Tutorial – Combining scraps
If you’re like me, you have a LOT of little bits of leftover yarn. They’re too small to make much of anything with, and too big to just throw away or cut up for stuffing. This particular box is mostly Red Heart Super Saver, with some other worsted weight yarns well, such as Red Heart Kids (discontinued), and Red Heart Soft.
Many scrap projects rely on using small sections or motifs in each yarn, but that usually also means weaving in dozens of ends. So how can we work these up into something fun, without a nightmare finishing task? One way is by combining scraps together to make a jumbo yarn.
Basically, you work with multiple strands at the same time, replacing each strand as it runs out, one at a time. Here I have grabbed 5 random scraps of different lengths from my bin. It’s important to keep the lengths different as you will soon see. Holding them together, and using a large hook (I’m using a P/11.5 mm in this picture), I started crocheting as normal.
After just a few stitches, one of the scraps was nearly finished. No worries, when there was about 6-12 inches left, I simply replaced it with another scrap (leaving about a 12 inch tail), and kept crocheting, working over both tails to hide them. Go ahead and crochet over the whole tail until it’s all gone. I’m not normally a fan of working over tails in this way, as they tend to pull out over time. In this case though, with all the other yarns helping to hold it in place, it’s a bit more secure.
Because multiple strands are used together, the yarn changes aren’t as noticeable, and the colors just gently shift. The really important part is making sure two strands don’t end at the same time. If you do end up in this situation, cut one of the strands at least a couple of feet shorter.I only worked with scraps that were at least 2-3 yards long, as those would last for more than just a few stitches.
Combining scraps like this even works with yarns of different weights, just stagger them in so the overall weight of the bundle doesn’t change as much. Small variations in overall thickness of the bundle are ok too.The resulting fabric is dense and fairly stiff, great for hotpads, rugs, and other household items. I’ll have a new pattern for you soon using this technique!
18 Comments
Bonnie Banks
I’ve used this technique in making pet beds that the recipients (and the owners) have liked. Another thing I like to do is tie scraps together in a giant ball, then make projects with the yarn. I make pet rugs leaving the ends sticking out or drawstring runner purses with strings tucked in or out as the whim strikes me. Have you tried this? It is quite liberating.
Pia Thadani
I’ve seen that, with the ends left sticking out, but I’ve never done it myself. It’s generally not a favorite look for me. I know a lot of people love those though!
Lynn
I’ve been using this method for years and donating them to various independent cat rescue/adoption service groups in my area. I call them shag rugs for pets as I pull all the tied ends to one side after crocheting several rows. I use either single crochet or the Moss stitch for these with 15-18” strands tied together & ends of about 3/4”. My own 6 rescue cats love these blankets. So do I because they are very sturdy and hold up amazingly well after dozens of trips to the washer & dryer.
Pia Thadani
Very cool! 🙂
Rita Karaffa
That is Such a cool idea! I have a lot of “scraps” so I can’t wait to see what pattern you come up with to go with this technique!
Pia Thadani
It’s coming out on Friday 🙂
Joanne tucker
So easy to do im going yo put this on my to do list
Caroline
I loved this idea I usually end up throwing most of my scrap balls away as there isn’t enough wool to do anything with this is a great idea to use them up, I am saving my scrap wool from now on.
Pia Thadani
yay! never throw away yarn scraps – if you absolutely can’t do anything else with them, cut them into 2-3 inch pieces and save them in a bag to use for stuffing 🙂
peggy
throw them to the birds,,they love having a colorful nest, waste not want not.
Pia Thadani
actually I hear that’s bad for the birds… https://www.goodknitkisses.com/psa-dangerous-yarn-scraps-for-birds/
Judi Smith
I carry a Ziploc quart size baggie with me to hold all my scrap pieces in. When it gets full, I take them out and put them near a tree where birds and squirrels can get them and use them in their nests.
Pia Thadani
I have been told (by a few people who would know) that this is bad for the birds. Bright colors can attract predators, and yarn doesn’t fall apart the same way grasses do so birds can get tangled in it.
Pat Deveny
Do you have to use yarns of similar thickness?
Pia Thadani
not necessarily, as long as the overall bundle stays about the same. I would avoid very thin or very slippery yarns though as they may have more of a tendency to slip out.
Barbara
I give all my small balls of yarn to my sis-in-law. She makes flowers and loves having small quick projects. I put the flowers on baby hats that I donate to hospitals.
Brenda Hall
I have a good sized amount of the old rug yarn. Can’t find it anymore.(telling my age) lol If I used it, about how many strands should I hold together? I used to cover wire clothes hangers(2taped together to make them stronger) with it. That’s the only hangers I use. Helps shirts and dresses from sliding off hanger. I also used to make nice bathroom sets out of rug yarn, rug, toilet seat lid cover, toilet paper roll cover. Also sometime I would make a cover for use on toilet paper for use as a makeup tissue. Thanks for the pattern.
Pia Thadani
I’d use 4 or 5. Here’s the rug pattern that goes with this tutorial: https://stitchesnscraps.com/free-pattern-linen-stitch-scrap-rug/