Another Way to Use Up All Your Sock Yarn Scraps

I feel like I’ve been writing a lot lately about projects that are made to use up all your scraps, or that could be adapted to use scraps, because they call for mini skeins and the like.

I have been saying this for years, but I really am trying to use as much of my stash as I can, for economic purposes as much as I just like the idea of using what I have. I like the creative challenge of making a project work with the yarn I already have on hand.

If you happen to have a lot of odd balls in the sock/fingering weight category that at least somewhat coordinate in colors, the All Used Up Shawl might be just the project you need to clear out your stash.

This pattern, designed by Julia-Maria Hegenbart, uses two strands of yarn held together to make a DK weight. Change colors whenever you need to in order to use up all your yarn bits.

The body of the shawl is worked in garter stitch with a deep edging that uses slipped stitches for dramatic effect. It’s an asymmetrical triangle and you can make it any size you like to use whatever scraps you need.

In addition to the shawl itself, you can get a pattern for a coordinating shawl cuff free with the purchase of the shawl pattern, which is available on Ravelry.

This pattern looks so squishy and easy and like it would use a lot of yarn.

This is one where you should definitely look through the finished projects on Ravelry as you are deciding how you want to approach this one. I love the tonal quality of the original, but there are others that use more solid stripes, color blocking, a couple of colors throughout or a wild mix that truly looks like using up oddballs. And they all look great! What kind of magic is that?

[Photo: Julia-Maria Hegenbart]

Scarf Knitting Patterns Made with Sock Yarn

Bag Knitting Patterns Made with Sock Yarn

Hat Knitting Patterns Using Sock Yarn

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time.

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring.

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn.

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row.

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves.

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body.

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy.

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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