Hello folks, I’m in the process of organizing my yarn. I face a dilemma because I do not know what to do with the project leftover yarn. The project leftover yarn has accumulated quite a bit over the years I’ve been knitting or crocheting.
I sometimes have a whole skein or two left over and sometimes just a small amount of yarn left over. With a skein or two of leftover yarn, making a hat, a dishcloth, or other small knitted items is possible. I have made such items in the past. I have also donated leftover skeins of yarn to charity.
The small amount of project leftover yarn puzzles me. I have no idea what to do with these bits of yarn leftover from a knitting or crochet project. Below is a picture of a small sample of the leftover yarn that I have. I probably have about 2 bags full of these bits and pieces of yarn.
Leftover yarn a, b, c, d, and e in the image above are from these knitting and crochet projects:
a. Sweaterb. Sweaterc. Blanket (crochet)d. Hate. Cushion Cover (crochet)
Is there something I can make out of this that is aesthetically pleasing? It’s hard for me to find the time. I struggle to find the motivation to mix them up to knit or crochet something. I don’t find the prospect of just knitting or crocheting for the sake of making something very appealing.
Your Suggestions/Feedback:
Do you also have an accumulation of project leftover yarn? Comment below on how you deal with these bits and pieces of project leftover yarn?
Five years ago I posted my first pattern “A Seed Stitch Mitered Dishcloth“. It was a time of social distancing and staying at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since we couldn’t go out much the yard and the flowers became our outdoor retreat. At that time the Hydrangeas were in full bloom (June-July) and I took a picture of these flowers with the “Seed Stitch Mitered Dishcloth”
A Seed Stitch Mitered Dishcloth
It’s five years later, and the hydrangeas are in bloom again.
Hence, the name of the dishcloth pattern for the month is the Hydrangea Dishcloth pattern. The Hydrangea Dishcloth is a mitered square dishcloth with a double vertical decrease and a 1×1 mistake rib stitch pattern. Two stitches are decreased using the double vertical decrease technique. I prefer this technique to the K2tog and SSK techniques I used in the Seed Stitch Mitered Dishcloth. The SSK does not form a straight line like the K2tog or the double vertical decrease.
The Hydrangea Dishcloth is then finished with a round of the wrapped single crochet stitch. Crochet chain stitches are added end of the round for the hanging loop.
Materials Needed to knit the Hydrangea Dishcloth:
Yarn 1: Peaches & Crème in Panorama colorway Yarn 2: Lily Sugar’n Cream in Country Red colorway Gauge: 4.5 stitches per inch in 1×1 mistake rib stitch pattern Knitting Needles: US #7 (4.5 mm) and US #8 (5.0 mm) Crochet hook: G-6 (4.0 mm) Tapestry needle to weave in ends
Knitting Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate level – knit, purl, slip stitches, and familiarity with reading knitting patterns Crochet Skill Level: Basic level with chain one and slip stitch
Abbreviations:
K: Knit
P: Purl
sm: slip marker
pm: place marker
wyif S1: with yarn in front slip one stitch purlwise
RS: right side
s2kp: slip two stitches on the left knitting needle as if to knit 2 stitches together onto the right knitting needle, knit the next stitch on the left knitting needle, and then pass the two slipped stitches on the right knitting needle with the left knitting needle over the knitted stitch (see photo tutorial below*)
s2kp with a stitch marker: slip 2 stitches as if to knit 2 stitches together onto the right needle, remove stitch marker, K1, pass the 2 slipped stitches over the knitted one, place the removed stitch marker back on the right knitting needle
Row 2 (WS): K1, sm, P to marker, sm, P to marker, sm, wyif S1
Row 3 (RS): K1, sm, K1, [P1, K1] till 2 stitches before marker, s2kp with a stitch marker (slip 2 stitches as if to knit 2 stitches together onto the right needle, remove marker, K1, pass the 2 slipped stitches over the knitted one, place the removed stitch marker back on the right knitting needle), K1, [P1, K1] till marker, sm, wyif S1
Row 4 (WS): K1, sm, P to marker, sm, P to marker, sm, wyif S1
Row 5 (RS): K1, sm, [K1, P1] till 2 stitches before marker, s2kp with a stitch marker (slip 2 stitches as if to knit 2 stitches together onto the right needle, remove marker, K1, pass the 2 slipped stitches over the knitted one, place the removed stitch marker back on the right knitting needle), [P1, K1] till marker, sm, wyif S1
Row 6 (WS): K1, sm, P to marker, sm, P to marker, sm, wyif S1
Row 7 (RS): K1, sm, K1, [P1, K1] till 2 stitches before marker, s2kp with a stitch marker (slip 2 stitches as if to knit 2 stitches together onto the right needle, remove marker, K1, pass the 2 slipped stitches over the knitted one, place the removed stitch marker back on the right knitting needle), K1, [P1, K1] till marker, sm, wyif S1
Row 8 (WS): K1, sm, P to marker, sm, P to marker, sm, wyif S1
Repeat Rows 5 to 8 twelve more time (nine stitches remaining at the end of Row 56)
Row 57 (RS): Repeat Row 5
Row 58 (WS): Repeat Row 6 (7 stitches remaining)
Row 59 (RS): K1, sm, K1, slip 2 stitches as if to knit two stitches together, remove marker, K1, pass the 2 slipped stitches over the knitted stitch, place marker back, K1, sm, wyif S1
Row 61 (RS): K1, sm, slip 2 stitches as if to knit two stitches together, remove marker, K1, pass the 2 slipped stitches over the knitted stitch, sm, wyif S1
Slip the last stitch off the knitting needle and onto a US #G-6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook.
