Have a luxury yarn you love but could only afford to get one skein? Or have a skein leftover from another project? Or are on tight schedule or budget for your next project? Try these projects that take just one skein or ball of the recommended yarn. Updated 4/10/23
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
All links on this site are for informational purposes, but please note that some links are to affiliate sellers that pay me a small commission on purchases.
Free Patterns
Paris Roubaix Set
Matching cuffs and cowl set set of cuffs inspired by the winding tracks and cobbles of the classic road cycling race still being run. Knit flat with cables. The set uses just one skein 150 - 220 yards (137 - 201 m) of Aran weight yarn. Designed by Star Athena.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Berroco Remix Yarn yarn at Amazon
- See more One Skein Cowl Knitting Patterns
Diamond Rib Lace Bolero
Lace shrug knit in one piece with an 8 row piece lace and seamed. Uses just one skein 350 - 360 yards (320 - 329 m) of Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Sherri Hughes.
Lucy the Cocker Spaniel Puppy
Adorable puppy dog stuffie pattern with body and ears are knitted flat and sewn together. Uses just one skein 200 - 251 yards (183 - 230 m) of Worsted weight yarn with scraps of yarn for face. Loop stitch is used for the ears and tail. Approximately 8.5 inches tall. Designed by Tricia Wood. May only be free for a limited time.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Lion Brand Heartland yarn at Joann
- See more One Skein Toy Knitting Patterns
Firebird Ballet Scarf
One skein lace scarf inspired by Igor Stravinsky’s ballet "l’oiseau de feu” (firebird), this scarf design depicts the fence of the magic garden with the beautiful princesses behind, while the border depicts the feathers of the firebird. Uses one skein 380 - 400 yards (347 - 366 m) of Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Caoua Coffee.
Hands of Blue
A flowing twisted rib stitch pattern creates a warm and richly textured fabric for these mitts. Options for fingerless, half-fingered or full-fingered gloves are included. Uses one skein 150 yards (137 m) of DK weight yarn. Designed by Lucy Hague.
7 am Legwarmers
Quick and easy pattern. Uses one skein of worsted yearn for size S and M legwarmers, but for L you’ll need two skeins. Designed by Paula Niskasaari for Knitty.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Manos del Uruguay Alegría Grande yarn at Amazon
- See more Leg Warmer Knitting Patterns
Camille Beanie
Slouchy hat knit with a 4 row repeat Cable Lace and a 4 row repeat Cable Rib stitch. Uses one skein (150 yards) of the recommended yarn. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Berroco Design Team.
Hidden Gusset
Fingerless mitts or gloves with simple yet elegant cable design suitable for women and men alike. Uses one skein 180 - 240 yards (165 - 219 m) of Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Mone Dräger for Knitty.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- See more 1 Skein Mitts Knitting Patterns
- Consider supporting Knitty on Patreon
Greater Than One, Two, Three
This slipped stitch pattern herringbone cowl uses just 190 – 200 yards (174 – 183 m) of fingering yarn. Three versions – two Moebius and one regular circular cowl. Designed by Amy Williams to showcase multicolored, specifically Noro, yarn.
More Free Patterns
Ribbed Ear Warmer
Kate Morgan’s headband features ribbing and faux cables in a pattern that takes less than half a skein of the recommended Worsted weight yarn. Pictured project by crazyartfarm
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Malabrigo Yarn Worsted yarn on Amazon
- See more Earwarmer Headband Knitting Patterns
Sagebrush
Hanna Breetz designed this lace shrug that uses just 250 – 280 yards (229 – 256 m) of worsted yarn.
Shrug This
This shrug design by Toni Kayser Weiner is featured in One-Skein Wonders: 101 Yarn-Shop Favorites and is worked seamlessly from the top down. Takes 153 yards (140 m) of Aran weight yarn. I would recommend you read the project notes of other knitters and do a swatch. Many have said the shrug came out too small for them. Pictured project by neuroscientist
- Get the free knitting pattern on the Internet archive
- See the Ravelry page
- Get One-Skein Wonders: 101 Yarn-Shop Favorites
- See more Easy Shrug Knitting Patterns
Her Bobble Hat
Cathy Payson designed this cute hat with optional pompom for Red Heart that takes one skein 198 g/7 oz, 338 meters/370 yards of Worsted yarn.
