Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Use Your Stash Faster by Holding Two Strands Together

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One of my favorite ways to use up stash fast is working on projects where more than one strand of yarn is held together while you knit. This is an easy way to make a heavier weight yarn using what you have, and it can make fun effects in your project when you use two (or more!) different colors at the same time.

>>> While you are here check out our post on funny Valentine’s Day cross-stitches. <<<

You can use two yarns held together on whatever project you want as long as you get the correct gauge, but if you’re looking for patterns that were designed to be worked with two strands held together, here are a few patterns to get you started.

If I haven’t been giving you enough patterns to use your leftover sock yarn, the Scraptastic Stash Busting Blanket is definitely the way to go. Designed by Samantha Johnston, it’s a bias knit garter stitch blanket, and you can use two strands of sock yarn held together, or try sport weight held double, or DK or worsted held single (I think maybe DK and sock together would work too). The gauge doesn’t have to be perfectly consistent and this blanket can be as big as you want to use all your leftovers. Grab the free pattern on Ravelry.

Another project you can make with lots of different weights of yarn is this headband from Skeinny Dipping, which is also free on Ravelry. The idea is to come out with a super bulky weight so you can use that alone or combine two or more of any other weight of yarn to make a similar thickness. And because it’s worked from a short side it doesn’t matter if you get gauge, it might just be a little wider or narrower than the one shown in the pattern.

Hold two strands of worsted weight yarn together to make these cozy fingerless gloves, a free pattern on Ravelry from Alisa Hartzel. This comes out to a bulky weight, which makes them super quick to knit and warm to wear. They come in one adult size.

Or try the stash busting Happy Hat from Soly Mossy, which also uses two strands of worsted weight yarn to make it cozy and scrappy. These look really cute even when you’re using a bunch of odd balls, but you can make it more harmonious if you like.

Another great thing about holding two strands at once is that it can make projects more durable, like these dorm boots from Kriskreafter. There are options for men and women, and they’re worked with two strands of worsted weight to make them a little more padded but they also should wear better this way, too. They’re knit flat and seamed and the designer says they can make one in a couple of hours.

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.