Clever Ways to Use Up Leftover Yarn

Dear users, dear authors,
Do you have lots of leftover yarn? Here you’ll find the right patterns that you can download right away. Get started now.

@Authors,
no quantity limit. Don’t forget links, images, info, etc.

Leftover yarn piles up in mysterious ways when you do a lot of crafting.
Here you’ll find a few patterns that let you give it a useful purpose and create new creations again...
Have fun browsing :)

Just in time for the coming spring, here are the patterns for two different versions of Easter eggs, each requiring less than 5g of material per color from a cotton yarn with a yardage of 125m/50g.

   Colorful Easter Eggs

   Easter Eggs with a Little Flower Pattern

Small stick rattles can also be made wonderfully with leftover yarn, and there are various models of those in my shop too:

Stick Rattle Clown Pippa   

Stick Rattle Giraffe Glückskind   

   Stick Rattle Zebra

Have fun crocheting!

Dishcloths - trivets - potholders

These crocheted cloths are versatile helpers in the kitchen. You can crochet up smaller leftover yarn scraps row by row. Basic knowledge of single crochet, chain stitches, half double crochet, and double crochet is required.

Crochet Pattern Dishcloth

Doll shoes don't need much yarn and are quick to knit. This model is knitted with a set of double-pointed needles, and depending on the yarn length and needle size, you can adjust the sole length.

Knitting pattern for doll shoes

All leftover yarn made into a tablecloth

For this tablecloth, the individual flowers are crocheted and joined to the ones already finished in the final round. This way it keeps growing steadily, and you can keep changing the shape and size.





Once you have crocheted the last flower, a border is crocheted around it to give it a beautiful finish.

Click here for the pattern

For Rolli the Party Pig
you will need 50g of cotton yarn as well as lots of leftover cotton yarn. This lets you customize the lid cover and the party hat. 
The cute little pig can be used as a lid cover or simply on its own as a good-luck charm. It has looped hands for giving gift certificates or money. You can fill the jar with candy, small gifts, e.g. hand-knitted socks or similar, creating an original and reusable gift package. 

Here you’ll find the pattern and all the important details!

Leftover yarn can always be put to good use for doll clothes, and little dress-up dolls always need new outfits!



How about this enchanting peacock dress, especially now during ball season? It will turn any little doll into the queen of the ball!

There is a beautiful fan and headpiece to match the dress.
You can find the crochet pattern for the “Peacock Princess” ball gown here!


The colorful rainbow dress is also perfect for crocheting up small, colorful leftover yarn. You can crochet it in a short and a long version.

You can also crochet a small pouch as a matching accessory.
Here is the crochet pattern for the rainbow dress!


You can make four different dresses with the following crochet pattern:

What they all have in common is the small cowl neckline, which makes it possible to make the dress without buttons or other fasteners.
Here you can find the crochet pattern for the 4 dresses with cowl necklines!

And for those who want to crochet something for the dolls to wear “underneath,” there is a pattern for this extensive lingerie set:

It consists of a bra, 2 different pairs of panties, a babydoll top, and a negligee. All pieces can be mixed and matched.
Click here for the pattern for the lingerie set!

With leftover cotton yarn (yardage 125 m / 50 g) in various colors, you can knit this fun dishcloth. A must-have for every dog lover :-) It is knitted in double-face, so it looks great on both sides. If you crochet it a little larger, you can of course also make potholders from it.


Since the cloth isn’t very large, it’s a great beginner project for the double-face knitting technique.

Here’s the pattern.

This unicorn appliqué is also crocheted using just a little cotton in various colors. It’s ideal for sewing onto a knitted or crocheted dress, a gym bag, a pillow, etc. 



Click here for the pattern.

The following designs are wonderfully suited for using up leftover yarn:

1) "Sweet Little Chicks" - cute chickens, not just for Easter.
The chickens' bodies are made with double stitches - which makes them wonderful for embroidering.

Go to the pattern




2) The cuddly chickens "Berta and Gundel" look great on an Easter branch, door wreath, window, etc., but the two are also eye-catchers as bag charms or keychains.
Go to the pattern



3) Cute egg cozy hens, just like Grandma used to have.
Go to the pattern




4) These cute bunnies are very sweet, simple, and quick to make.
Go to the pattern



5) …of course, Lady "Gagack" and her chatty friends must not be missing.
Egg cozy, shelf sitter, or cute table decoration - also great for hiding a few Easter eggs underneath.
Go to the pattern






6) Quick to make and very decorative are these cute decorative garlands. The motifs can be combined with each other however you like; you can also crochet a garland with only hearts or only flowers, for example. The garland is crocheted in one "go," works up super fast, and you only need a few bits of leftover yarn.
Go to the pattern




7) Cute set consisting of a hat, basket, and flip-flops - as a keychain or bag charm.
Go to the pattern




8) Playful, romantic bag charm - consisting of a sun hat and flip-flops, also with room for your shopping cart token or euro coin.
Go to the pattern




9) Choker and wrap bracelet - 3 chic motifs in a value set
The pieces of jewelry are super comfortable to wear, perfect for summer, and also beautiful with traditional dress, e.g., for Oktoberfest, etc. Lengthened or shortened accordingly, the respective bracelet or choker can also become a cute anklet or belt.

