Do you have a yarn stash? I have worked on so many projects over the years and I have a LOT of small balls of leftover yarn that I always wonder what to do with! In this post, you will find a whole stack of free stash busting crochet patterns that you can make with leftover yarn from your own stash!
I’ve divided the collection of free and easy crochet patterns up into sections to make them easy for you to find. I recommend that you bookmark this blog post, because I’m sure you’ll want to keep returning to these crochet projects, again and again!
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What is a yarn stash?
If you’re asking this question, then you’re probably new to crochet! Don’t worry, you’ll have your own stash in no time!
A Yarn Stash can contain leftover pieces of yarn from prior projects, as well as full skeins, hanks and balls that you’ve acquired somehow, but haven’t yet used!
In this blog post though, we’re looking at free patterns that will use up the little scraps in your stash.
What are stash busting crochet patterns?
Stash buster crochet patterns are crochet projects that use a small amount of yarn. Or, a larger project that uses small amounts of yarn, but in multiple colors.
These stash-busting crochet patterns can range from small projects such as mug rugs, potholders, and dishcloths to larger projects such as blankets and sweaters!
Quick patterns are often free and lots of fun. They’re a great way to utilize scrap yarn and to inexpensively make a lot of items for a craft fair, market day, party gifts and gift ideas to put away for those last minute surprises!
Bigger projects that take longer, such as a crochet blanket pattern or stash buster sweater, offer a rewarding journey as you watch your leftover yarn transform into an often eclectic, colorful creation.
Not only do stash busting crochet patterns provide an eco-friendly way to reduce yarn waste, but they also allow for endless creativity in combining colors and textures!
Are stash buster patterns suitable for beginners?
Stash busting crochet patterns often cater to a range of skill levels, including beginners. Many quick projects featured in the blog post are simple and perfect for those just starting with crochet, providing an excellent opportunity to practice basic stitches and techniques.
Free Kitchen & Bathroom Patterns
Pankh Dishcloth by Knitter Knotter
Photo Credit: knitterknotter.com
A crocheted cloth is a useful stash busting project and an essential item for any kitchen. The pattern uses the feather stitch and comes with a video tutorial to help you make this practical project.
Classic Striped Potholder by Joy of Motion Crochet
Photo Credit: joyofmotioncrochet.com
Made with a cotton yarn, this pot holder features a lovely textured crochet stitch with some striped detail. This stash busting project is another must for your kitchen!
Flower Cup Cozy by Made by Gootie
Photo Credit: madebygootie.com
This cute flower square offers so many possibilities! It has been made into a coaster, a cup cozy and even a blanket! You can easily use your stash up on making a bunch of these for smaller projects or for a colorful patchwork blanket.
Harlow Wall Hanging by Juniper & Oakes
Photo Credit: www.juniperandoakes.com
A wall hanging design that welcomes customization with various colors and sizes. The flexible pattern includes detailed instructions and step-by-step photos – to create your own work of art!
Double Thick Potholder (Thermal Stitch) by My Crochet Space
Photo Credit: mycrochetspace.com
Protect your hands and your furniture! This extra thick potholder uses a series of stitches known as Thermal Stitches. The way they are created make an extra thick fabric perfect for use in the kitchen.
Brooklyn Bowl Cozy by You Should Craft
Photo Credit: www.youshouldcraft.com
Crocheted in the round, using worsted weight cotton yarn, this bowl cozy is microwave safe!
Seaside Mug Rug by Desert Blossom Crafts
Photo Credit: desertblossomcrafts.com
This beautiful mug rug is designed to echo the seaside, with a beautiful shell design in the center. Made using very little yarn, this is the perfect stash busting project for your home.
Crochet Accessory Patterns
Happy Bobble Bracelet by Sweet Bee Crochet
Photo Credit: sweetbeecrochet.com
Coordinate your accessories with your outfit! This free pattern won’t take you long and makes a great stash busting crochet pattern!
Granny Stitch Kerchief by Crochet n Crafts
Photo Credit: crochetncraftscom
Create a quick and easy crochet hair accessory! This free pattern is the perfect project for keeping your hair in check instead of a hair tie, or concealing a bad hair day.
Double Crochet Scrunchie by Meladora’s Creations
Photo Credit: www.meladorascreaions.com
This free crochet pattern for an easy scrunchie uses simple stitches and is a quick project to make!
Crochet Sea Shell Earrings by Golden Lucy Crafts
Photo Credit: www.goldenlucycrafts.com
With some crochet thread, pearl beads and jewelry findings, you could crochet these delightful earrings – for yourself and your friends.
Odette Ear Warmers by Once Upon a Cheerio
Photo Credit: www.onceuponacheerio.com
Using the crocodile stitch to mimic feathers, this free ear warmer pattern comes with helpful step by step photos and a chart to help you craft your own pair.
