Admitting I Hoard Leftover Yarn and My Plan for a Scrap Basket

I have a problem with hanging on to leftover yarn. I hate to throw it away or give it away, just in case I may need it in the future. The trouble is, I end up with too much yarn.

When I finish a project, I just wind the ball back up and set it in my yarn stash that is organized based on yarn weight, fiber & color, and go on my merry little way. A few weeks ago, when I counted how much yarn I had, I realized I have a problem. Admitting I have a problem is the first step, right?

I have leftover pink acrylic gradient yarn from a star blanket that I did for my granddaughter. I have leftover Rainbow colored yarn from a star blanket for her twin brother, I have a whole lot of cotton yarn left over from various projects, and many bits and bobs from many other projects from days gone by.

Since I last spoke to you about my yarn hoarding problem, I have decided to turn over a new leaf. I have decided that I am going to try to be more organized. I am hoping that the new, organized Becky will embrace this habit, and it will become a way of life.

Tiny Bits Get Tossed, Bigger Bits Go in the Bin

If there's enough yarn to crochet even a little bit, I keep it. If there's just a tiny little bit, I usually toss it. I have been putting it back with all of my yarn, sorted by weight, color, and fiber type.

I have decided that I will put all of my leftover bits in a bin or basket all together.

Hopefully, I will use them to crochet a scrap blanket, basket, or something like that in the future. This will make it easier for me in the future. I will know where to look for little scraps.

Six-Strand Baskets and a 78-Square Hygge Burst Blanket

I love to do scrap projects! One of my favorite ways to use leftover yarn is to make baskets using six strands of yarn. This makes a sturdy basket, and it has a lot of charm with the multi colored yarn.

I have made tote bags, scrap blankets, rugs, placemats, seat covers, stool covers, ornaments, etc. I love to use the little leftovers for granny squares.

This year I have been working on a Hygge Burst blanket. I need 78 squares to complete the blanket. Each square has different colors.

No squares are alike. Now, I can just look in my leftover basket and pick a random color.

Another great idea is to put all of my yarn bits that are too small to save for a project and keep them in a jar or bin to use for stuffing amigurumi or pillows. Some people put some of their yarn scraps in little glass ornaments for a colorful addition to their Christmas tree that reminds them of the projects they have finished throughout the year. I have a jar that I keep my tiny scraps in, and it looks really cute sitting on top of my shelf.

Closing My Eyes and Picking Any Yarn

I love that so many scrap projects use multiple colors, and the colors are random. Sometimes, I just close my eyes and choose a yarn. I don't always worry about whether it matches or not.

Somehow it works out. A good example of random colors is the Chaos Blanket trend. Leftover yarn could be used & that could be a scrap blanket.

My Giant Mess and a Report Back in a Few Months

I definitely need to work on my organization, because what I've been doing so far has not been working out too well. It always ends up being a giant mess.

I will report back in a few months and let you know how the organization of my yarn leftovers is going. Hopefully things will be much better, and I won't have such a jumbled mess of yarn.