Week 2: A project to suit your scrap basket

Scraptober at Skein · Week 2

What could your scraps become?

You’ve gathered your leftovers and explored the colours. This week, we’re looking at what they might become—from a little accessory to a blanket or a colourful cardigan.

Already making? Keep going! These ideas are here whenever you need them.

01 · Learn

A project to suit your scrap basket

A colourful scrappy Cruiser Cardigan and Log Cabin Blanket in progress

A few tiny balls, a handful of leftovers or a generous collection—each can be the beginning of something lovely. Our new guide explores knitting and crochet ideas for the yarn you already have.

We also look at bringing full stash skeins into scrappy projects, and holding lighter yarns together to give more of your leftovers a place.

Explore the project guide
02 · Try

Find one lovely possibility

You don’t have to make a final decision this week. Start with one idea that makes you want to pick up your needles or hook.

Look at what you have

  • Do you have small scraps or some larger amounts too?
  • Which yarn weights do you have most of?
  • Is there a full stash skein that could join in?
  • What would you enjoy making and using?

A small collection might become an accessory. A bigger basket could grow into a blanket, shawl or garment.

Try a little sample

Make a small swatch, stripe or crochet motif to see your yarns together. Notice the colours, texture and feel of the fabric.

For a DK project, two strands of fingering held together may give lighter scraps a place too. Check the gauge and fabric against your DK yarn, especially for something that needs to fit.

Before committing, check your chosen pattern’s yarn requirements and the care needs of your yarns.

03 · Share

This week’s photo prompt

What are you planning to make?

Show us your yarn with a pattern, a sketch, a little swatch or the first few rows. If your project is already growing, we’d love to see that too.

Share on Instagram and tag @skeinyarn, using #SkeinScraptober, so we can find your post.

Prefer email? Reply to one of our newsletters with a photo. You’re welcome to tell us which pattern you’re using and a little about your yarn.

If you’re happy for us to share your photo on this website, in our newsletter or on Instagram, please let us know which places you’re comfortable with and how you’d like to be credited. We’ll ask permission before featuring your photos.

04 · See

On my needles & in our community

I’m making a scrappy version of my Cruiser Cardigan and another Scrappy Log Cabin Blanket, choosing the next colour as I go in both.

In the cardigan, I’m enjoying a mixture of semisolids, speckled and variegated yarns, with some fluffy texture too. I’ve also decided that the little colour blips on the reverse of garter stitch are too lovely to hide—that’s becoming my right side!

Kristen’s scrappy Cruiser Cardigan with colourful garter stitch stripes and fluffy texture
My scrappy Cruiser Cardigan—colour blips, fluffy texture and choosing as I go.
Kristen’s Scrappy Log Cabin Blanket with colourful knitted sections around a burgundy centre
Another Scrappy Log Cabin Blanket, growing one colour at a time.

We’ll add project updates and community photos here as the week unfolds, with permission and credit to each maker.

Looking for a place to begin? Explore our free Scrappy Log Cabin Blanket recipe or revisit the guide to choosing colours for scrappy projects.

A little company along the way

All scrappy knitting and crochet projects are welcome. There’s no need to keep up with the weekly ideas, and no deadline to finish.

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For project updates, colour ideas and inspiration from the Skein community.