The Wrapped Single Crochet Border Edge (worked in the round):
With Yarn 2 make a slip knot (How to Slip Knot) and place the loop onto the US #G-6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook. Insert the slip knot loop through the remaining stitch on the crochet hook and chain 1 (beginning of round)
Turn the work in a counter clockwise direction (see image below) to work the wrapped single crochet border stitch
Step 1: Insert the crochet hook under both the strands of the slipped edge stitch (Side 1). There are two loops on the crochet hook
Step 2: Wrap the working yarn counter clockwise around the crochet hook
Step 3: Yarn over with the working yarn and pull though the 2 loops on the crochet hook as in single crochet (see images below of the worked stitches Side 1 of the dishcloth)
Repeat Steps 1 to 3 all along Side 1 of the dishcloth.
At the corner stitch of Side 1, make 2 wrapped single crochet stitches. Then turn to the first cast on edge stitches (Side 2). Repeat Steps 1 to 3 all along Side 2 until you reach the corner stitch
At the corner stitch, make 2 wrapped single crochet stitches. Then turn to the second cast on edge stitches (Side 3). Repeat Steps 1 to 3 all along Side 3 until you reach the corner stitch
At the corner stitch, make 2 wrapped single crochet stitches. The turn to the slipped edge stitches on Side 4. Repeat Steps 1 to 3 all along Side 4 until you reach the beginning of the round stitch
Slip stitch into the first stitch of the beginning of the round and chain 10 stitches (How to Crochet Chain). Slip stitch the loop on the crochet hook into the fist chain stitch, break yarn and pull yarn through
Weave in the ends. Wash and block the Hydrangea Dishcloth
It’s been five years since the March 2020 post “When life gave me yarn“. At that time a stay at home order was in place for a couple of weeks due to the coronavirus.
What yarn meant to me then:
March 2020
When life gave me yarn, I became an avid knitter.
I started a knitting blog and embarked on a journey paved with intricate designs, colors, and textures.
Thoughts of becoming a fiber artist crossed my path several times.
On this path I also picked up the yarn related crafts of crocheting and weaving.
All throughout the journey recurring dreams of someday designing my own yarn related items beckoned me towards more and more yarn.
Now, despite my efforts to the contrary, the yarn in my life keeps growing and growing.
So, tell me my friends, is this yarn in my life just a temporary haven or is the yarn calling me?
coffeeteaknits.com
And what yarn is to me now:
July 2025
When life gave me yarn, I became an avid knitter and crocheter.
On this journey paved with intricate designs and texture, I discovered the strength of prayer and manifestation.
The meditative rhythm of fiber related crafts soothed me during coronovirus pandemic and health issues.
While on this path I became immersed in creating video tutorials.
Recurring dreams of someday designing my own yarn related items led to publishing fifty two patterns and more yarn.
Now, I’m grateful for the abundance of yarn in my life.
So, tell me my friends, is this yarn in my life here to stay? If so, I must answer.
coffeeteaknits.com
The image in the background above is a cloth I wove using the rigid heddle loom. The yarn Home Cotton® Cone Select Colors in Vineyard Dots colorway for the warp and Jelly Dots colorway for the weft.
Thank you to the fiber related crafts community, subscribers and readers of this blog for your feedback and encouragement all along my journey with yarn.
The With a Twist Dishcloth is a knitted mitered square dishcloth. Two stitches are decreased in the middle every other row to create a mitered square. The dishcloth is knitted using cotton yarn and the twisted stockinette pattern. The mitered square is created using the double vertical decrease technique. The double decrease technique creates a vertical stitch in the center of the mitered square. Dishcloths are budget friendly and versatile in their use for cleaning, wiping, and drying. They are also useful for learning new knitting stitch patterns and techniques. The With a Twist Dishcloth is finished using the crochet moss stitch in the round. This is followed by a round of slip stitch and a chain one border edge. A hanging loop of crochet chain is added to the dishcloth in the end.
