Pattern Previews for 52 Weeks of Scrap Yarn: Projects for Crafters
52 Weeks of Scrap Yarn: Projects for Crafters is an inspiring collection that contains 52 scrap yarn patterns ranging from small to large projects, from accessories and home decor to sweaters and cardigans. Some designs are made entirely of scraps, while others use them in smaller details as an eye-catching design element. In addition to knitting, there are also a few crochet pieces.
Sweaters
Anna Sjösvärd — Klotho
The yoke of this top-down sweater is worked inside out in unspun scrap yarn. The reverse stockinette texture beautifully compliments the soft colour gradient.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Höner och Eir Nutiden, Ístex Plötulopi and Filtmakeriet Klassiskt Förgarn. All are unspun 100% wool yarns. The yarns are held double throughout the pattern.
Jenna Kostet — Kaaos
The Kaaos sweater is knitted with scraps of fingering-weight Merino sock yarn. Work every stripe and motif in a different colour, or opt for a more harmonious combination.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in various scraps of fingering-weight yarn, including Aara Mieli, a hand-dyed, soft fingering-weight merino sock yarn.
Megumi Shinagawa — Matka
This adventurous pullover has slightly cropped, wide sleeves and features a mix of textures and colours. Matka, meaning “travel” in Finnish, reflects the knitter’s journey through the stitches.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in De Rerum Natura Gilliatt, a woollen-spun, soft 100% wool yarn in worsted weight.
Esti Juango — Celebrate
Celebrate is a yoke sweater that plays with shapes and shades in a fascinating way. The easy-to-follow colourwork chart only uses two colours per round.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Retrosaria Rosa Pomar Brusca, a 2-ply woollen-spun Portuguese wool blend yarn.
Faye Kennington — Lozenges
Give your sleeves a crafty twist with Lozenges’ woven motifs and playful tassels — perfect for showcasing your scrap yarns in a vibrant mix or a single standout colour.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Brooklyn Tweed Imbue Sport, a soft and springy 3-ply worsted-spun merino wool yarn.
Camille Descôteaux — Vestiges
The Vestiges sweater is all about versatility. The worsted-weight yarn can easily be substituted by holding multiple thinner threads together.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in various yarns, including Cascade 220 and Bleu Poussière Taïga both held single, and the following yarns held double: Julie Asselin Leizu Fingering, Höner Och Eir Nutiden, BC Garn Bio Shetland, Spincycle Dyed in the Wool, BC Garn Bio Shetland and Emilia & Philomène Adelina.
Elena Solier Jansà — Aster
The Aster pullover is an enjoyable knit — easy and relaxing. Owing to its big gauge, it flies off the needles. Knitted bobbles and embroidered petals complete the design.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Xolla Bauma, a non-superwash 100% Spanish wool yarn that blooms beautifully once blocked. For the embroidery, you need 1 strand of worsted-weight or 2 strands of fingering-weight yarn held together.
Marina Storm — Chromelia
The colourwork of the Chromelia sweater tells a story of balance and beauty, inspired by the interplay of colours found in the Greek landscapes. Think of wildflowers against a clear sky!
Yarn: The orange sample was knitted in Walk Collection Cottage Merino, a fingering-weight, single-ply merino yarn with a homespun feel and Walk Collection Tough Sock, a hand-dyed, fingering-weight yarn that is durable yet soft. The blue sample was knitted in Walk Collection Merino DK, a soft, hand-dyed DK-weight merino yarn and Walk Collection Tough Sock.
Cardigans
Paula Pereira — Favo
With its colours and shapes, this relaxed-fitting, boxy crochet cardigan reminds us of a honeycomb — “favo” in Portuguese.
Yarn: The sample was crocheted in Retrosaria Rosa Pomar Vovó (for MC), a hard-wearing non-superwash yarn made from 100% fine Portuguese wool and Woolfolk Flette (for CC), a super soft bouclé yarn made of the finest merino.
