These quick projects for the home are designed to use up those leftover bits of yarn. Most are free. Updated 3/6/23
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
Jewelled Cup Cozy
Colorful cup sleeve with a stranded chevron design. Great stash buster for using up leftover yarn scraps. Also looks like it would a good way to try stranded knitting. DK weight yarn. Designed by Better Homes and Gardens.
Spring Bunting
Pattern for a complete string of 11 striped and solid bunting flags with letters to spell ‘Spring’, flowers, chick, bunny, and butterfly. Great way to use up leftover or scrap yarn. Designed by Frankie Brown. DK weight yarn.
Lobby Dishcloth
Garter stitch disch cloth with mitered squares for extra interest and optional border. Great way to use up leftover or scrap yarn and the garter stitch texture is great for scrubbing. Designed by Kay Gardiner. Worsted weight yarn.
Mason Jar Cozy
Mason jar cover with lid. Most jar cozies I see just wrap around the bottom but this covers the lid too with a little hinge in back so it's great for kitchen decor and gifts. Pictured are the original design by Natalie Sheldon and an adaptation by another knitter loueys with a button tab. Great stashbuster for using up leftover yarn. Worsted weight yarn.
Dryer Balls
These knit and felted dryer balls can decrease machine drying time and might soften clothes without the use of chemicals. These dryer balls created by knitting a wool yarn cover for a ball of yarn and then felting, so it's a quick way to use up a lot of leftover yarn. NOTE: The designer originally used acrylic for the interior but says it wasn't heavvy enough and recommends wool. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Meredith McFarland. Pictured projects by Elaine6 who knit with covers and Maaike27 who just felted wound up balls of yarn
Mug Cosies
Set of 5 mug jacket cozies embellished with a fuzzy sheep, cupcake or fairy cake, hearts and buttons, stripes, and one for knitters with a label on front with "She Who Knits" and a yarn ball and needles on the back. Great stashbuster for using up leftover yarn. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Frankie Brown.
Missoni-Style Vase Cozies
Chevron striped covers to dress up flower vases. 2 row repeat. 3 sizes. Great stashbuster for using up leftover yarn. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Vickie Howell.
Bex Pillow
May only be free a limited time. Easy cutomizable pillows constructed from modular hexagons in garter stitch. Uses only knit and SK2P stitches. Can be modified to work with any gauge or size. Great stashbuster for using up leftover yarn. Designed by Stephanie Earp.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the pictured Noro Kureyon yarn
- See more Colorful Pillow Knitting Patterns
Stripes + Blocks Towel Set
Matching Bath Towel, 2 Hand Towels, and 6 Washcloths knit in a simple two-row slip stitch pattern that creates a beautiful ripple. Designed for at least 6 colors, it's perfect for mini skeins or stashbusting. Size: Bath Towel: 26 inches wide x 49 inches long, Hand Towel: 20 inches wide x 30 inches long, Washcloth: 8 x 8 inchesApproximately 12 inches wide x 11½ inches long. Designed by Purl Soho. Fingering weight yarn.
LEGO Brick Doorstop
Clever yet easy LEGO door stop created from a brick, bottle caps, and a skein of DK yarn (might use more depending on size of brick and skein). Not only a great stashbuster but also a great way to recycle items you might otherwise throw away! Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by lizzyastro for Instructables. Pictured projects by EmilyBlades and the designer.
Colorful Half + Half Washcloths
Using a clever short-row pattern without any picking up or seaming, these dish or wash cloths are knit in garter stitch with geometric patterns. Designed for at least 5 colors, it's perfect for mini skeins or stashbusting. Size:Approximately 12 inches wide x 11½ inches long. Designed by Purl Soho. DK weight yarn.
Easy In Bloom Wreath
Knit up this cheerful wreath to add a fun pop of color to your home. Create a full bouquet in no time of gorgeous flowers by working knit, purl and simple shaping. Instructions for knitting 3 different types of flowers and leaves that can be used for a floral wreath, decoration, or embellishment of other projects.The pattern says crochet but the flowers and leaves are all knit. Rated easy by the designer. Great stashbuster!
Modular Butterfly Square
Six inch square featuring a butterfly design using oddments of DK yarn that can be used as afghan block, dish or wash cloth, coaster or other knitting projects. Designed by Janis Higgs.
