Free Scrap Yarn Patterns for Crochet

The granny square is one of the most popular scrap yarn projects; you can crochet each round using a different yarn.

I crocheted my sample square using a rainbow of scrap yarn colors, but you could use any random colors for the outlines -- they don't have to form a perfect rainbow. It would be lovely to try this pattern using only fall colors, for example.

Again, don't feel compelled to make this project exactly as shown; feel free to use random colors of scrap yarn to crochet the stripes on this square.

Multicolored Crochet Flower: (Pictured at left) You can use short pieces of scrap yarn to crochet the innermost rounds of this flower.

Small Flat Flower Applique: This is a small, easy flower pattern. The flower has six petals that are slightly rounded, and the flower is crocheted in one color. It's only two rounds -- quick and simple!

If you have a substantial collection of scrap yarn, crocheted flowers are generally a great way to use it up. You might want to check out the following links to find even more great flower patterns:

• Crochet flower photos -- browse through a picture gallery showing lots of different flowers you can make using the free crochet patterns and instructions on our website.
• Easy crochet flower patterns

If you have massive amounts of scrap yarn in your stash, you could use it to make a scrapghan out of hexagons. If you don't have all that much scrap yarn, try combining the scraps with purchased yarns to get a bit more mileage out of your yarn budget. Or you could aim for making a smaller project -- perhaps a pillow.

Keep in mind that you don't need to work from a crochet pattern; freeform crochet is one of the best ways I can think of to use up scrap yarn.

The hat pictured at left is a great example of a freeform scrap yarn project. I used up little bits of blue scrap yarn along with a brand new skein of the green yarn to crochet and knit the hat using freeform techniques.

Erica Jackofsky gives you complete instructions for how to crochet a shawl using scrap yarn. Each shawl you crochet using this pattern is sure to be a colorful, one-of-a-kind original!

• See also: free crochet patterns for shawls, wraps and ponchos

If you're into designing your own crochet projects, it's good to know a variety of different crochet stitches. There are certain stitches that work really well for using up scrap yarn. Here are links to a couple of them:

• Lacy interrupted v-stitch (pictured)
• Vintage pineapple stitch from 1917

Got scrap embroidery floss in your craft supplies stash? Check out Connie Barwick's suggestions for ways to use it up.