Faïza Mebazaa — Loustic
Loustic is a roomy colourwork cardigan that features ample folded sleeves in a squishy rib. The oversized pockets and broad buttonband add interest to this statement piece.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Life in The Long Grass DK Twist, Skein Yarn Voyage DK, House of A La Mode House DK and Martin’s Lab Tibetan DK, which are soft, hand-dyed DK-weight merino yarns (with the exception of Martin’s Lab Tibetan DK which includes yak and silk in addition to merino). In addition, two strands of hand-dyed fingering-weight yarn were held together: LitYarn 100% Wool Fingering and Life in the Long Grass Haze Lace.
María Uzquiano — Aallot
This cardigan by María Uzquiano, also known as mûmû knit, has a wavy texture pattern created by combining knits and purls. The duplicate-stitch details give leftovers a second life!
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Sandnes Garn Peer Gynt, a durable, rather rustic worsted-weight wool yarn.
Soraya García — Sloane Square
Sloane Square updates classic charm with a modern twist. Inspired by traditional granny-square cardigans, this unique knitted cardigan is built one piece at a time.
Yarn: The sample was made in West Wool Tandem, a DK-weight 100% merino yarn with great stitch definition.
Veera Jussila — Lempein
The Lempein cardigan features fascinating, marled stripes, perfect for incorporating scrap yarn in whatever colours you have to hand.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Jalovilla Vuona held double, a soft, light-weight wool yarn in fingering weight.
Safiyyah Talley — Art
Art is a drop-shoulder V-neck cardigan with a relaxed fit, designed to allow your creativity to shine through. It is worked with worsted- and lace-weight yarn held together, creating a gentle fade.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Berroco Millstone Tweed, a worsted-weight, tweedy yarn in a mix of wool, viscose and polyamide, and Berroco Aerial, a lace-weight silk mohair yarn with a beautiful halo. One strand of worsted-weight is held together with one strand of lace-weight yarn throughout the pattern.
Vests & Slipovers
Candi Jensen — Woven Patches
This classic slipover features patches that are woven onto the knitted fabric — an innovative way to use up even small bits of yarn and give a garment your personal touch.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Yarn Citizen Unity in the colourway Granite, a non-superwash, worsted-weight wool yarn.
Meiju Kallio — Roso
Roso has a simple yet interesting shape. The slipover’s stripe pattern uses two colours at a time, and you can create as many stripes as you want.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Tukuwool DK, a rustic, DK-weight wool yarn.
Jaime Dorfman — Annie
This beginner-friendly striped slipover by Jaime Dorfman, also known as Jaime Creates, has a cropped fit and a square neckline. It can be styled on its own or layered.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in assorted scrap yarns for main striped fabric. For the rib, Wool and the Gang Alpachino Merino, a bulky-weight merino-alpaca yarn with a gentle twist was used.
Famke van der Wal — Piper Patchwork
Piper Patchwork is a European-shoulder vest that combines odd balls of yarn into a cohesive and fun patchwork knit.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Drops Lima, Knitting for Olive Heavy Merino, Katia Concept Cotton Merino and Regia 100g Sock 4ply in colourway 00017 (held double).
Scarves, Shawls & Cowls
Hiromi Glover — Konpeito Candy
This scarf was inspired by a traditional Japanese sugar candy that is small, brightly coloured and has a spikey surface. The four-row pattern repeat is easy to memorise and fun to knit.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in The Wandering Flock Fingering Singles, a fingering-weight, hand-dyed, soft merino yarn. For CCs, a mix of different fingering-weight yarns were used, such as Purl Soho Linen Quill and Furl, Retrosaria Rosa Pomar Mondim as well as Knitting for Olive Soft Silk Mohair.
Mariia Sordiia — Berlin Sunset
The Berlin Sunset scarf inventively combines cables with dropped stitches woven with scrap yarn. It is playful and elegant at the same time!
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Nakyang A Cashmere (for MC), a soft, single-ply fingering-weight merino-alpaca-cashmere mix yarn. For CC, the following scrap yarns (among others) were used: Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk, Katia Cotton Merino, Malabrigo Arroyo and Brigitte No. 2 Seta.
Nicola Furey — Block Party
Block Party is a fully reversible colourwork scarf. Each of the blocks features a single colour in three tonal shades, creating a lively yet balanced look.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Fyberspates Scrumptious, a hand-dyed, luxurious 4-ply silk and merino mix yarn. For CC, 18 different 4-ply sock yarn scraps were used.
