20 Ways to use up Yarn Stash (that isn’t Knitting or Crochet!)

Do you need to use up your yarn stash? Then you're in the right place.

Whether you've accumulated leftover bits from previous projects or found yourself with more yarn than you know what to do with, finding creative ways to use it can be both fun, enjoyable and rewarding.

Knitting and crochet may the most obvious ways to work through a stash, however, there are plenty of alternative ideas that don’t require needles or a hook.

From home décor to kid-friendly crafts, you can easily transform your yarn into something gorgeous and useful.

So without further ado, here are twenty creative and practical ways to put your yarn to good use - without picking up your needles or hook!

How to use up Yarn Stash

1. Embroidery

Yarn embroidery is a great way to add texture and dimension to fabric. It's also incredible mindful and therapeutic.

Use up yarn stash to:

• 1. Embellish clothing or tote bags with colourful yarn stitches.
• 2. Create textured wall art using thick yarn on fabric or canvas.
• 3. Decorate pillowcases, hand towels, or fabric panels with bold designs.

It’s an easy way to personalise textiles and therefore experiment with different stitches and textures

Next Steps: Firstly, you'll need some fabric, an embroidery hoop, and a large embroidery needle. Then find some simple designs and experiment with different stitches to see what works best with your yarn. Search on the internet, or Pinterest, for how-to guides or online embroidery tutorials, so you can watch and get started.

2. Gift Wrapping & Decorative Ties

Leftover yarn makes beautiful and eco-friendly gift wrapping. It's also a great way to personalise your gifts. I love colour-matching yarn, or using contrast colours so that it stands out.

Use up yarn stash to:

• 4. Tie around presents instead of ribbon.
• 5. Make pompoms or tassels for decoration.
• 6. Wrap around jars or bottles for a rustic look.

It’s a great way to add a handmade touch whilst also reducing waste.

Next Steps: Collect small balls of yarn in various colours and keep them in a box with your wrapping supplies. Try using different tying techniques or layering multiple strands for a unique effect, so you can gift your hand-wrapped present with pride.

3. Make Yarn Pegs to play with colour

This is my favourite because I love making and using yarn pegs to help me choose colour for my knitting or crochet projects.

If you have lots of small yarn scraps, turning them into yarn pegs is a great way to explore all the different colour combinations.

Try:

• 7. Wrapping yarn around wooden pegs or clothespins so you can use them like shade cards.
• 8. Grouping shades together to plan future projects, so you have a clear plan for using your yarn stash.
• 9. Using them as an easy colour reference for stash-busting ideas.

This is a useful tool for planning projects and making the most of your yarn collection.

Next Steps: Find some wooden pegs or clothespins then start wrapping small lengths of yarn around them. Store them in a box or jar and use them to experiment with colour schemes for future projects.

4. Crafting with Kids

Yarn is a fantastic material for kids' crafts, because there is so much you can do!

Some easy ideas include:

• 10. Yarn-wrapped shapes or letters.
• 11. Pom-pom creatures.
• 12. Friendship bracelets.
• 13. Homemade looms, made with cardboard, for weaving yarn.

Using up your stash this way is fun, creative, and also keeps kids entertained.

Next Steps: Set up a crafting station with basic supplies like glue, scissors, and cardboard cutouts. Then let kids choose their favourite yarn colours and encourage them to create their own unique pieces.

5. Home Décor & Upcycling

Stash yarn can add colour and texture to everyday items.

Try using up yarn stash to:

• 14. Wrapping old bangles or headbands.
• 15. Decorating lampshades or vases.
• 16. Wrapping polystyrene shapes like eggs or baubles.
• 17. Creating textured picture frames.

These simple projects give new life to old objects while using up yarn scraps.

Next Steps: Look around your home for old items that could use a refresh. Choose colours that complement your décor then start wrapping or embellishing to give them a new look.

Bonus Idea: Make a Yarn Rug

If you’re looking for a way to use up a large amount of yarn, consider making a rug!

Options include:

• 18. Finger knitting or braiding long strands then sewing them together.
• 19. Using a latch hook technique to create a thick, plush rug. You could even use an old sack as the cloth foundation.
• 20. Weaving yarn into a DIY floor mat.

This is a great way to create something functional whilst using up your yarn stash.

Next Steps: Decide on the style of rug you’d like to make then gather the necessary supplies. Start with a small sample (this could be a small wall hanging) to test your technique before committing to a full-sized rug.

Final Thoughts
Just because you’re not knitting or crocheting doesn’t mean your yarn stash has to sit unused! With a little creativity, you can transform leftover yarn into beautiful, practical, and fun projects.

Have you ever tried any of these ideas? Let me know in the comments, so we can all be inspired!

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And if you need help choosing colours for your crochet or knitting, you can read my blog post all about choosing colours here