Alternatives for leftover yarn that aren’t knitting or crochet
Ever wonder what to do with those tiny balls of yarn you end up with at the end of a project, as well as those little scraps you collect after cutting yarn tails that were too long?
I have a bag full of them at the moment. I started a jar to collect the tiny scraps of yarn cut from finished projects, which has made for a colourful decorative piece, but I wasn’t really sure what to do with the contents .This led me to think about all the possibilities out there for leftover yarn. As someone who tries to reduce waste wear I can, it’s important to not let my stash go to waste - even the little pieces!
So here are some suggestions for leftover yarn uses, that do not require knitting or crochet. The ideas have been grouped in vague categories:
Decorations
Finishing touches
Stuffing
Donating and Recycling
If you prefer watching over reading, I turned this blog post into an episode on my Youtube channel, which I have posted below here.
You might also be interested in other blogs and videos I have created relating to using up your yarn stash:
5 crochet projects to do with leftover yarn
5 knitting projects to do with leftover yarn
15 pattern ideas for leftover yarn (knitting and crochet)
DECORATIONS
Pom Poms
Pom Poms are a colourful and decorative way to use up your yarn. These Pom Poms can be strung together and hung up around the house, be used as Christmas tree decorations, attached to corners of blankets, or (as mentioned above) added to gift wraps.
I’ve even seen people wear them as earrings, which is great fun!
To make pom poms, you can either buy yourself a pom pom maker from your local craft stores like Michaels, Hobbycraft, Joann etc or make your own version using a couple of pieces of cardboard. I found some tutorials online. for all the different ways you can DIY pom poms!
Tassels
As with the Pom Poms, tassels are a small enough project to use leftover yarn. They can also be strung together and used for home decor and would also be a nice finishing touch to blankets and shawls.
Here’s a YouTube I followed of how to make tassels. The only other thing you’ll need is scissors.
Strinsel
I first saw this a few Christmas’s ago on social media. It looks great and definitely accommodates various yarn weights and colours. It looks like you wrap yarn around a long strip of cardboard, sew down the centre, cut the yarn and remove the cardboard (I’m sure much more detailed tutorials exist!) Really fun and obviously something that could be made and used outside of Christmas.
Yarn wrapped letters
I trialled making yarn-wrapped letters for the purpose of this blog and video episode. I had varying success but with lots of potential! I used an old cardboard box to cut of the letters and then simply started wrapping some cotton yarn around it. I think having a glue gun would make the process easier. But overall, I think it’s a good use of yarn and could make a great baby shower gift, if you know the name of the baby!
FINISHING TOUCHES
Gift wrapping
This is something that I have been doing for a few Christmases now. Instead of buying ribbon to add that decorative touch to wrapped gifts, I have been using yarn! This makes your gift-making more unique, without costing you any extra!
You could use a single strand, or multiple strands, in multiple colours to tie together and make the gifts really eye-catching. I find using colourful yarn against a backdrop of kraft paper makes for a minimalist, yet fun look! If you have enough yarn, you could attach a Pom Pom too, which has the added bonus of being a nice keepsake for the gift receiver to use as they wish.
Embroidery
On Pinterest, when researching for this post, I saw this cool embroidery ideas. Using a bulky weight yarn, embroidering a name, or any word, onto a knit or crochet sweater. I think the end result looks really stylish and store bought. So consider making this the final finishing touch to a hand knit garment. It would work particularly well on kids clothing.
Keep scrolling for two more categories!
Some pom poms and bunting I have previously made from leftover yarn
Tassel earrings that I made with leftover cotton yarn
STUFFING
Do you make amigurumi, throw pillows or items that require stuffing? I think using leftover yarn could be just the thing to help you out! I understand they may not work so well for toys, or anything meant to be cuddled or laid on, as it might not feel so soft and squishy as usual stuffing, but even in those cases, they might be effective for stuffing the little nooks and crannies in smaller projects.
Using leftover yarn could save you money from buying more stuffing too
DONATE OR RECYCLE
Recycle
Not sold on any of the above? How about sending your leftovers away to be reused? Better yet, get a reward for doing so! Hedgehog Fibres have a recycling scheme whereby you can send your leftover yarn to them (mail paid for by you) and then, depending on the weight of the yarn, you will get varying levels of discount on future purchases of their yarn! What more could you want? I really love that this company offers this, as it promotes the idea of zero waste, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.
NOTE: I haven’t participated in this scheme yet, but I fully intend to once I think I have enough scraps worth sending off.
Donate
Local yarn libraries
In my neighbourhood in North Vancouver, there were a number of fibre/craft “libraries” on the streets. These are made by someone, with the idea that you can donate craft and fibre material, as well as take what you would like. You may have seen book versions of these, I think they are fairly common. They’re a great community idea, I would love to set up my own one day when I have a base.
Thrift stores and schools
Thrift stores/charity shops/op shops, whatever you call them, are a great opportunity to remove some yarn stash from your home, as well as excess needles, hooks and notions. It may be worth contacting a local school to see if they accept donations for their craft activities.
Knit nights
Start a yarn swap with local makers! If you are able to attend local ‘knit nights’ take along some yarn and see if anyone else in the group is interested it in!
One of the Fibre Libraries in North Vancouver!
I think there are plenty of other uses out there, these are just the ones that appeal to me the most and have also done almost all of these already. I’d love you to share your ideas in the comments below!