Go to the pattern



10) … and now I'll show you a special method for quickly and easily making chic bangles with very little material. All you need is an old PET bottle and some yarn - and with a little skill, you'll have a truly unique piece of jewelry. Also great as a gift or little present to bring along.
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Design "Tourmaline"
Go to the pattern



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Design "Criss-Cross"
Go to the pattern



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Design "colorful with rhinestones"
Go to the pattern



You can find more bangle designs and leftover yarn patterns in my shop.

This winter set for babies is knitted from leftover sock yarn and is easy to make. Here you’ll also get to know the simple mowi heel.

Go to the knitting pattern




Doll clothes are always a hit, and they’re a great way to use up leftover yarn. Here you’ll find several models that you’ll enjoy and that fit dolls—and usually teddies too—with a size of 45–50 cm.

A sweet pair of leggings for dolls that is easy to knit:

Go to the knitting pattern




This pretty cardigan with the hat was also knitted from leftover yarn with RVO. Any doll mom will be delighted, no matter how old she is.

Go to the knitting pattern




Two different styles of doll pants—simple and quick.

Go to the knitting pattern




This Schlüttli matches the pants perfectly and looks simply adorable on a doll.

Go to the knitting pattern




And the pullover with the side button placket also matches the pants perfectly.

Go to the knitting pattern

These stash busters love all your leftover yarn best. They use it to conjure up practical containers that can be used at children's birthday parties, for example, and bring joy. They’re also great for presenting small gifts. They can be used in many ways, and it’s so much fun to get creative here.
A great project for beginners.

To the crochet pattern




A sweater with a matching sleeping bag (swaddle sack) for teddies and dolls (35–40 cm) - easy to knit and an ideal gift. 

To the knitting pattern




A headband is quick to knit.  Lots of colorful leftover yarn can be used here. And along the way, you’ll learn a very pretty, unusual lace pattern.

To the knitting pattern




These baby shoes with a heart can also be crocheted very quickly from leftover yarn - in any color you like. That gives you a lovely little gift right away that will bring joy.

To the crochet pattern




A small shopping bag for toddlers, filled with lemons and carrots - that’s sure to make toddlers happy. They can use it to stock their play store or even help with the shopping.
All pieces are quick and easy to crochet from leftover yarn.

To the crochet pattern




These cute striped pants for teddies (40 cm) are a great beginner project that can be knitted from small amounts of leftover yarn. They even have a hole for the little tail.

To the knitting pattern




I knitted these summer clothes for my Fynn (25–30 cm teddy). He looks absolutely adorable in them. Both pieces are well suited for beginners and are very easy to knit yourself.

To the knitting pattern




And here’s another little jacket for the small teddies. My Charly (20–25 cm) looks sweet as can be in it.

To the crochet pattern here

These matching wrist warmers are great for knitting with leftover Merino yarn. Well suited for beginners with basic skills and quick to knit.

Go to the knitting pattern




This headband for babies was made from scraps left over from a little dress and looks absolutely adorable. It can be knitted in any length.

Go to the knitting pattern




Little gnomes can be crocheted from leftover yarn and used in many different ways: as gift packaging, as toys, for storing small items, and also as an Advent calendar. 
Here you can use up lots of leftover yarn and at the same time have a cute decoration or a lovely gift.

Go to the crochet pattern




These cute door hangers are a huge hit with kids. They love hanging the little bear or the owl on the door and clearly signaling whether they want visitors or not. They’re also great for the restroom or bathroom—fun for the whole family.

Go to the crochet pattern for the door guardian bear




Go to the crochet pattern for the door guardian owl

The Ballerina bookmark is perfect for all lovers of real books and is very easy and quick to crochet.

Difficulty level: very easy



You can find the pattern for the bookmark here



You can easily and quickly crochet many different flowers from leftover yarn and use them in lots of ways as appliqués and decorations.
Difficulty level: very easy



You can find the crochet pattern for the flowers here

This beautiful headband is also ideal for milder winter days—and you can knit it with less than 1 ball of yarn!




Click here for the knitting pattern

Crocheting around these tin cans has really helped me use up my stash of cotton yarn, and I’ve made quite a few little gifts.

Whether as a flower vase, like here with snowdrops, as a pencil holder, for my button collection, or for lace ribbons... there are many different ways to fill the cans.

You should be familiar with single crochet, chain stitches, slip stitches, half double crochet, and double crochet. The pattern includes many pictures, which make it easier for beginners to follow along. 

Click here to go to the pattern

Super quick and easy to crochet, and also perfect for using up leftover yarn, are these crochet patterns.

1. Bag charm bunny Polly and little bear Paule



2. Key straps



3. Keychains, little ghosts



4. colorful Easter eggs on the meadow



5. Bunny Quadrolino



6. Little strawberry basket