18 summer knit and crochet patterns for stash-busting 2025
This year I’ve been on a mission to work through my yarn stash—especially those small leftover balls and souvenir skeins that we all hang onto 'just in case.' With summer arriving in the Northern hemisphere, it’s the perfect time to dive into lightweight, stash-busting projects that help use up our stash.
Today I’m sharing summer knitting and crochet patterns that I’ve have found through Ravelry. They look not only fun to make, but also great for clearing out your stash without buying new yarn.
All the patterns I’m sharing in this blog post, I have also saved into a Ravelry summer stash-busting patterns bundle. I’ll continue to add to them as I find summer patterns.
If you would prefer something more visual, I also published a summer pattern round-up video on my Youtube channel. You can find it right below this text!
Interested in more stash-busting pattern round-ups? Check out these other blog posts:
Leftover yarn and stash-down ideas, that aren’t crochet or knitting
For the full list of leftover yarn blogs, checkout this link: leftover yarn series.
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Keep scrolling for more patterns…..
This post contains both knitting and crochet patterns. I grouped the 18 patterns into three very broad categories:
Bags
Garments
Accessories*
*Yes, I do acknowledge that bags are accessories too, but that was my system!
How I pick the patterns I include here:
For the summer specific - light clothing, cover ups, sleeveless. Accessories like shorty socks, bags and head accessories. Most likely made with a cotton or plant based fibre, as that is a cooler fabric. Although a light merino may also be good for some light layers.
What makes it stash busting? One skein only, has splashes of colour, or is multicoloured. Opportunity to alternate skeins, if you have half balls etc, or smaller scraps where there are pops of colour.
From top to bottom, left to right: Sundial tee by Wool and Pine, So Summer shorts by Jessie Made, Bondi beach kindle holder by Down Under Stitches, Summer vibes by This Handmade Life, Summer hat by Anna Virginia, Citrus Summer sweater by Lovely by Lee, Judoka by Lia Moya and Cruel summer bandana by Rebecca Palmer.
BAGS
Palm beach cross-body bag - Tasha Margette - crochet - $8 CAD
I do love a cross body bag these days - I have a daily obsession of my uniqulo one (even though the zip is pretty much broke, I can’t part with it), but i could do with something more fun and colourful like this granny stitch crochet one!
Summer days daisy bag - All About Ami - crochet - $7 CAD
A classic granny square style bag with a floral twist. It would make for a great looking accessory for markets, parks or beach days!
Judoka - Lia Moya in pom pom mag - knitted - $21 CAD (for the whole whole mag)
Knit with three different colours., the bag is knit flat in one piece in garter stitch to form a rectangle that is then folded and sewn on two sides to create the bag shape. I love the stripy, yet minimal stylishness of this bag.
GARMENTS
Honeycomb beach cover up dress - Susanna Biaye - crochet - $10 CAD
I absolutely love the look of this dress! Crocheted with DK weight yarn, I feel like you could mix up the colours for this, incorporating whatever colours you wanted as you work the piece. The dress is designed in for 32 to 64 inch bust.
So Summer Shorts - Jessie Maed Designs - knit - $13 CAD
I’ll be honest, I didn’t need to search Ravelry for this pattern, I’m a big fan of this size-inclusive designer! Though on the face of it, this may not hit the stash busting criteria for the majority of sizes, I wanted to include them, because they are so summery and I am a big fan of this designer’s patterns. I saw one project that had done blocks of colour on each leg, so that’s a way the pattern can be adapted for leftover yarn.
Joseph shorts - What Morgan Makes - crochet - $13 CAD
I thought these were pretty fun! The description says these crochet shorts are designed to be oversized, but can be altered to your preference. I was drawn in by how colourful they are, you could really get creative with this pattern. The pattern uses aran weight yarn and is designed from sizes XS to 5XL. It looks like there is a matching tee too!
Summer pathways tee - Craft and Cuppa - crochet - $9 CAD
This designer is from my part of the UK, which i love, but aside from that, she has very colourful crochet deigns, you should check her out! I was drawn to this tee just because it does look so summery, i have a lot of high waisted bottoms and skirts, i think this top could work really well with those. Designed with cotton, aran weight yarn.
