You all should know by now that I’m a big fan of using your yarn leftovers in different projects. Sometimes I even challenge myself to use whatever yarn is left from one project in the next project I’m working on so those leftovers never really become stash.
Of course that’s not always possible to do (nor would you always want to) so there are also odd balls and leftovers that end up lurking deep in the stash, waiting for the right project.
I love what Cashmere & Beach did with their leftover yarn, making a fun multi-step project in the process. They used Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool, but any naturally colored wool could be used for this project (you can probably also do this with natural cotton yarn, but it needs a little more preparation, according to this post from Casale Crafts).
First they dyed the yarn with carrot tops, giving it an interesting green and yellow color. They then knit the yarn into a little zip project bag, with a knit twine base for extra durability.
Even if you don’t want to go to all that trouble, this is a good pattern for a little project bag that you could make with any worsted weight yarn (or use a different weight to make a bag of a different size). Make it with a single color of yarn or bring all your odd balls together to make a bag the size you like.
And of course you don’t have to use the twine on the bottom if you don’t have any on hand or don’t want to deal with knitting with it. It’s very choose your own adventure.
Best of all, you can get the pattern for free on Ravelry, and the designer has tutorials about the dyeing process and how to knit the bag on YouTube if you need more guidance.
[Photo: Cashmere & Beach]
A Bunch of Knit Bags to Hold Your Stuff
Easy Peasey Beginner Bag – Free Knitting Pattern
This Easy Peasey Beginner Bag is exactly the sort of knitting project you want when you need something simple, useful, and not too precious. It’s worked in garter stitch with chunky texture from feather yarn and 8-ply wool, then finished with bag handles — or oversized bangles if you’re raiding the bargain bin like a true crafter. A great beginner-friendly knitted bag pattern for using up novelty yarns.
Easy Peasey Beginner Bag
Felted Tote Bag – Free Knitting Pattern
This Felted Tote Bag is a fun knitting project if you’ve been wanting to try felting without tackling anything too complicated. The bag is knitted in the round using worsted wool, then felted in the washing machine to create a sturdy, practical tote with lovely handmade texture. It’s one of those projects where tiny knitting mistakes magically disappear during felting — always a bonus.
Felted Tote Bag
Cleo Evening Purse – Free Knitting Pattern
This Cleo Evening Purse is a sweet little knitted bag pattern with a dressier feel, using metallic or slub-style yarn paired with a fuzzy yarn for texture. It’s a lovely option for knitters who want to make a small handmade purse for evenings out, weddings, parties, or gift-giving. Add ribbon handles or decorative ties and you’ve got a cute statement bag that feels far more special than a basic pouch.
Cleo Evening Purse