Eeva Rapola — Lanes of Joy
This beginner-friendly crochet scarf is like a warm hug. Chunky, soft alpaca is paired with mohair to create a soft fabric. To finish, the scarf is lightly brushed for an extra-fluffy look.
Yarn: The sample was crocheted in Sandnes Garn Børstet Alpakka, a soft and light bulky-weight alpaca yarn. For the CCs, various scraps of lace-weight mohair yarn (held triple) were used.
Soraya García — Kensington
This accessory draws from the timeless elegance of Victorian-era collars, recalling period pieces and old-world charm.
Yarn: The samples were knitted in Pascuali Sayama, a sport-weight baby llama and highland wool yarn that is soft yet durable.
Sam Lamb — Bloomfield Bunting
Reminiscent of bunting garlands, this shawl’s lace border makes use of different scrap yarns for every pointed repeat. It is completely reversible and comes in three sizes.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Biches & Bûches Le Petit Lambswool, a light-fingering-weight, rustic yet soft wool yarn. The bunting edges were worked in various scraps of light-fingering- to fingering-weight yarn.
Paula Pereira — Gazania
The colours of the Gazania scarf fade beautifully into each other. While one side looks like a Donegal fabric with small chevrons, the other one features a striped, ribbed fabric.
Yarn: The samples were knitted in fingering-weight wool yarns. The pink sample was knitted in Tré Liz Titan High Twist, Cascade Heritage and Dyed by M Joao Merino Fingering. The mustard sample was knitted in LilyRose Dyeworks Wemmick Sock, Anzula Dottie and Julie Asselin Nomade.
Lis Smith — Yéyé
With a nod to homey handcrafts of the 1960s, the Yéyé wrap is a knit with infinite possibilities. Each block is knitted individually in the round, making it the perfect portable project.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Brooklyn Tweed Loft and Brooklyn Tweed Tones Light. Both yarns are fingering-weight, springy 2-ply woollen-spun yarns made of 100% wool.
Emma Ducher — Tiny Souvenir
Using scraps of yarn randomly, each Tiny Souvenir scarf will be a unique piece filled with knitting memories. The pattern is easy to memorise, perfect for relaxing moments.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in La Bien Aimée Soyeux, a hand-dyed, lace-weight silk mohair yarn. Various scraps of fingering-weight yarn were used as CC. For the sample, 12 CCs were used, but you can use as many or as few as you want to.
Anna Husemann — Colour As You Go
This narrow intarsia scarf is a great opportunity to use up all your precious lace-weight mohair and alpaca leftovers. Mix and match shapes in a playful way!
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Isager Tweed (for MC), a tweedy, fingering-weight wool-mohair mix yarn. For CC, a mix of various lace-weight silk mohair and brushed alpaca yarns were used.
Lotta H. Löthgren — Forma
The Forma shawl is an elongated triangular shape with a bit of intarsia and embroidered details on a stockinette stitch background. It is easily adapted to your personal style.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in The Fibre Co. Cumbria, a soft yet sturdy non-superwash DK-weight wool yarn. For CC, the following yarns were used: Sägen Ratatosk and Biches et Bûches Le Petit Silk and Mohair (held together, for CC1), Sägen Fe (held double, for CC2), Sägen Ratatosk and Sägen Basilisk (held together, for CC3), Sägen Ratatosk and Sägen Basilisk (held together, for CC4). Sägen Ratatosk is an untreated, hand-dyed fingering-weight wool yarn. Sägen Fe is a hand-dyed DK-weight alpaca-silk-cashmere mix yarn. Sägen Basilisk is a hand-dyed lace-weight silk mohair yarn. Biches et Bûches Le Petit Silk and Mohair is a luxurious lace-weight silk mohair yarn.
Socks
Lindsey Fowler — Piecework
Inspired by a handmade Great Depression-era quilt, these socks are an homage to the tradition of piecework quilting, and saving the smallest scraps of fabric or yarn to create something new.