Materials Needed to knit the With a Twist Dishcloth:
Yarn: Capri Eco Cotton™ by Loops and Threads® yarn in Gray Splash colorway. The yarn was purchased from Michaels and is now discontinued. Substitute for this yarn can be found on Yarn Sub Gauge: 4.0 stitches / 7 rows per inch after blocking in the twisted stockinette stitch pattern Knitting Needles: US #8 (5.0 mm) for knitting the dishcloth and US #9 (5.5 mm) for cast on. Crochet hook: US size 7 (4.5 mm) for the border edge Tapestry needle to weave in ends
Knitting Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate level – knit, purl, slip stitches, and familiarity with reading knitting patterns Crochet Skill Level: Basic level with chain one and slip stitch
wyif S1: with yarn in front slip one stitch purlwise
RS: right side
s2kp: slip two stitches on the left knitting needle as if to knit 2 stitches together onto the right knitting needle, knit the next stitch on the left knitting needle, and then pass the two slipped stitches on the right knitting needle with the left knitting needle over the knitted stitch
s2kp with a stitch marker: slip 2 stitches as if to knit 2 stitches together onto the right needle, remove stitch marker, K1, pass the 2 slipped stitches over the knitted one, place the removed stitch marker back on the right knitting needle
Knitting Skill Level: Advanced beginner – knit, purl, knit through back loop, slip 2 together Crochet Skill Level: Basic level with chain one and slip stitch
The With a Twist Dishcloth Pattern (text and images for personal use only)
Knitting the Mitered Square:
Cast on 65 stitches (63 stitches plus 2 edge stitches) using a US #9 (5.5 mm) knitting needle using any longtail cast on method of choice.
With a US #8 (5.0 mm) knitting needle begin knitting as follows:
Row 1 (RS): K1, pm, Ktbl the next 30 stitches, s2kp, pm, Ktbl the next 30 stitches, pm, wyif S1
Row 2 (WS): K1, sm, P to marker, sm, P to marker, sm, wyif S1
Row 3 (RS): K1, sm, Ktbl to 2 stitches before marker, s2kp with a stitch marker (slip 2 stitches as if to knit 2 stitches together onto the right needle, remove marker, K1, pass the 2 slipped stitches over the knitted one, place the removed stitch marker back on the right knitting needle), Ktbl to marker, sm, wyif S1
Row 4 (WS): K1, sm, P to marker, sm, P to marker, sm, wyif S1
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 till five stitches left.
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 one more time removing all the stitch makers (3 stitches remaining)
Last Row (RS): sk2p the remaining three stitches (1 stitch remaining)
Slip the last stitch off the knitting needle and onto a US #7 (4.5 mm) crochet hook
Border Edge for the With a Twist Dishcloth (worked in the round):
Round 1 (Crochet Moss Stitch):
With the US #7 (4.5 mm) crochet hook, chain two and then single crochet into the V of the last remaining stitch, chain one (beginning of the round). Turn in counter clockwise direction (see image below)
[Sc in the slipped row edge stitch, chain 1, skip the next stitch], and repeat […] all along the left front side of the dishcloth till the last corner stitch
Sc in the corner stitch, chain 2, sc chain one all in the same corner stitch, turn in counter clockwise direction
[Sc, chain 1 in the next stitch of the first cast on edge, skip the next stitch], repeat […] all along the first cast on edge till the last corner stitch
Repeat step 3 at the corner stitch
[Sc, chain 1 in the next stitch of the second cast on edge, skip the next stitch], repeat […] all along the second cast on edge till the last corner stitch
Repeat step 3 at the corner stitch
Repeat step 4 all along the right front side of the dishcloth till the first corner stitch at beginning of round
Round 2 (Slip stitch, chain 1):
In the beginning of the round corner stitch chain 2 space, [slip stitch in the chain 2 space, chain 1], repeat […] once more . Turn in counter clockwise direction
[In the chain 1 space of the crochet moss stitch, slip one, chain one], repeat […] all along the left front side of the dishcloth
At the corner stitch, [slip one, chain one] twice in the chain 2 space of the crochet moss stitch. Turn in counter clockwise direction
Repeat step 2 all along the first cast on edge of the dishcloth
At the corner stitch, [slip one, chain one] twice in the chain 2 space of the crochet moss stitch, turn in counter clockwise direction
Repeat step 2 all along the second cast on edge of the dishcloth
At the corner stitch, [slip one, chain one] twice in the chain 2 space of the crochet moss stitch, turn in counter clockwise direction
Repeat step 2 all along the right front side of the dishcloth till the last stitch in that row.
The live stitches on a knitting needle of a knitted piece are secured with a bind off row. This is also the last row. There are many bind off techniques. Some examples include the basic knit bind off, the stretchy bind off and the crochet bind off. Other examples include the picot bind off, the Icelandic bind off and so on. The basic knit method is the most common bind off method. In this technique, the first knitted stitch on the right knitting needle is passed over the second knitted stitch. This basic knit bind off is my favorite for blankets, dishcloths etc. since I can easily pick up the stitches to make a more decorative crochet or knitted border edge. I use knitting needles a size or two larger for the basic knit bind off. This makes the stitches easier to pick up for a border edge. The video and written instructions below for the basic knit bind off method are for right-hand knitting.
The Basic Knit Bind Off:
Written instructions for Basic Knit Bind Off Method:
Coffee Tea Knits 