More Free Patterns
Hippie Potholders
Circle potholders worked using doubleknitting technique so they're reversible. Good pattern to use up leftover yarns. Worked in the round. Designed by Phazelia. Sport weight yarn. Pictured projects by the designer and strick-tick
Bottle Drip Catcher
Keep your olive oil and other liquids from running down the sides of bottles and making a mess on your countertop and hands. This drip catcher is like a short sock with the ribbed cuff folded down to add an extra layer of absorbency. The decorative ruffle edge also helps keep the bottle cleaner. Finished size: about 1 ¼ inches tall (folded) and 4 inches in circumference Uses just 14 yards (13 m) of Fingering weight yarn. Olive Oil Drip Catcher designed by Patti Henry. Pictured projects by designer and KnittingLinguist.
Twisty Lace Basket Trim
Dress up a gift basket, Easter basket, or your own baskets with this easy 4 row repeat lace trim. Approx. 19” circumference by 2” high (unstretched) – will stretch to fit basket circumference of 26”. Uses just 75 yards (69 m) of Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Kathy North
Fruit Cozies
Make cozies to protect your tasty fruit to pack for lunches or snacks. It makes a great gift for hikers, campers and kids - or, take it to work with you. 2 Sizes Approx 2½" (3½)" [6 (9) cm] in diameter. Designed by Bernat. Worsted weight yarn.
Plant Pot Sweater
Cozy for plant pots or candle jars knit with a 4 row repeat slipped stitch. Great idea to dress up plant gifts for Mother's Day, Easter, and housewarmings! Designed by Sara Myers. Uses just 5 - 20 yards (5 - 18 m) of Aran weight yarn.
Cozy for TP as Tissue or Wipes
Easy instructions for creating a toilet paper roll holder that functions as a tissue box. With a little adaptation I think it would make a great cozy for wipes. Uses 50 - 100 yards (46 - 91 m) of Aran weight yarn. Designed by Kyrie. Pictured project by mooloolaba13 and Knitterlee
Box of Chocolates Afghan Block, Wall Hanging, or Gift
Clever way to display your handmade or decorative buttons in a knit "chocolate box" or to create a unique gift for a crafter you know. You can even top some of your candy buttons with smaller buttons, beads, fabric flowers, ribbon roses, etc. Uses just 150 - 180 yards (137 - 165 m) of Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Hazel Roots of KnitYoga.
Pin Pennant
Wall hanging to display your enamel pin collection, buttons, badges, jewelry, patches, or other pinnable collectibles. Or hang by itself as a piece of art. Great for leftover or stash yarn because it uses 70 - 75 yards (64 - 69 m) of Worsted weight yarn. May only be free a limited time. Designed by Billy and Baa.
Mini Tray
Knit a mini tray to stow your small supplies or use it as a coaster! This is a fast project that’s perfect for beginners and a great way to use a partial skein of yarn. Great for leftover or scrap yarn because it uses about 40 - 45 yards (37 - 41 m) of Aran weight yarn. Designed by Mollie Johanson.
Love and Home Signs
Wallhangings of knit letters arranged in a block spelling out either LOVE or HOME. Perfect for stashbusting. Designed by Frankie Brown.
Dazzling Diamond Bath Mat
Mat or rug with colorful diamond pattern. Designed for at least 5 colors, it's perfect for stashbusting. Size: 64cm x 92cm (25in x 36in). Designed by Purl Soho. Super Bulky weight yarn.
Color Study Dishcloths
Set of 6 dish or wash cloths knit with 2 or 3 colors so they're great for stashbusting. Includes Garter Blocks Dishcloth, Slip Stitches Dishcloth, Bubble Stripes Dishcloth, Crazy Chevron Dishcloth, Stair Steps Washcloth, Triangles Washcloth. Finished size: Approx 10” x 10” (25cm x 25cm) Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Rae Blackledge for Willow Yarns
Mandala
This mandala is knitted back and forth, then joined and blocked to shape. It’s knitted with scraps of 4 ply yarn and measures about 26 cm / 10 “ across. A felt backing gives it more weight so that it can be used as a mat. Designed by Frankie Brown
Protect-Your-Floor Socks
Jodi Lewanda came up with these clever furniture leg socks for Red Heart. Cute, practical, and a great use for scrap yarn!