Glitz at the Ritz Shawl
Helen Stewart’s lovely lace shawlette is designed specifically to be knitted from just one skein of sock weight yarn. Add beads for extra glamour.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended beads on Etsy
- See more One Skein Shawl Knitting Patterns
One Ball Lace Cowl
Nancy J. Thomas designed this easy lace cowl that’s a quick knit with one skein 129 yards (118 meters) of multi-color chunky yarn.
Newborn Baby Blanket
Easy baby blanket by Altadena Green uses just one skein 210 yards (192 meters) of Aran weight yarn. Use more to make larger size. Size around 50 by 50 cm. Pictured project by lunona
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Malabrigo Yarn Worsted yarn on Amazon
- See more Easy Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns
Bamboo Stitch Wristers
I love the bamboo stitch — it’s so easy and pretty. Lorna Miser designed these fingerless mitts that are knit flat with one ball 151 yards (138 meters) of Aran weight yarn. Great with multi-color yarn!
One Ball Shawl
Make this elegant leaf lace shawl with just one ball 280 yards (256 m) or Worsted weight yarn!
Noro Spiral One-skein Hat
Designed by Manuèle Ducret. Available in English, Spanish and German. Pictured project by lmknits
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Noro Kureyon yarn on Amazon
- See more One Skein Hat Knitting Patterns
Lacy Market Bag
Kristin Omdahl designed this tote for Red Heart that helps save the environment and yarn! Uses about 307 yds/ 281 m of sport weight yarn
Patterns for Purchase
Heddle Shawlette
Very simple top-down shawlette with a stitch pattern that looks like a woven fabric, but it’s created using knit, purl and basic lace eyelets, with a picot bindoff. Uses one skein, 400 yards (366 m), of Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Jo Shaw of hardybarndesigns.
- Get the knitting pattern.
- Get the recommended Malabrigo Mechita
- See more One Skein Shawl Knitting Patterns
Philodendra Scarf
Graceful lace scarf or wrap with delicate, vining leaves cascading down the entire length. Uses one skein, 400 yards (366 m), of Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Robin Ulrich.
- Get the knitting pattern.
- Get the recommended Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk
- See more Lace Scarf Knitting Patterns
101 Designer One Skein Wonders
Hats, scarves, bags, shawls, mittens, pillows, and the rest of these designer projects created to use just one ball of yarn make fun and portable weekend projects. All 101 designs are pictured in a full-color project gallery, while clear instructions make it easy for knitters of every skill level to tie up some loose ends.
- See more pics and get book on Amazon (Kindle and Prime available)
- Or get the book at Alibris for less than $2
- See more One Skein Wonders books
Summer Lace Shrug
Mesh lace bolero knit flat in one piece and seamed. Uses one skein, 400 - 450 yards (366 - 411 m), of Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Dana Young.
Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders
Discover the treasures you can knit from single skeins of luxury yarns. More than 100 patterns include elegant wraps and scarves, cuddly baby blankets, evening bags, and dozens of other projects destined to become cherished heirlooms.
- Get Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders on Amazon
- Or get the book at Alibris for less than $2
- See more One Skein Wonders books
One Skein Chalice Scarf
A very pretty lace pattern that only uses basic decreases and yarn overs evolves nicely as it runs the length of the scarf. Uses one skein, 230 yards (210 m), of the recommended lace yarn. Designed by SweaterBabe.
Morgentau Shawl
This lovely lace shawlette takes just one skein of fingering / sock yarn but the pattern includes options for making a larger version, using different weights of yarn, and adding beads. Great for multi-color yarn
Lace Fingerless Gloves
These elegant gloves only use one ball of worsted weight yarn.
Falling Leaves Beret
This lace hat by ApiaryKnits is a perfect one skein project, because it takes approximately 175 yards of worsted weight yarn.
