These sweater, poncho, and other clothing projects are designed to use up those leftover yarn. Many of the patterns are free
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
Broken Stripe Cardigan
Cardigan knit in an all over brocade stitch with geometric patchwork. Great for stashbusting. Sizes S–L (1X/2X). Designed by Nicky Epstein for Lion Brand. Worsted weight yarn.
Deep V-Neck Pullover
Tunic length pullover sweater with marled stockinette designed for 7 different colorways so it's great for mini skeins or stashbusting. Sizes XS/S (M/L, 1X/2X). Designed by Teresa Chorzepa for Lion Brand. DK weight yarn - 2 strands held together.
Le Pouf Sweater
Simple top down stockinette cropped pullover sweater with a faded marl look designed for at least 5 different colorways so it's great for mini skeins or stashbusting. Sizes XS to 5X. Designed by Beata Jezek for Hedgehog Fibres. Fingering weight yarn - 2 strands held together.
Boat Neck Shell
Striped sleeveless top with 2 striping options designed for at least 6 different colors so it's great for mini skeins or stashbusting. Sizes XS to 5X. Designed by Caron. Worsted weight yarn.
Color Block Tank
Flattering sleeveless top designed for at least 5 different colors so it's great for mini skeins or stashbusting. Sizes XS to 5X. Designed by Caron. Worsted weight yarn.
Doreen Striped Pullover
Easy oversized sweater knit flat. Sizes S (M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X). Designed for 5 colors, there are plenty of options to incorporate more and use up your stash and leftover yarn. DK weight yarn. Designed by Lisa Carnahan for Lion Brand.
2 ways to get the pattern
- Get the free WEB VERSION knitting pattern at Joann
- Get the free PDF VERSION knitting pattern and kit at Lion Brand - pattern link is below kit information
- Get the recommended Touch of Merino Yarn at Joann
Petra Sweater
Cropped slightly oversized pullover sweater with 3/4 sleeves knit with 5 different yarn of different textures, colors, and even weights. Sizes (S) M (L) XL (XXL). Designed by Sanne Bjerregaard of Ficolana. Aran weight yarn (for lighter weights, knit with multiple strands held together). Available in English, Danish, and German, Italian.
Less is More Cardigan
Top down cardigan sweater knit in stripes of small amounts of yarn so it's great for leftover yarn or mini-skeins. Sizes S to 3X. Designed by Amy King of Knitty. DK weight yarn.
Day Shift Sweater
Striped pullover is designed to be knit with mini-skeins or leftover yarn. It can be knit flat or in the round. Sizes Bust 34 (38, 41, 46, 52, 59, 63) inches. Designed by Stacy Collingham. Fingering weight yarn.
Scrappy Duster
Long sleeved cardigan knit with garter stitch in simple rectangular shapes and tons of spare scrap yarn! The color-change tie offs at the end of the rows are integrated into the funky side fringe, eliminating the need to weave in ends. Size is customizable. Designed by Regina Weiss of Morale Fiber.
Baw Baw Sweater
Long sleeved tunic length pullover with a flattering flared body. Knit seamlessly from the top down in all knit stitches. Designed to be knit with 2 strands of sock yarn held together it's perfect for stashbusting. But it could also be adapted to one strand of worsted weight. Designed by Sandra Levey
Dusty Party Dress
Fun child's dress with stripes, flowers, and checkerboard designs. Designed for at least 5 colors, it's great for stashbusting. Sizes Age 2- 11 yrs. Designed by Paintbox Yarns. DK weight yarn.
More Free Patterns
Striped Cold Shoulder Poncho Top
This pullover is knit in 2 pieces with shaping for sleeve cutouts and neckline which have ribbed edges. The shaping is mostly charted. Designed by Cheval Blanc Official. Pattern includes English, French, Dutch, German, and Spanish. DK weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern - at the destination page, click on download file, enter your email address, and they will email you a link
- See the Ravelry page
Xtreme Slip Stitches Shrug
This shrug is knit in garter stitch with a graphic design created with short rows and slip stitches in contrasting colors. Designed by Sybil R.
Saige Hooded Cardigan
Child's poncho style sweater with hood. The 5 colors of sock yarn in the sample create a patchwork look. You can use more colors or even leftover yarn, so it's great for stashbusting. Sizes Toddler/Child 1, 2, 4, 6. Designed by Berroco Design Team. Fingering weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Berroco Sox yarn at Amazon
- See more Baby and Child Hoodie Knitting Patterns
Remnants Shrug
This shrug is knit as a flat rectangle and then seamed to form sleeves and lace edging is added on sleeves and collar. Use leftover stash and scrap fingering yarn in stripes to get the multicolor look in the picture. Designed by Andre Sue
Zig Zag Dress
Irina Poludnenko designed this lace dress with a skirt that is knit in the round with chevron lace. Great for stash or multi-color yarn!
