Knitting Stashbusters: 25 great ways to use up your yarn leftovers of one ball or less

by Fiona Goble

For knitters who want to know how to make use of their stash and avoid waste, this collection of patterns has the answer.Every knitter knows that sometimes you have yarn left over after finishing a make – maybe a whole ball, often slightly less than a ball, but either way too much to just throw it away and not enough to return it to the seller. Then there's the yarn you buy without a particular make in mind, just because it's a beautiful colour, or you love the feel of it, or it was in a flash sale. But what can you do with all these lovely bits and pieces? Knitting Stashbusters has the 25 lovely projects specially chosen to use up your yarn. Some can be made with one ball, others use up smaller amounts of several different shades, but all of them are chosen to save you from wasting what you already have in store. You can make a cute garland of hearts to brighten up a room, or knit a penguin toy for a new baby. Perhaps you'd like to make all sorts of cosies, or knit storage pots and a pencil case. Or you could choose to make a cute cottage doorstop using colours that match your own house. And once you've reduced the size of your stash, what better excuse could you have to go out and buy more yarn!

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction

243 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 11, 2020

Reviews

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute one, with some unusual little knitted projects for using up those small amounts of yarn that we all have lying around. Some are a little bigger - more for that odd ball of yarn left over, rather than truly "scrap" yarn projects. An assortment of pattern levels, but none too difficult. There are a few that include cables or lace or intarsia, but given the size of the projects, that shouldn't make them all too difficult. I'd recommend it for a knitter looking for small projects with enough challenge to make it interesting, or for a more advanced beginner/intermediate who's looking for some smaller projects to learn new techniques.

Some of the projects are ones I've seen around (like the dishcloths or knitted mug cozy) but some are more unique. And quite a number are ones I'd actually make. At first read through, I'd make:
Owl Storage Baskets (so cute!!)
Cow Print Bib (am making a couple baby projects for an expecting friend right now - she might get this one!)
Penguin Toy (of course I love this little guy!)

And while they aren't completely unique, I also like the Wallet and Tablet Cozy too - nice clear instructions with a classic design.

The last chapter includes an illustrated reference for all the different stitches needed - always a plus in a book. And I liked the notes on holding needles and holding yarn too. Just something a little extra to include.

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read a bunch or four of Fiona Goble knitting books so I was expecting a bit more sophisticated shaping from the projects in this book. (Just because you're using a small quantity of yarn doesn't necessarily mean it has to be plain.) Most of the projects here are nicely designed but simple and cute items, good for a beginning knitter. I do question the durability of some of the projects, like the wallet. The door stop is a clever piece that I wouldn't have thought of to do as a knitting projects, but, why not?

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple patterns, easy directions, good for beginners.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait to get started!

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some creative ideas here! Taking away one star because of the entire section on baby things, which, of course, are small, but are more like real projects than stashbusters.