Scrap Animals: Making Animals from Leftover Yarn, Fabric, and Paper

Dear users, dear authors,
Looking for new animal patterns for your craft zoo? Download the best patterns for using scraps now. Have fun!

@Authors:
2–3 patterns per author are enough. Don’t forget to include links, pictures, information, etc.

You can crochet absolutely charming finger puppets from leftover yarn, and use them to enchant little children again and again. They fit in any pocket, so they can be taken anywhere. That way they make long car or train rides, waiting times at the doctor’s office, or rainy afternoons feel shorter.

Here’s a small selection:
Finger puppets: hippo, lion, little monkey

Finger puppets: elephant, giraffe, crocodile

Finger puppets: hedgehog pair Anny and Bruno

Want more finger puppets? Then click here!


When someone in the family wants to work or play in peace in their room, that’s not always easy in a household with toddlers. After all, keys are usually a no-go in such situations. 

The solution is these two cute door guards, which are simply hung on the door handle. Depending on which side they are showing, you may open the door or not. They’re especially popular with children and make a truly great gift that’s sure to bring joy—not just at Christmas.

You can choose whichever you like best and prefer to crochet—a bear or an owl. Both patterns are also available in a value pack. Both can be crocheted very easily from colorful leftover yarn and customized creatively. Also very suitable for beginners with basic skills; the pattern explains every single step.

Go to the crochet pattern for the value pack



Go to the crochet pattern for the Door Guard Bear



Go to the crochet pattern for the Door Guard Owl

If you have leftover sponge yarn or other yarn, you can crochet these little winter birds very easily and quickly. The little birdies are sure to find a suitable spot as decoration, and they also make a lovely little gift to bring along

Little winter birds

Do you have a few scraps in shades of brown, beige or earth tones left over from a larger project and would like to use them up? Why not make a little bull, which also works great as a keychain or bag charm? It’s also suitable as a decorative element for a 3D picture frame. The pattern even includes matching decorative flowers.
Click here for the pattern

For the
Elephantastic bag charms  you only need a few scraps of leftover yarn and a crochet hook, and you’re ready to get started!
They work up quickly, making them perfect as a last-minute gift!

The dogs can be crocheted quickly and easily from small amounts of leftover yarn.

Crocheted from sponge yarn, you can use them as handy little sponges for facial care.
Crocheted from other types of yarn, they can be used as appliqués to decorate clothing, pillows, gifts, and much more.



You can find the crochet pattern here

Do you have any other patterns?

Of course, there’s also something lovely for cat lovers:

Practical little wash pads made from a 9g leftover of fluffy sponge yarn:



Difficulty level: medium, for advanced crocheters

You can get the crochet pattern for the wash pads here

Are there more patterns available?

If you still have colorful leftover sponge yarn, you can crochet this cheerful bath caterpillar and bring a little one great joy:



The caterpillar is crocheted in spiral rounds using single crochet stitches—perfect for beginners and for more experienced crocheters who want to work on something simple in between projects.

You can find the crochet pattern for the fun bath caterpillar here