Crochet Stashbusters: 25 great ways to use up your yarn leftovers of one ball or less

by Nicki Trench

For every crafter who has ever wondered how to use the odd ball of yarn left over from a previous project, the answer is here.

Now that more and more of us are buying online, there's always a temptation to add one more ball to your basket than the pattern recommends, just in case you can't get the same dye-lot at a later date. Or maybe you are one of the lucky ones who always seems to use slightly less yarn than you expected. And then there are the flash sales online, yarn shop events, or craft fairs, where piles of yarn at knockdown prices tempt you to buy without a particular project in mind, just because it's there, it's gorgeous, and it's cheap. Whatever the reason for the size of your yarn stash, one thing is certain, you won't want to waste any of it (or worse still, throw it away). This collection of patterns from Nicki Trench is the answer to your 25 makes, small and not so small, which can either be made with one ball of yarn or less, or which use up small amounts of different colors in stripes, squares, or flowers. Many of the makes are ideal as gifts, including baby hats and bootees, toys, cozies, and bunting. There are also projects for the home, such as a stripy pillow cover, egg cozies, and mug warmers. There are also useful tips on choosing substitute yarns and checking your gauge. Now you can stop feeling guilty about your stash, and put it to use instead.

Genres: Crafts, Crochet

96 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2019

About the author

Nicki Trench is one of the leading figures in the revival and promotion of home crafts. As well as teaching, lecturing and feature writing on knitting, crochet, sewing, cake decorating and hen keeping, she is the founder of Laughing Hens, the UK's leading online yarn store, and Rooster Yarns. Her most recent books include Creating Your Garden Farm and 201 Knitting Motifs, Blocks, Projects and Ideas. Nicki also runs Dancing Hens (www.dancinghens.com), a craft studio.

Reviews

[Grace Tierney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always have yarn leftover when I finish a project and although I already have a couple of ways to use them up (because it's just wrong to throw out yarn, right?) - striped cardigans, crochet Christmas paper chains, and the old faithful granny squares - I was hoping this book by a favourite pattern designer of mine would give me more ideas.

The patterns are well written and the techniques and tips at the back are particularly good compared to other books I own, however the range of projects didn't inspire me that much. She has lots of baby projects but I don't have any babies to craft for all the moment and some of the others I already knew how to make.

In the end I did note a handful to try someday - bunting, baby booties, a striped circular cushion. Many of them would make good gifts which is great.

Perhaps best for a learner rather than an expert crocheter.

[Judy Aulik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing to me, because nearly all the patterns were for baby items.

[Liesel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not true one skein projects. Nothing I wanted to make.