Stash-busting knit and crochet project ideas -

If you knit or crochet, you have probably accumulated some extra and leftover yarns from different projects. They are too short for a full-size project, colors are not exactly trendy, with different yarn weights so it is hard to just follow one pattern and use them all.

Below we have some ideas to “recycle” the yarns, and make them usable again. The challenge is to find projects that are easy enough to start and adapt for different sizes, but still interesting enough to knit or crochet so you actually enjoy finishing a project.

Watch our video about the stash-busting knitting and crochet project ideas

Preparing the yarn

You can organize your yarn stash by color, by weight, or by fiber. I have many blue tone yarn balls, a lot of pinks, and neutrals. They are different shades, but can still go together.

I mixed 2 thin yarns together to make a thicker yarn and try to wind them all into a ball. It will be slightly thick and thin yarn and create an interesting texture and color change.

One idea is to use a cardboard tube (from toilet paper or paper towel is fine), cut a slit, and insert the yarn end there as a starting point to wind your own yarn. This is optional, but it makes the winding process easier.

If you have a yarn winder, it will create a very even and neat yarn ball.

For hand winding, make sure to turn the tube regularly so the yarn will spread out evenly.

Another useful tool is a digital scale. A kitchen scale will work the same way.

Find out the weight in oz or gram, and you can estimate the yardage or meter. If you have the label with the yarn information, you can calculate easily and find out the length per gram or per oz. If you don’t have the label, you can still estimate based on the thickness of the yarn.

For example, the worsted weight yarn is about 200-250 yard per 100 g ball (3.5 oz). You can find the information from similar yarns on the internet or Ravelry.com. This helps you decide the right size of the project to make.

The joint (Russian joint)

There are many ways to join new yarn. One method I like recently is to sew the ends together either with a sewing machine or hand sewing. Just sew a few stitches, it will be very secure and less noticeable if you use a similar color thread.

A more traditional and still reliable method is the Russian joint. See the pictures below. You cross the 2 yarn ends, thread through a tapestry needle (sharper tip is nicer in this case), then thread the needle back through the center of the same yarn for 1-2 inches. Pull tight. Repeat on the other yarn, and cut off extra yarn ends.

Stash busting project and stitch ideas

Some simple stash-busting knitting or crocheting project ideas.

Below are 3 favorite knitting stitches for a classic and mindless project. They are reversible, don’t curl on the edges, and are beginner-friendly.

Garter stitch
Ribbing
Seed stitch

Project idea 1: Seed stitch scarf or infinity scarf.

I cast on 33 stitches with a 6 mm circular knitting needle. Then, just *(k1, P1), repeat * until the end, end with a Knit stitch.

Knit until the length you like(maybe 50 inches) and bind off.

If you cast on an odd number of stitches (eg, 33 stitches here), you start and end with a knit stitch on every row (front and back sides). That makes the knitting project very easy and mindless.

For an infinity scarf, you can start with a provisional cast-on and do a Kitchener stitch to join the other end. Or join ends with a 3-needle bind-off.

Project idea 2: Simple crochet scarf with multicolor yarn.

Crochet project tends to go faster than knitting. It also produces a dense fabric. It is perfect for home projects such as a pillow, bedspread, wall hanging, or an area rug.

Below the project is made with only 1 crochet stitch but looks complicated because of the multi-textured yarn.

Project idea 3: A tube scarf with plain stockinette stitch

This scarf is made of plain stockinette stitch (Knit on the outside, and purl on the backside). You can knit in the round to avoid the seam, or knit a flat piece and sew up the side.

This will prevent curling, hide yarn ends, and you can have different sections of yarn for color change.