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Small projects to make use of leftover yarn
If you’ve got a growing pile of leftover yarn balls and tangled bits from past projects, you’re not alone—and you’re in luck. Those colorful scraps can turn into some of the most creative and satisfying crochet projects you’ll ever make. Whether you have a few yards or a few skeins, this guide will spark ideas to help you transform your yarn stash into useful, gift-worthy, and decorative pieces. Let’s turn that clutter into cozy!
Here are some stash-buster ideas to put that yarn to good use. Some of them can even be given as gifts!
Crochet a pet collar
If you have multiple colors to use you how about a charming necklace to adorn your four legged friend/ family member?
This pattern uses small amounts of three yarn colors to create a unique pet collar that will have your pet in style in about an hour or two.
I can’t lie, it’s so pretty as a statement necklace I may or may not have tried it on my own neck!
Link to free pattern make a crochet pet collar.
Try a free sample of my
project tracker page
Crochet wristlet and phone holder
This extremely useful project has a no stretch strap and is customizable to fit your device or make it just big enough for say, you doggie bags and valuables when you go on walks or run errands. I cannot be without this wristlet. Once you have it you won’t want to be without it either. Use two colors of yarn in small amounts to make this practical make.
Crochet splatter cover to absorb more oil
Use up 100% cotton yarn scraps to make a grease trap on top of your splatter screen (we all know they don’t really prevent many splatters). Cotton will absorb the oily splatters but let steam escape.
Think about when you fry chicken or bacon, use a lid over your fry pan which creates steam, insert a splatter screen with a crochet cotton screen cover on top of it to keep oil from splattering upwards and lid steam from falling into cooking oil. It is a game changer believe me!
Make several in sizes just shy of the circumference of the pans you use. Use Dawn dish detergent or simple green to break up the grease before laundering.
Looks won’t matter so you can mix and match up all your bits of leftover cotton yarn
See the spiral crochet splatter screen cover pattern here.
Make a seasonal wreath with leftover yarn
Don’t let your eyes deceive you. These yarn balls are not all yarn. The yarn is wound around balls of paper so little yarn is needed to make a fulsome wreath.
Think about making a small version for the bathroom, office or kitchen.
Get the free DIY instructions for this gorgeous wreath from Cherished Bliss DIY wreath.
Try my project tracker page for free!
Crochet pan handle covers
I designed a modern looking iron skillet or metal handle cover for your pans and skillets. Customize the length so all your pand handles are safe and prevent you (or whomever you gift it to) don’t get burned palms. They can be easily pulled off thanks to the ring when you have to transfer your pan to the oven to finish cooking steaks or other seared items, cornbread, etc. Just remember to put it back on after you have your pan back out of the oven.
Crochet dishcloth with leftover yarn
My most used dishcloth is one that has scraps from three balls of cotton! I use it exclusively for my cast iron. My favorite crochet dishcloth pattern is here. It uses the lemon peel stitch for great texture.
Scrap yarn apple coasters
These cheery bright crochet apple coasters use very small amounts of different yarn colors.
Add a touch of handmade charm to your kitchen or coffee table with these adorable crochet apple coasters. They’re the perfect way to use up small balls of red, green, or yellow yarn—great for fall décor, teacher gifts, or cozy apple-picking season vibes. Use them under mugs, candles, or mini planters to protect surfaces and add a pop of seasonal color. These quick and easy scrap yarn projects work up fast and make a thoughtful set for housewarmings or autumn gatherings.
Make face scrubbies with cotton yarn scraps
Face scrubbies can be made from cotton yarn. Use them for yourself, your family or give as gifts. I have made gift sets with scrubbies, soap and other toiletries to create a nice housewarming basket.
There are different styles you can make. If you like this one you can find the pattern on Dessert Blossom Crafts website.
Crochet baby blanket with leftover yarn
This blanket uses small amounts of colored yarn to make a sweet blanket that all marry well together with one main color. Here white is used to harmonize multiple colors. Think primary color rainbow, earth tones, shades of blue, etc.
See the sweet dreams rainbow baby blanket free pattern.
Crochet bookmarks use up scrap yarn
There are loads of creative bookmark designs and all of them are the right size for using up scrap yarn.
Consider making one or two to go with a book you’re giving as a gift to add an extra personal touch.
This whimsical pencil bookmark can be found at Knot My Designs.
My boho bookmarks with fringe are a fun way to make an eye-catching gift-worthy crochet bookmark if you have some wood notions in your craft box. See my post on how to use all those wood rings you may have in your stash and incorporate them into your crochet projects.
Crochet multi colored coasters
This style of crochet coaster uses two colors of yarn. If you have lots of cotton scrap yarn colors you can do a whole rainbow assortment.
The free pattern by Hooked on Patterns is available crochet spiral coaster.
My sunburst coasters pattern combines three complementary colors to create a fast and easy beautiful design.
Crochet a spa style headband
This is another small project that can be given as a gift or as part of a gift. What woman doesn’t need a headband in the bathroom for face washing and makeup application?
I find some stretchy bands too narrow, too tight or leave a dent in my hair. None of that is an issue with a crochet spa headband.
Get the free pattern from Pattern Paradise crochet spa headband pattern.
If you would like a full spa set check out my luxe waffle spa three piece set along with several ways to package it up as a lovely gift.
Stash buster crochet slippers
I have several pair of crochet slippers and even for my long feet they don’t use a lot of yarn especially if you do two tone. You can stash bust two different leftover yarns.
This Branwen crochet slipper pattern two tone slipper design is super cute.