Yarn: The sample pair was knitted in Coast to Coast Yarn Co Classic Sock (for MC), a hand-dyed fingering-weight superwash merino sock yarn. For the scrap yarn, various leftovers were used, including The Wandering Flock, Plies and Hellhounds, Little Lionhead Knits, Tiny Human Knits and Wobble Gobble Yarn.
Imke von Nathusius — Patchwork
These socks have a fun construction that keeps you engaged. They are knitted from cuff to toe by working one square or triangle after the other.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Lana Grossa Meilenweit 50 (for MC), a wool-polyamide sock yarn. For CC, Kaos Yarn Organic Soft Merino, Fonty BB Mérinos and Sandnes Garn Sunday were used.
Enikö Balogh — Gadzillion
The Gadzillion socks feature a motif that encourages you to use even the smallest pieces of yarn! Knit each motif in a different colour or choose just a few shades for a more cohesive look.
Yarn: The sample pair was knitted in Regia Tweed 4-ply, a soft yet durable sock yarn. For CC, Järbo Junior Raggi and Regia 4-ply were used.
Yukie Onodera — Jute Rug
These mosaic toe-up socks are an ode to the beauty of the morning sun, inspired by colourful “shadows” cast by stained glass on a jute rug.
Yarn: The sample pair was knitted in Sekimau Knits Soft Sock, a hand-dyed fingering-weight sock yarn.
Audrey Borrego — Ligne
The super-comfy Ligne socks feature an all-over textured colourwork pattern, alternating small lines of motifs that can be worked in any number of colours.
Yarn: The sample pair was knitted in Jardin de Laine High Twist Sock, a fingering-weight, hand-dyed superwash merino/nylon sock yarn. For CC, Yarneline Mérinos Superwash and Lana Grossa Meilenweit Seta were used.
Rebekka Mauser — Ilo
The cute, ankle-high Ilo socks are worked seamlessly, section-by-section, in an interesting hybrid construction. The use of intarsia offers a creative way of arranging colour blocks on the instep.
Yarn: The sample pair was knitted in various scraps of 4-ply sock yarn with a yardage of approx. 437 yds / 400 m – 100 g.
Hats & Headbands
Jona Bednjanec — Tutti
The vibrant and modern Tutti hat combines different types of colourful yarns, creating a fascinating marled look. Dive into your yarn stash and get playful!
Yarn: The sample was knitted with 1 strand of aran-weight, 2 strands of sport-weight, 1 strand of fingering-weight, 1 strand of light-fingering-weight and 1 strand of lace-weight yarn held together.
Elise Young — Rayas
This cosy two-layer hat features a tubular construction and a rainbow of irregular stripes. After the hat has been knitted, it is embellished with crocheted stripes.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Manos del Uruguay Alegría, a hand-dyed, soft yet strong superwash-polyamide yarn.
Sarianna Lehtonen — Umma
The Umma headband was inspired by the laid-back rock music of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The easy colourwork pattern is captivating and quick to finish.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Sandnes Garn Babyull Lanett, a soft, fingering-weight merino wool yarn.
Camille Romano — Rusko
Autumn’s striking, warm colours inspired the Rusko hat. This double-layered design is worked from crown to crown, and the length is easy to customise.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Lang Yarns Suri Alpaca, a soft, fingering-weight 100% suri alpaca yarn.
Pauliina Kuunsola — Shift
Use up your DK-weight scraps in this delightful hat! The slightly shifting blocks of thin stripes are worked in a way that doesn’t leave a ton of ends to weave in.
Yarn: The sample was knitted with unlabelled DK-weight yarn from stash. 100% wool or mostly wool yarns are best suited for this project.
Sara Ottosson — Midnight Milkshake
The Midnight Milkshake beanie with i-cords and stripes was inspired by neon signs at night — think 1950s-style diners serving customers 24/7.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Svarta Fåret Merino Maxi, a worsted-spun merino wool yarn. For CC, the following yarns were used: Svarta Fåret Giva, Järbo Svensk Ull 3-ply and BC Garn Semilla Melange held together with Sandnes Garn Tynn Silk Mohair.
