Do you have leftover yarn? For most knitters and crocheters, it is a strange question! Of course we do! There are so many groups where crafters discuss what you can make with scrap yarn. Here is an easy way to get rid of much of it and, at the same time, create something beautiful and colorful. You can use the chain yarn equally well for crocheting and knitting.

I crocheted this cushion using chain yarn. See video about the making of it!

Method

Select leftover yarns of any length that are approximately the same weight. You can use even tiny balls. Use a crochet hook that matches the yarn weights. For example, I used Sport, DK and Worsted weight yarns together, they are quite close in thickness, and a hook 4 mm.

Start chaining. When the first scrap yarn is finished, take another one. I have used two different ways of joining the yarns:

1. Set the yarn ends over each other, facing opposite directions. Continue to crochet, taking both yarns. Crochet a bit tighter than with just one yarn. Chain 6-8 stitches with both yarns, then continue with only the new one. This way you can just cut the yarn ends, no weaving in is needed.
2. Twisting the two yarns. You criss-cross the old and new yarn tails and crochet with both. The difference to Method 1 is that this way you will not have two colours of yarn in the chain at the same time. Here also you can just cut the yarn ends, they won’t come loose.
   

Create colourful balls of the chain yarn. To knit or crochet, use large needles and hooks. I crocheted using an 8 mm hook.

Here are some ideas what you can use the yarn for:

• Blanket, afghan
• Baby blanket
• Pillow cover
• Bag
• Basket
• Jacket
• Rug
• Cat or dog bed
• Seat cover
• Slippers

Watch the video about this technique, including the two ways of joining yarns:

Pin the scrap yarn from chain idea: