Stashbusters Scrap Yarn Projects

If you're drowning in yarn scraps that you can't bear to trash, let this be your intervention. The madness must stop!

I know too well what it's like to be buried in too much of a good thing. Many of you out there are in the same boat - some of you don't want to see good yarn go to waste, and some of you just love the variation in stashbusting projects. You've come to the right place.

How did you get that stash? Are you an avid knitter or crocheter? Good news, I've got lists for you both so you can exercise your skills to the max and make every yard and meter count, like the scarf I knit off to your left. Don't knit or crochet? Don't worry! I've included a list of projects that require no needles or hooks just for you.

Let the power of craft compel you to bust that stash!

There are many ways to dwindle down that stash. The main options are modular construction, creating your own yarn, and rethinking the way you use yarn in your patterns.

The three main ideas are outlined below with a few links to relevant tutorials to get you started. Keep in mind that these are only starting off points for your yarn adventures.

Modular knitting is a fantastic way to use up small scraps, play with color, and redesign to your hearts content. This technique allows you to create repeating shapes, usually knit or crocheted separately, then joined after to form anything you wish. This concept is not at all new but is starting to be "rediscovered" in ways other than the traditional granny square. People are now experimenting with new shapes, curves, and methods of construction.

Crochet has the advantage of being a more fluid form of construction. You can easily create shapes in any geometric shape from the inside out or from side to side. Knitting in the round can mimic the same shapes as well as cleverly using increases and decreases to manipulate shapes.

Any repeating shape will work as long as they fit together. They can be joined as you go or seamed together at the end. This is an excellent way to create blankets, shawls and scarves since you can create the shapes as you accumulate yarn scraps.

Don't pay for fancy textured or variegated yarn when you can make your own at home using what you already have. Simply lay out all your scraps and arrange in the order that is most pleasing to you. If you're feeling daring, draw them blind from a bag and let the chips fall where they may. It's as easy as tying a few knots. When finished, wind into a ball using a swift and ball winder or roll by hand. Now you're ready to knit anything with more flair.

Want a smoother join? Try the Russian join technique. This is a method of joining yarn ends to create one smooth transition without knots. The picture is from Knittinganyway.com where they have a full picture tutorial if you need the extra push to get started.

Another method that is even easier is joining as you go. As you near the last few inches of yarn, simply knit or crochet with two yarns held together until the first is finished and keep going with the second. There will be no ends to weave in this way and it is much quicker. Alternately, you can craft entire pieces holding two yarns held together, adding new yarns as old ones run out. Using a united color palette using this method will result in a cohesive overall color scheme while still being spontaneous.

For as many "stashbusting" patterns as there are out there, there are even more possibilities to use up your stash without special instructions. Don't be afraid to knit a sweater that everyone else is knitting in a single color in big, bold stripes of what you have. Crochet a single square in a special color. Throw in a few hundred yards of a special wool in your next hooked rug. All it takes is a little splash of something unexpected to take your next project to the moon.

And don't overlook patterns that were born for scrap! I'll bet you that was exactly the scenario that led to fair isle and intarsia knitting. What about your favorite granny square blankets? Got lots of the same type of yarn? That's perfect for these types of patterns, like the free Checked Cowl Pattern pictured here.

No dangerous hooks or needles here so you can craft without fear! Here are a few projects that make use of stash yarn but can be done by any skill level. No need to know how to knit or crochet.

Yarn Balls

These are a fun way to easily use up extra scraps. Either wind yarn into balls and tie off or glue down to stay intact. Alternately, you can wind the yarn around small foam balls and glue in place. Yarn balls of any size can be used to create some of the following fun projects.

• String together to create garlands
• Use wire and a wreath form to create holiday wreathes
• Attach strands of garland to a main lead to create hanging dividers
• Small balls can be arranged by size and housed in collage boxes as wall art
• Can't forget that simple yarn balls (without glue) are the OG cat toys

Pom Poms

Yarn Pom Poms are a great project because they are fun on their own but also create the base for lots of projects. They can be used as to create any of the above projects as well as accessories, gift wrapping and a whole lot more.