Ombre Tank
Espace Tricot’s top achieves its color gradient by knitting with double strands of yarn and then switching colors as you go. Sizes 33.5, 35.75, 38, 40, 42, 46.25, 50.5
- Get the free knitting pattern — the link to the pattern is toward the bottom of the page
- Get the recommended yarn
High Plains Cardigan
This long-sleeved sweater with pockets is knit in a 4 row repeat moss stitch. 5 pieces (back, 2 fronts, and 2 sleeves) and then seamed. The designer Heather Lodinsky and Lion Brand Yarn rate this a Level 2 Easy (beginner +) pattern. Sizes 1X, 2X, L, M, S
Butterfly Dress
This dress is worked in 12 pieces, all in 1x1 ribbing making it stretch to many body sizes and shapes. This is a great stash busting project, using 1 to 12 colours. It’s like knitting a giant puzzle. You could also work only the top half to create a beautiful crop top. Designed by Emily Manasc. Fingering weight yarn.
Yarn Deli Poncho
This easy garter stitch poncho is designed to use up your stash and scrap yarn. It even self-fringes! Designed by Linda Jo Park. Pictured project by WIHH
Color Swatch Sweater
Color blocked pullover sweater knit flat. Great for mini skeins or stashbusting. Sizes XS/S, M, L, XL, 2/3XL, 4/5XL. Designed by Yarnspirations Design Studio. Bulky weight yarn.
Ivy League Vest
Play with colorwork in this fair isle pullover v-neck vest. Knitters used color schemes from pinks to blues to watermelon colors, and beyond. Some knittrs even substituted other fair isle charts with animals, Doctor Who motifs, and more. Designed by Eunny Jang. Sizes 28 (31½, 34¾, 37¾, 41¾)” bust circumference. Pictured projects by the designer and Enebymaria. Need extra help? The designer also offers a class with this pattern.
- Get the free knitting pattern in the free ebook Exploring Color Knitting: 7 FREE Patterns
- Get the pattern class Introduction to Fair Isle: The Ivy League Vest with Eunny Jang
- See the Ravelry projects
Twilight New Moon Bella Vest
Cambria Washington was inspired by the vest that Bella wore in Twilight New Moon.
Miteriffic Poncho
Melody Johnson designed this poncho created from mitered diamond panels are featured in this poncho. The pattern offers suggestions for alternate sleeve patterns. Pictured project by Fibermania
Patterns for Purchase
Stashbuster Sweater
Oversized pullover sweater worked in varying stripes so it's great for leftover stash yarn, though the pattern includes instructions on how to recreate the pictured sweater. Sizes To fit bust, 32/34, 36/38, 40/42, 44/46, 48/50 inches. The main yarn weight is worsted but you can sneak in oddments of DK and aran. Designed by Rosee Woodland.
Saturn Sweater
Cropped jumper designed to be knitted using up leftover yarn ends (or any kind of DK yarn you like!). Contains all the detailed instructions you need on how to achieve the marbled colour effect. This is a straightforward pattern that would be suitable for beginners and advanced knitters alike. Designed by Charlie Millar who also sells the finished sweaters.
Izmir Pullover
Textured women’s sweater featuring stripes of different slipped stitch patterns. Worked in the round from the top down. Designed for three colors of fingering or sport-weight yarn, you could also use more colors, so it's great for stashbusting. Sizes: XS (S) M (L) XL (2X) 3X (4X). Designed by Irina Anikeeva.
Weekend Pullover Sweater
Short cropped sweater with long balloon sleeves, rib cuffs, and a V neck collar. Designed for 6 colors so it's great for stashbusting. Sizes: XS (S) M (L) XL (2X) 3X (4X). DK weight yarn. Designed by Neringa Ruke.
Tiny Dancer Sweater
Pullover designed to help you use up a skein or two of variegated sock yarn, knit with slipped stitch colorwork so you only ever use 1 color on any row, and slip a stitch here and there to make it look like stranded colorwork. Sizes: Finished Bust Measurements: 33 ½(36 ½, 38 ¾, 42 ½, 45 ¼, 48, 51 ¼, 54 ¾, 57 ¼, 60, 62 ¾, 66 ¾)”. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Mary Annarella.
Swinging on the Gate Sweater
Pullover with separate cowl knit in 2 row repeat linen stitch on the bias to form a large plaid design. Sizes to fit bust S: 82-89 cm / 32-35 in; M: 90-97 cm / 35.5-38 in; L: 98-107 cm / 38.5-42 in; XL: 108-119 cm / 42.5-47 in; XXL: 120-131 cm / 47-51.5 in. Great for stash and scrap yarn! DK weight yarn. Designed by Susanne Daum
Ninilchik Swoncho
Pullover poncho sweater with sleeves and an icelandic stranded colorwork on yoke. DK weight yarn. Designed by Caitlin Hunter. 2 sizes, fits XS-M, L-3X
Postcards Tee
The masterful placement of the blocks in this top is what makes the finished look really pop — plus the unique use of complementary colors and textural yarn. S (M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL)
Mezzo Cardigan
This cocoon style cardigan features offset stripe motif and marled color scheme created by holding two strands together. Knit flat in two pieces and seamed. 4 sizes. Designed by Alexis Winslow
