As avid lifelong knitters and crochet enthusiasts, we’re sure it’ll come as no surprise to anyone who knows us that we have a rather extensive scrap yarn and wool ends collection made up of bits we don’t want to throw out, but that are also a little bit too small to use for an entire project. We’ve got all manners of colours, weights, and types of yarn in there and we’re always keeping an eye out for fun ways to get them used up so that they don’t just clutter out crafting room or go to waste.
Are you feeling just as intent as we are, if not more, in the idea of finding new, creative ways to make crafts with yarn besides just knitting and crochet?
Best DIY Yarn Crafts
Check out this list of 15 fantastic DIY yarn crafts that we’ve come across so far in our search for inspiration and guidance!
1. Simple yarn doll
Are you the kind of person who loves to use crafting and DIY projects as a way to get your kids making things from scratch with their hands, with bonus points for ideas that are old fashioned and might have been regular projects for them in previous generations? Well, particularly if your kids love projects that they can enjoy making and playing with afterwards as much as ours do, then we think you’ll get along quite well indeed with this tutorial from Be Brave, Keep Going that teaches you how to make simple yarn dolls in different sizes. They even give you tips for making the dolls fabric dresses and skirts!
2. Yarn cup weaving
Are your favourite DIY projects usually the ones that have some kind of practical use or function to them, like storage or organization? Then we think you’ll like this idea that we actually tried out and use all the time when we decided the area around our phone was too scattered with pens and writing utensils scattered across the counter! Take a better look at Fave Crafts to see how they made these yarn weaving cups that have all kinds of functions but look great no matter how you use them.
3. DIY “God’s Eye” yarn craft
Did we actually really catch your attention with this whole idea of making things that are a little more old fashioned and that kids have been making for decades, so now you’d like to collect several crafts of that kind so you have ideas ready on rainy days? Then we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Makes and Takes guides you through the process of doing this colourful diamond shaped weaving project that’s commonly called a “God’s eye”.
4. DIY decorative yarn balls
Are your kids the kind of hands-on crafters who love to take almost any chance they can to get a little messy when they’re crafting? Well, especially if you love getting them involved in the crafting process when you made cute little decorative things for your home, then we think you might have a very fun time together making these cool, colourful yarn balls outlined in detail on Cut Out and Keep!
5. Cute yarn pom pom chicks
Like ours, are your kids totally in love with the process of making fluffy yarn pom poms in all different sizes? Ever since we taught our little ones how they’re done, they’ve been making them like crazy in all different colours. Now we’d like to help them learn how to make those pom pom into fun things! These adorable yarn pom pom chicks from Crafts By Amanda are the perfect example of what we mean.
6. 2-minute twisted yarn bracelets
Besides yarn crafts, are your favourite kind of projects to make actually usually jewelry based because you love wearing accessories so much? We love making accessories as well, but we also really love getting our kids involved in making jewelry so that they can learn more about the things we love. That’s why we were so pleased to come across this tutorial from Twitchetts that shows you how to make 2-minute twisted and beaded yarn bracelets so simple that kids can easily make them on their own.
7. Mini yarn hat ornaments
We might not be in the full swings of winter anymore but that doesn’t mean you can’t stockpile slightly more holiday themed ideas to be used later in the year, when you feel like doing a little bit of crafting on a chilly afternoon! We bookmarked this adorable tutorial from Easy Peasy and Fun so that we can learn how to make mini yarn hat ornaments closer to the holidays.
8. DIY yarn and macrame key chains
Have your favourite kinds of projects always been the ones that you can either wear or carry with you like an accessory because you adore showing off your handiwork, even if what you’ve made is very small? Then here’s a great project for the kinds of yarn you only have rather small quantities of left in! This particular tutorial from Think, Make, Share might show you how to make these different kinds of lovely woven keychains using string and thread, but the basic techniques can be translated into being done with different weights of yarn extremely easily.
9. Squiggly yarn bowl
Did we actually really catch your attention when we started talking about doing some messy work involving yarn and wet glue, almost like string based paper maché, but you’re just not sure that the decorative balls we showed you earlier are something you’ll really use? Then maybe you’d get along a little better with something like this funny squiggled yarn bowl instead! Get the details for making one of your very own on Fantastic Fun and Learning.
10. Cute bird made of leftover yarn
Are you actually quite a practiced yarn crafting enthusiast who doesn’t shy away from a challenge? Well, if you have a number of different colours in light weight yarns then you just might be the perfect person to give this adorable leftover yarn bird with beaded eyes and little wire feet a try! Craft Bits shows you how surprisingly easy it actually is to make.
11. Fun yarn octopus
Did we almost pique your attention when we started talking about the idea of making yarn dolls but your kids are actually huge animal lovers who always want their toys and crafts alike to be some kind of adorable creature or critter? Then maybe you’d prefer to make this version of a similar idea from Free Baby Projects that shows you how to make a super fun yarn octopus rather than a little person! We love their suggestions for giving each octopus a different kind of face.
12. Yarn apple garland
Are you actually still scrolling through our list and thinking about how much you like the idea of making yourself something decorative from yarn, but you think your kids will be more interested in doing it with you if it’s a little more themed, rather than being as abstract as the decorative balls or as practical as the squiggly bowl? Then grab the green and red yarn ends from your bin and check out how Red Ted Art made this adorable cardboard and yarn apple garland!
13. Toilet roll yarn bracelets
Maybe you’re still thinking about how much fun the idea of making upcycled yarn bracelets seemed but your kids as a little bit older and you can’t help thinking the previous twisted yarn idea that we showed you above might actually be a little bit too easy for them? In that case, we’d definitely encourage you to take a look at the way Molly Moo grabbed an embroidery needle and some empty toilet paper rolls alongside their yarn stash and made these cute patterned and yarn wrapped bangles in all kinds of bright colours!
14. Beautiful yarn and feather dream catcher
Has your favourite technique that you’ve seen used in the craft options we’ve shown you so far actually been the weaving that you saw in the God’s eye and the storage cups, but you’re just not feeling taken with any if the projects that you’ve seen that weaving technique used in so far? Then here’s one more alternative weaving idea for your consideration before we sign off! Take a closer look at the tutorial featured on Studio Knits SF to see how this stunning yarn dream catcher with pretty fringed yarn feathers was made.
15. DIY yarn monsters
If you’re going to get your kids crafting on a rainy day, would you rather make something a little more whimsical and silly, just to keep them interested and filled with imagination? Then we’d be willing to bet that these funny little yarn monsters might be a little more up your alley! See how they were made in just a few simple steps on Blue Bear Wood.
Have you made other kinds of awesome and super fun yarn crafts before that you were very happy with indeed but that you don’t see here on our list? Tell us all about what you created and how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!
