15 patterns for leftover yarn (knit and crochet)

Written By Emma Hughes
6 images of suggested patterns for left over yarn

From top, left to right: Scrap eater socks, minis in a blanket, granny sqaure sweater, alone together sweater, skinny picot headband, scrap heap shorties socks.

This year I have an aim to spend more time working through my yarn stash, over collecting more yarn.

I recently conducted a thorough review of my stash, and the total weight (not including works in progress) came to 3.5kg! Quite a manageable amount, and I would say the majority of it is smaller balls of yarn leftover from other projects.

So this week, I have been research patterns that I think would be great stash-busting yarn projects. I have 15 to share with you in this post. Selected either because they have been designed specifically with scrap yarn in mind, or because I think they could be hacked to incorporate multicolour yarn!

If you prefer to watch, I have published a video showcasing all these pattern ideas, which you can watch just below.

If you’re looking for more leftover yarn inspiration, including ideas for leftover yarn, that aren’t knitting or crochet, you might be interested in my scrap yarn series.

I grouped the patterns into 3 very broad categories. This post contains both knitting and crochet patterns - So let’s get stuck in!

  1. Garments

  • Alone together sweater - Laerke Bagger FREE - KNITTING

    This pattern is designed intentionally for using up different yarn. Simply tying yarn together to make a big ball. The knitwear designer has used a base colour, mixing in other yarn to give the occasional stripe effect, but I’d be keen to see what a sweater like this, with lots of yarn just tied together into a ball would look like.

The sweater is designed for any gauge, and made to measure. The only factor that might make it slightly trickier to follow is that the pattern is published across a series of Instagram stories, but I’ve taken a look and it’s not too bad to follow.

I have followed this pattern so many times, I recommend it to any beginner knitter looking to make their first sweater. Available in sizes baby to adult., up to 5XL.  This pattern is also available in lighter weight yarns too

This design is all one colour, but there’s nothing stopping you using this as a base to make a stripey sweater! 

Made to measure pattern for any size. Designer used worsted weight, but can be calculated to sny weight.designers users 17 different colours in their sample. Cardigan version also available.

Another made to measure sweater! If you look at the project page on Ravelry, you’ll find alot of colour inspo, looks like it could easily become a leftover yarn version. This is made with worsted weight yarn, but as long as your holding enough strands of other weight yarn to meet gauge, have fun with it!


2. Blankets/ Home Decor

This is a free pattern, available on the Hedgehog Fibres website. The blanket is designed to a DK weight, achieved by holding 2 Fingering weight strands together. It’s constructed in four panels, designed with linen stitch and joined together to form the blanket.

I made this blanket for one of my nephews, it was my first faded project and I really enjoyed making it.

Another blanket that can be made with any weight, to any size. The pattern is on the designers website, they’ve held 3 strands of yarn together to create this colourful effect. I think it’ll be quite an easy one for beginners too.

Similar faded vibe, but knitting rather than crochet. Made my holding together strands of yarn to get worsted weight. All sorts of yarn. It’s a simple garter stitch, so I think this one would make a nice meditative knit.

This colourful blanket, that looks exactly as described is made of individual mitred squares. I didn’t know what a mitred sqaure was until I saw this pattern, but the sqaures are knit from the outside, going in. As you can see from the pattern, you really can use any colour you want, just joining new yarn as you go. Again, I think you can use any weight yarn, the square size only impacts how many you make to get to the blanket size you want.

I selected this pattern because it seems like a easy and decorative knitting project! Simply a series of knitted triangles strung together. Great for around your home, or even a patio! Make as long as you want or need. 

We know i love this pattern, i made a baby blanket version for my latest nephew and in a video I posted recently I said I wanted to make it as a cushion cover…what I didn’t realise is that there is a pattern published specifically as a cushion cover! Unless I subconsciously did and that’s where the ideas came from. 

Great use of scrap yarn, especially if you’re up for making a colourful version. 

Keep scrolling for Accessories (including socks!)

All the patterns mentioned in this blog, are also liked to on my Ravelry ‘Scrappy patterns’ board.

6 patterns knit and crochet for leftover yarn

From top left to right: flat crochet socks, bunting, stash-busting crochet blanket, ultimate stash-busting sweater, stained-glass blanket, stella quilt cushion.

3. Accessories

 This is a small crochet project, that looks like it’s made with worsted weight cotton yarn. It’s designed in sizes from baby to adult. The free version on their website has photo tutorials too.

I’ve probably mentioned this before in a previous blog post, but in general Wool and Pine are great for producing patterns that work for leftover yarn. I’m obsessed with the look of this shawl and it’s brioche knitting, which haven’t done before, so that wuld be a fun challenge for 2025.

3.a Socks (they deserve their own sub-category!)

Designed in adult sizes small, medium and large, these socks are made my striping scrap yarn.   The columns create this blended effect, the perfect scrappy sock!

The fun, colour-blocked socks are knit toe-up. Colour blocks are worked with intarsia knitting in the round, so all a good projecdt if you fancy a new challenge. 

This pattern only seems to be available on Etsy. The pattern description says that there are video tutorials available and is described as being for beginners. Designed for a range of adult sizes and made with Dk weight yarn.

Image from youtube thumbnail

I hope that helps you and sparks some inspiration to dive into your yarn stash and get making. If you’re also aiming to work through your stash this year, you might be keen to subscribe to my newsletter to see how Im getting on and for more leftover yarn project content!

What’s on your project list this year? Share any ideas you have in the comments!

Emma Hughes
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