Smaller Projects for Gifts
Small stash busting crochet patterns come in really handy for last-minute gifts. They’re super inexpensive and quick to create!
Mosaic Bookmarks by Knitter Knotter
Photo Credit: knitterknotter.com
This Tunisian mosaic crochet pattern is free and fast, and can use any different colors! A beginner-friendly pattern that can use up your fingering weight yarn scraps – or even a lighter yarn weight!
Valentine’s Mug Cozy by Knitter Knotter
Photo Credit: knitterknotter.com
Crochet a gorgeous mug cozy for your Valentine using this free crochet pattern! Featuring a big heart to represent all your love, each and every morning. This easy pattern pairs Tunisian Simple Stitches with a cross stitch heart pattern!
Heart Coasters by Hooked On Patterns
Photo Credit: hookedonpatterns.com
Quick, easy and oh so cute! This scrap buster pattern for heart-shaped coasters comes with a video tutorial and step-by-step photos and written pattern.
Sweet Stripes Sunglasses Holder by Green Fox Farms Designs
Photo Credit: greenfoxfarmsdesigns.com
Sunglass cases make terrific last-minute gifts! Pair the handcrafted holder with a voucher for a funky sunglass shop, and you’ve just created the best gift ever!
Gracie Gift Bag by Crafting Each Day
Photo Credit: craftingeachday.com
This lacey gift bag is a lovely way to wrap a present for someone special. Made using scrap yarn from other projects, you could easily make several of them from your stash.
Crochet Water Balloons by Left in Knots
Photo Credit: leftinknots.com
Experience the joy of mess-free Water Balloons, with no more hose filling or ground breakage! These are a fun pattern, that provide a great opportunity to use up any blanket yarn you may have.
Great Stash-busting Projects to Wear!
Jellyfish and Octopus Appliques by Raffamusa Designs
Photo Credit: raffamusadesigns.com
Appliques are a great stash busting project as they don’t use much yarn. These cute jellyfish and octopus appliques would be a fantastic addition to add to greeting cards, cover holes in clothing or string together for a sea themed garland!
Paige’s Mod Scarf by Sunflower Cottage Crochet
Photo Credit: sunflowercottagecrochet.com
This colorful scarf uses 1 yarn cake, but would also work well using up small balls of yarn in your stash. Made using the bean and cross stitch, this convertible scarf also has plenty of texture as well as color!
Happy Scrappy Sweater by Carroway Crochet
Photo Credit: carrowaycrochet.com
An easy project for beginners. The pattern uses simple techniques to add texture to it. This sweater is a great example of a big project that comes together with many different scraps of yarn.
Ashlesha Slippers by Knitter Knotter
Photo Credit: knitterknotter.com
You can use any color combination to create these easy slippers! They use Tunisian crochet and each foot is made from just 6 squares.
Asha Cowl by Knitter Knotter
Photo Credit: knitterknotter.com
This is a very easy pattern, crocheted in the round and it works up really quickly too. The reversible design is created by changing stitches – not colors, which makes it even simpler!
Crochet Bags, Pouches and Totes
Granny Square Crochet Zipper Pouch by Banana Moon Studio
Photo Credit: bananamoonstudio.com
With a vintage look and a practical use, this free pattern can hold your crochet hooks, glasses, or notions!
Wedge Project Bag by Blue Star Crochet
Photo Credit: bluestarcrochet.com
This unique shaped bag is another fantastic stash busting project. You can add as many different colors as you need to make this unusual bag.
Susie Snowflake Bag by Divine Debris
Photo Credit: divinedebris.com
Make your bag, just as the pattern shows, or find a whole lot of worsted weight yarn in your stash to craft each snowflake square in different colors! Your choice!
Small Tissue Pouch by Nicki’s Homemade Crafts
Photo Credit: www.nickishomemadecrafts.com
Use the Turkish Star stitch to crochet this cute and easy pattern!
Origami Tote Bag by Janean Crapo
Photo Credit: knitterknotter.com
This unusual bag design is both eye-catching and fun to use! The free Tunisian crochet pattern is beginner friendly and can be made with any combination of colors.
Squares and Hexagons
Lastly, you can use my yearly blanket CALs to create beautiful squares and hexagons. These are perfect for using up leftover yarn, and you can eventually combine them to make larger projects once you have a collection. For more ideas on what you can do with your squares, you can visit my website here.
I’m sure that you can see that your yarn stash is a treasure trove of creative possibilities!
These free, stash busting crochet patterns, can help you make the most of those leftover yarn scraps. They also provide endless opportunities for crafting unique and eco-friendly projects.
So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter, remember to bookmark this collection as a go-to resource. In no time, you’ll be transforming your yarn stash into vibrant and practical creations.
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Disclosure
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