If you’re a yarn lover like me, you probably have a growing collection of leftover bits and pieces from past projects. I hate letting good yarn go to waste, so I save everything over a foot long in a dedicated bin and anything under a foot long in a freezer sized bag. Today, I’m just talking about the longer bits. Over time, these scraps add up—and when I’m ready, I turn them into colorful, one-of-a-kind scrap balls! Here’s how I do it.
Step 1: Sorting My Yarn Scraps
I start by organizing my yarn by weight and fiber type. Keeping similar yarns together ensures that my final project has a consistent texture and drape and that the care instructions are the same. Once sorted, I group the scraps by color, mixing in a few neutrals to break up the bright hues, I think it creates a more balanced look.
Step 2: Joining the Scraps
To create a continuous strand, I use a magic knot method. Unlike a simple knot, the magic knot weaves the yarn ends together, creating a smooth transition between colors. You won’t feel the join in the final project, and it’s much prettier than the bulky factory knots you sometimes find in commercial skeins.
Of course, there are other ways to join yarn—the Russian join, felted joins (for wool), and spliced joins all work depending on the fiber—but the magic knot is my go-to for its durability and it’s quick to do, which makes a difference when you’re joining many, many scraps together.
Step 3: Winding It Into a Ball
As I join each scrap, I wrap the yarn into a ball, letting the colors flow naturally. This part is always fun because you start to see the unique combination of shades and textures come together.
By the time I finished winding my most recent scrap ball collection, I had 57 ounces of yarn—about the equivalent of seven skeins from Joann or Michaels! It’s amazing how much yarn you can save over time.
Step 4: Putting It to Use
For my latest scrap yarn project, I crocheted a moss stitch blanket in rainbow order, and I absolutely love how it turned out. The mix of colors and textures makes it feel special, and knowing that it’s made from leftover yarn makes it even more meaningful. Earlier in the year, when I joined all of my cotton scraps together, I created scrap yarn bucket hats which turned out amazing.
Final Thoughts
If you’re not already saving your scraps, I highly recommend it! Scrap balls are a great way to get creative, reduce waste, and make something truly unique. Whether you use them for blankets, amigurumi, or even scrappy granny squares, you’ll be surprised at how much beauty can come from what was once considered leftovers.
