What do you do with your left over yarn?

I’m one of those people that gets stressed out bad (lol) about not having enough yarn to complete a project so I always buy a bit more than what I need. Especially since I don’t live close to the shops. But as I like experimenting with different types of yarn, I find that I have bits and pieces left over. I usualy use them to make small doilies or similar small projects but now have run out of people to give my doilies to!

What do you do with your left over yarn? Do you save it for a bigger project or just use it up to make something small?

I like to make small projects like flowers (brooches), appliques, coasters, potholders etc. but they often also end up as accent colours or borders in larger projects. Never throw away abit, sometimes it gets used up to the last inch!

The very end scraps I've been saving in a bag with my fabric scraps to use as stuffing. I've also tossed scraps outside in hopes that birds will use them and we'd have super colorful bird nests.

The Crochet N More website has some wonderful tips for using leftover yarn. Check out the link here for many ideas.
http://www.crochetnmore.com/scrapyarnideas.htm

The one I miss in that long list Cindy posted is felt beads, but that's really for loose ends if they're 100 % wool. Roll a ball of 1-5'' ends between your hands and tie it up with one a bit longer. Make wet (the hotter the better), add soap (dish detergent is great) and keep rolling it between your hands until it felts. Wash out soap, squeeze out water and let dry.

For the smaller leftovers, I stick them in a fishbowl I have on my craft table. When the monkies come looking for yarn for their art, they can dip into the bowl and not go after my stash. Otherwise, I ball leftovers up and save them for later (knitting trim or embroidering designs on scarves).

If you have friends that are scrapbookers or card makers, they usually just need about a yard of fiber so donate it to them for their pages and cards :)

jt

After I read this topic through I slapped my forehead -- I just tossed a double handful of microfleece scraps out after making a blanket -- chopped up a little and they would make perfect stuffing for a pillow or doll, not unlike lots and lots of bits o' yarn.

I make dishcloths with left over yarn I knit them using size 8 needles US, in knit stitch. They clean glasses like magic leaves them sparkling clean.

Left over yarn can be used in the bigger project or making a small project. You can use it anyway you like but all you should take care of is that what ever you do, it should not be wasted.