If you’re stuck at home right now, well, we already know what we’re going to do – crochet, of course. But what if you can’t make a yarn run or even order yarn? This is the moment we’ve been stashing for.
I know some of us have huge stashes that can easily make afghans galore, but if you’re like me and you keep a slimmer stash, or if you just need a small project to occupy your mind for a short time, I’ve collected a few patterns from various designers, including myself, that may inspire you to use up a few random balls of yarn you’ve been saving.
Home Decor
I’m making this category top of the list because if you’re stuck at home, there’s nothing quite as pleasant as making something fresh and cheerful to look at.
A new pillow/cushion cover fits the bill perfectly! Try Helen Shrimpton’s Felicty large afghan square that is perfect for turning into a pillow case. This is a paid pattern available on Helen’s website and on Ravelry. You’ll need about 540 yds of Stylecraft Classic Cotton DK (or other DK yarn, or try Aran weight for a larger square). And see Helen’s website for even more amazing patterns.
A pot holder is a quick and easy project that also gives you something useful for the kitchen. Hang a couple hooks somewhere convenient so you can also show them off. This is my pattern, North by Northwest and it’s free here on my website. Grab some kitchen cotton scraps in Aran weight and you’ll have a new potholder in no time!
Accessories
You know, now is a really good time to get ahead on some Christmas/holiday/birthday presents, and accessories make excellent gifts.
Helen Shrimpton’s Bubblegum Shawl is to-die-for. It’s fun but also really practical and wearable. The pattern is free on her website. It uses 3 cakes of Stylecraft Candy Swirl (about 1500 yds of self-striping DK).
My Mimic Cowl makes a great gift! And it uses just 300 yards of Stylecraft Dreamcatcher (or other DK self-striping yarn). It’s also easily adjustable if you’d like a different size or want to use a different weight yarn. The pattern is free here on my website.
The Mimic Shawl uses just one cake of Scheepjes Whirl but works beautifully in other yarns and includes a DK option. The pattern is free here on my website.
So you have just one ball of Lion Brand Mandala? (Or about 600 yards of another DK yarn?) I’ve got you covered. The Shadowcat infinity shawl takes exactly that. You can get the paid pattern on Ravelry or Etsy.
I have several more shawl patterns I’d love to show you, but I don’t want to take up the whole post. So you can see more of them, mostly free, in this Ravelry bundle.
A bag is another great accessory for giving as a gift. Michelle of Crochet Between Worlds has a couple options for you that are perfect for stash yarn or scrap busting. I’ve made the zig-zag tote myself and can tell you it’s a fun project.
AND… important. These next two are paid patterns but you can get them (and any other of Michelle’s pattern) 40% off just for reading this blog. And also by using coupon code: POLLY
Need a small project bag (or, as it is used around here, a bag for teddy to travel in) and to learn a new crochet technique? The True Colours Bargello Bag needs just 50g of your neutral colour and 20g each of 11 other colours (try a rainbow or a gradient!)! The buttons are purely decorative and not required! This is a paid pattern available on Ravelry.
Need a funky, bright, big bag to tote your projects around? The Zig Zag Tote Bag uses a variation on the Apache Tears pattern to create colourful, eyebending zigzags! The perfect size for a small afghan or a few shawls, this is a great bag for carrying your crochet projects with you. This is a paid pattern available on Ravelry.
Toys
Toys are also great to make from your stash. They usually don’t require much yarn or time. And they can be the perfect pick-me-up.
Anne from Crochet Between Worlds has a couple adorable options for us.
Inspired by Bunnymummy’s Easy Crochet Owl, here’s a kitty version for the cat lovers! It’s just the right size to fit in your hand, and we like to fill it with cherry pits or beans rather than stuffing so it is nice to hold. Get this pattern free on her blog.
The Cross Your Heart Teddy is an adorable little amigurumi with minimal sewing and maximum (mathematically calculated) cuteness! You’ll need about 50g of DK yarn to make this little guy, and you can crochet the eyes and nose in some black scrap yarn if you don’t have safety eyes lying around. Also free on Crochet Between Worlds blog.
Socks
I was hoping to get more knitting patterns together for you. But for now, I’ll share these amazing socks and say… if you find yourself bored, maybe pick up those knitting needles and give yourself a change of pace. Crochet will always be my first love, but there is something refreshing about picking up my knitting needles for a bit between crochet projects.
Helen Kurtz, or as you may know her from Instagram, josiekitten, has designed these super cool Inverse Striations socks.
The design for these socks was inspired by photographs of muscle fibres, the bundles of striated fibres represented in waves of knitting to create colourful and quirky socks. By changing the order in which the yarn is used, you get two slightly different, inverse socks. It’s great fun playing with the colour combinations and the possibilities are endless! It’s a great way to use up leftovers of yarn – the largest size uses less than 35g of each colour.This is a paid pattern on Ravelry with £1 from each pattern sale being donated to Myositis UK.
Helen has even more fabulous sock and other knitting designs in her Ravelry store. Be sure to check those out too!
Big Busters
If you think you’d like to tackle a bigger project but still need to use up your stash here’s my recommendations.
Stardust Melodies – the CAL may be over but the patterns are still quite popular. They’re great for mixing unexpected colors too because each square is a single color, the colors don’t interact quite the same. Meaning you can be a little more daring and really dive into that stash. It works great in Aran or DK or pretty much whatever you have. You can get 12 of the square patterns and one of the borders free here on my website, or buy the eBook and get all 24 squares and 2 borders on Ravelry or Etsy.
If you’d like a little motif to repeat and bust some scraps or some stash, try Ferris. This little square would make an awesome buster blanket. And it’s quick and easy to make and memorize if you need something simple and meditative. The pattern is free here on my website.
Of course, these are just a small sampling of what’s out there. Hopefully you find something you love or you’re inspired to do some clicking and fall into a Ravelry wormhole that eventually takes you to the perfect pattern. Good luck. Stay sane. And most importantly, stay healthy.
Please check out the Patterns page here on Every Trick on the Hook or my Ravelry store to see more of my patterns, both free and paid.
The best way to keep up with my goings-on is to follow Every Trick on the Hook on Facebook. You can also message me there, post on the wall, and follow my posts for the latest news.
If you’re looking for a more interactive Facebook experience, join the Polly Plum Pattern Posse Facebook group. We’re a fun and supportive group. Really! There’s so much help there that chances are your question will be answered by someone before I even see it. It’s the best place to go with a question. It’s also a great place to share your Polly Plum makes and see what others are making.
If Facebook isn’t your thing you can also join the Ravelry group – Polly’s Place or follow @polly_plum_crochet on Instagram
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