Rastus Hsu — Final Move
By incorporating simple knit and purl stitches with playful colour changes, the Final Move hat transforms your scrap yarns into a striking, textured fabric.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Bare Naked Wools Festivus 9.0 Sport (for C1), a soft sport-weight, 100% merino yarn, and La Bien Aimée Prism (for C2–C7), a super soft woolen-spun yarn made of merino and upcycled wool yarn.
Anna Eklund — Fläta
This braided headband is made from crocheted tubes — a technique with many advantages. Quick to make, highly adaptable, and, best of all, there’s no need to weave in ends!
The sample was crocheted in various light sport- and fingering-weight wool-bamboo and cotton yarns.
Mittens & Hand-Warmers
Jen Yard — Bobble Pop
These playful hand-warmers combine classic crochet granny squares, cute whimsical bobbles and plain stockinette stitch. The simple pattern is perfect for anyone new to crochet.
Yarn: The sample was made in a mix of various fingering-weight yarns, such as Regia 4ply, Opal 4ply and West York‑shire Spinners Signature 4ply. For durability, woolen sock yarns with nylon work great.
Lis Smith — Fortuna
The Fortuna mittens forgo traditional colourwork charts and leave it all up to chance! The fateful role of the dice dictates when to alternate between yarns in the colourful centre band.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Brooklyn Tweed Tones Light and Loft. Both yarns are fingering-weight, springy 2-ply woollen-spun yarns made of 100% wool.
Pauliina Kuunsola — Pisara
Keep your hands warm in the super-simple Pisara mittens that use up the last lengths of leftover yarns. Owing to the simple construction, the pattern is easy to modify, too.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Magpie Fibers Nest Worsted (for MC), a worsted-weight non-superwash 100% Corriedale wool. For CC, various scraps of different worsted-weight yarns were used.
Julia Wilkens — Daunen
One of the designer Julia Wilken’s friends calls small, quick knitting projects “palate cleansers” that prepare you for the next big project. That’s exactly what these cute mittens are!
Yarn: The sample pair was knitted in Biches & Bûches Le Gros Silk & Mohair, a fluffy, DK-weight silk-mohair yarn, Retrosaria Rosa Pomar Mondim, a non-superwash, fingering-weight wool, Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift, a 2-ply fingering-weight wool and Purl Soho Linen Quill, a fingering-weight wool-alpaca-linen yarn.
Bags & Home Decor
Susan Chin — Squircle
The rounded-off square shape of this pin cushion is the result of a circle seamed to a square: together, they make a Squircle! Stuff with carded wool or ends trimmed from favourite projects.
Yarn: For the samples, La Bien Aimée Helix (lace-weight) and Felix (light-fingering-weight) were used. Both are hand-dyed, non-superwash wool yarns.
Eliza Hinkes — Hortensia
Linen stitch creates this tote bag’s sturdy, woven texture. A mix of bulky-weight yarns is used, comprising worsted- or DK-weight yarns held double or fingering-weight yarns held triple.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in a variety of different yarns, such as Sandnes Garn Alpakka Ull (for MC) and the following yarns as CC: Woolfolk Tov DK, Cascade Ecological Wool, Sandnes Garn Sunday, Woolfolk Tynd, Brooklyn Tweed Arbor, O-Wool Legacy DK, Brooklyn Tweed Re-Ply Rambouillet and Knit Picks Palette.
Louise-Anne Petit Lesellier — Carteret
The Carteret pouches were inspired by spring colours on the beaches of western France. Their intersecting straight lines have a fascinating, architectural look, and are also satisfying to knit.
Yarn: The samples were knitted in Phildar Coton 3, a sport-weight cotton yarn.
Maija Kangasluoma — Lykky
This jolly cushion is adorned with bobbles knitted using scraps of yarn in various colours. A nice addition, for example, to a child’s room! “Lykky” is a Finnish dialect word for stitch.
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Madelinetosh Tosh DK (for MC), a hand-dyed superwash merino yarn in DK-weight. For CC, various DK-weight scrap yarns were used.
Elena Solier Jansà — Genciana
Its three-dimensional construction makes this colourwork project a really fun one. Don’t be intimidated by its appearance — the bum bag is as easy to knit as a sock!
Yarn: The sample was knitted in Xolla Pastoreta, a rustic 100% Spanish wool yarn, perfect for colourwork.
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