Upcycling scraps: making clever use of leftover yarn, fabric scraps, paper scraps + cardboard scraps

Dear users, dear authors,
here you’ll find tips for using up your scraps, leftover yarn, fabric scraps, paper scraps and cardboard scraps. Have fun upcycling.

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

With this cute Münchner Kindl, you not only have original gift packaging, but you can also use an empty cardboard toilet paper roll and small amounts of leftover yarn—making it a real upcycling project! You’ll need about 50 g of black cotton yarn, and correspondingly less of the other colors.
You can find the crochet pattern and more details about the materials here!

You can turn empty jam jars into beautiful candy jars. The lid is crocheted with a fun motif made from leftover yarn, and just like that you have a truly unique gift!

How about, for example, this cute penguin mom with baby? This motif is not hard to crochet and is wonderfully suited, for example, as a Mother's Day gift. You can also fill the jar with a voucher instead of sweets, for example.
You can find even more ideas for candy jars and gift packaging here!


Tiny bits of leftover yarn can be used up in crochet appliqués. You often only need a few yards. The appliqués can be used as gift tags, fridge magnets, decorations on greeting cards or door wreaths, and for many other things.

The lucky charm crochet appliqués are especially suitable for birthdays or the turn of the year.
You can find even more patterns for crochet appliqués here!

Kira triangular shawl

I used only 2 skeins of yarn for the Kira triangular shawl. So if you still have 2 skeins left over from a big project, why not give it a try?
Hairpin lace crochet is also very good for using up leftovers. For one thing, the technique itself uses very little material; for another, you work individual strips that are joined together. Each strip can look different. Maybe you’d like to try the technique—in that case, it’s better anyway to test first with leftover yarn to see if it suits you.

to the pattern




Rachel triangular shawl

Triangular shawls, stoles, or scarves are generally suitable for using up leftovers. A particularly beautiful example is the Rachel triangular shawl.

to the pattern

Pencil cases sewn from scraps—they’re for our children’s food bank

Leftovers are truly wonderful. We creative people never throw anything away, because we might still be able to make something beautiful out of it. I’ll show you what I’ve made from leftovers and what you could make too. I hope you enjoy looking and making them.

Warm regards from Ina

Bedding for dolls
-> small fabric scraps are enough, beds and pillows are completely washable, two different fabric patterns turn the bedding into reversible bedding



Small pillows and rugs for the doll bed
-> these can also be crocheted wonderfully from small yarn scraps



Lace bodysuit for small dolls
Since we already have a doll bed now, the dolls naturally need something to wear too, e.g. a lace bodysuit. For this one, you only need 5 g of yarn.



3D flowers
-> a free pattern is waiting for you here. You always need flowers, don’t you?



Doll clothes
-> the set consists of 2 pieces: a little skirt whose length you can vary, and a matching top; small yarn scraps are enough



Colorful craft bucket
-> Here, lots of colorful leftovers are crocheted into a cover for a standard plastic bucket. All around it are practical pockets for your tools



Little doll dress
-> ideal for yarn scraps; for this short knitted dress you only need 10 g of yarn



Little doll dress
-> of course you can also crochet it from yarn scraps; here’s a 3-piece set with a stylish hat, dress, and clutch



2 colorful little buckets from leftovers
-> here, cotton leftovers are crocheted into 2 covers for small plastic buckets, and we don’t have to weave in any ends



Favorite little summer dresses for small dolls
- I especially like these because they are quick to crochet and always fit well; they close in the back with 3 snap fasteners



Heart pendants
-> you can always use them and give them as gifts; I like making them in advance from yarn scraps



7 knitting patterns for doll fashion
-> small tiny scraps are enough; you can knit more than one garment from them, and the daughters and granddaughters will always have something to give to their best friend



Elegant doll dress
-> this is also nicely suited for sock yarn leftovers; we need 15 g and knit with a set of double-pointed needles



Beachwear for small dolls
-> all doll mommies really like this in summer