Citrus summer sweater - Lovely by Lee- knitting - $13 CAD
This is a newer pattern from Lovely by Lee that I saw it on instagram first. I think it’s very eye catching and it’s giving me summer garden party vibes! Imagine holding a Pimms around the bbq kind of vibe. I can really see how it came to be called citrus summer with this pattern stitch.
Sundial tee - Wool and Pine - knitting - $12 CAD
By another favourite designer of mine - Wool and Pine. They tend to design with yarn stash-busting in mind and this is no exception. Knit with fingering weight yarn it is 36 rows of mosaic knitting. The description says you only need 6-13g of yarn per colour - it couldn’t be more perfect for scrap yarns!
Keep scrolling for Accessories…..
From top to bottom, left to right: Summer girl socks by Sari Nordland, Summer Days Daisy bag by All About Ami, Summer Pathways tee by Craft and Cuppa, Joseph shorts by What Morgan Makes, Summer Camp kerchief by Ashley R Adams, Boho Summer Lampion lampshade by Elealinda Designs, Summer Breeze sunhat by Anna Egan and Honeycomb beach cover up dress by Susanna Biaye
ACCESSORIES
Bondi beach kindle holder - Down Under Stitches - crochet - $3 CAD
I thought this was great, the perfect beach and park, accessory! I have an e-reader and do get tired trying to hold it up while lying on the beach, so perhaps I’ll give this a go!
I love summer shawl - Sandra Paul - crochet - $9 CAD
I don’t know if this shawl is quite my style, but I am including it in here because i love the idea of the multicolour hearts that are adorning the main shawl pattern.
Summer breeze sunhat - Anne Egan - crochet - free
This hat looks like it would provide the perfect shade for your face when put and about in the sun! You can probably already guess why i picked this particular one. The stripes would be perfect for scrap yarn!
Summer hat - Anna Virginia - crochet - free
This one i just thought was cute for any babies in your life. Designed with worsted weight cotton yarn, it can be all one colour or have some stripes in it.
Summer vibes - This Handmade Life - knitting - $5 CAD
I love the retro vibe of these ankle socks. I picked ankle socks because i feel like they are more of a summer thing.. it’s the millennial in me - i know the fashion is much more about the white sport sock! Any way, love these. A great way to use up sock yarn from other projects.
Boho summer lampion lampshade - Elealinda-Design - crochet - $6 CAD
I wasn’t necessarily looking for anything like these, but because my initial search in Ravelry patterns was very broad and just ‘summer’, as i was scrolling the pages I saw these. They would be such eye catching decoration to have in hanging in the garden. They use a sport weight, but I guess you could use any weight, it would just impact the final size.
Cruel summer bandana - Rebecca Palmer - crochet - free
I unexpectedly got really into the bandana patterns this year after looking for portable projects! This bandana is inspired by that Taylor Swift dress. It’s effectively half a granny square, so I imagine it would be very quick to make.
Summer girl socks - Sari Nordland - knitting - $8 CAD
This one is the perfect pattern for those souvenir sock yarns. I don’t know about you, but if I visit a yarn store and want to get a souvenir it is usually sock yarn, or stitch markers, because i know i can easily knit socks with one skein and not need to buy multiple quantities and it saves space in my luggage. I love the frill on these, and, as demonstrated by the designer, i think they make a perfect sock and sandal combination!
And finally….
Summer camp kerchief - Ashley R. Adams - knitting - $8 CAD
This cute little scarf makes the perfect stylish accessory to your summer outfits. Better yet, it uses just one skein of fingering weight yarn.
I hope you enjoyed this round-up of summer stash-busting patterns. I’d love to know: what’s your favourite stash-busting project, or what yarn leftovers are you trying to use up right now? Drop a comment below and let’s chat.
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Check out my other leftover yarn pattern round-up blog posts here: https://wanderandcreatewithemma.com/blogs?tag=leftover%20yarn
All the patterns mentioned in this blog, are also linked to on my Ravelry ‘Summer stash-busting’ board.
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!