Clock Cozy
This Colorful Clockwork Cozy by Retrobaby is very easy. She knit a strip in garter stitch and fastened the ends together, crocheted a neat edge for the front (though you could knit a selvedge), then gathered the back edge with thread to hold it around the clock edge. Use your imagination and your scrap yarn to create a unique piece of home decor. MrsKnitsalot used a zigzag chevron lace pattern on her clock. Marijke11 adapted the pattern to cover the edge of patio table (no project notes unfortunately!).
Patterns for Purchase
Draft Excluders
No longer free. These dachsund, caterpillar, and rattlesnake softies double as draught excluders to block cold drafts under doors and as cuddly toys. Designed for 7 or 8 colors, they're perfect for mini skeins or stashbusting. Size: Dog 89cm long, Snake 96cm, Caterpillar 75cm. Designed by Amanda Berry. DK weight yarn.
- Get the SAUSAGE DOG knitting pattern (still free for a limited time)
- Get the CATERPILLAR knitting pattern
- Get the SNAKE knitting pattern
Flower in a Pot
Brighten someone's day or add cheer to any room with this knit flower in its own knit pot. Knit flat in DK weight yarn. Designed by the talented Amanda Berry from Fluff and Fuzz. A kit is also available.
Stitch a Garden Book
11 Easy-to-Knit Decor Knitting Patterns with floral or botanical theme including Sunflower Coasters, Flower Mug Cozy, Cactus Pincushion, Sachet Bag, Cactus Garden & Hanger, Felted Bowl & Vase, Table Runner, Bouquet. All are great projects to use up leftover yarn! As an added bonus, all are rated Easy! Available in ebook or paperback. Designed by Andi Javori
Convertible Triangle Color Blocked Bowl
This multifunctional color blocked bowl can be folded in various ways to create a reversible bowl, basket or tray. Size 8" diameter. These written instruction include a detailed chart to make working the colorwork a breeze. Designed for 6 colors of Worsted weight yarn, it's perfect for leftover cotton yarn or stash busting. Designed by Erin Black of Midknits. There's also a crochet version
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern on Etsy
- Or get the knitting pattern on Lovecrafts
- Get the crochet pattern on Etsy
Colorblock Washcloths
Collection of six garter stitch washcloths include stripes, knitting on the bias, mitered squares, and garter stitch intarsia techniques. No purling needed! DK weight yarn. Total yardage for all six washcloths shown is about 108 yards 99 m each of five colors, so this is great for scrap yarn or mini skeins. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Edie Eckman.
Floral Wreaths
Wreaths with knit flowers and nature friends on rattan wreaths. Perfect for leftover or scrap yarn. Pictured are Summer Wildflower Wreath with Poppies, Cornflowers, Bees, Butterflies and Ladybirds; Ring of Spring Flowers including Periwinkles, Grape Hyacinth and Cherry Blossoms; Easter Wreath with daffodils and blossoms. DK weight yarn. Designed by iKnitDesigns.
Flower Pot Door Stop
A knitted flowerpot with wild roses and daisies. Can be used as a doorstop or a flower arrangement for your house. Great gift and stashbuster! Designed by iKnitDesigns. DK weight yarn.
Broom Buddy
This friendly helper with pompom hair fits over the end of your broom so you can use it to dust tight corners the broom can't get to. Uses just 10 - 12 yards (9 - 11 m) of Worsted yarn so it's perfect for leftover or scrap yarn. Great quick gift. Designed by Frugal Knitting Haus.
Coat Hanger
This is a really easy way to transform those old padded coat hangers hanging in your wardrobe. Uses just 50 grams of dk yarn in main color plus extra in contrast color so it's a great stashbuster. You will need coat hangers that have removable (screw in) hooks, as you will need to remove them before fitting your knitted fabric. Great quick gift. Designed by LouiseNewtonDesign.
Cord Organizer
This nifty little knitting pattern turns the chaotic tangle of your headphones and other household cords into perfectly organized bundles of cuteness! 2 sizes. Uses only 30 – 35 yards (27 – 32 m) so it’s great for scrap yarn. Great quick gift. Designed by Valya Boutenko
