Recently, Gretchen e-mailed me, "I purchased the Opal Monet Collection and I'd like to use up the scraps. Any suggestions?"
Blender Socks and Manic Panic are good ideas, but I'm thinking that the Sockhead Cowl is my choice. It's simple and I think it would be really cool to have inch or two thick stripes of each of these colors separated by a thin stripe of Opal Unisolid in white or natural.
Can you help with other ideas? I told Gretchen I'd post and ask for opinions on other ways to use up her 8 colors of leftovers, as you all seem to have such great suggestions for me and others when it comes to design ideas. Especially in the Ask the Knitters series we do. Please do help us find something awesome for Gretchen!
Hi Gretchen, How I Roll are shortie socks (you could always make them taller) using a blending technique to use up scraps. Pattern is toe-up or top-down. Really cute!
Posted by: Anissa | June 11, 2019 at 08:11 AM
I like to knit fingerless gloves if I have enough leftover.
If not, baby socks.
Posted by: Diane | June 11, 2019 at 09:01 AM
Hi Gretchen...Land of Sweets cowl and The Southern Charm Cowl came to mind with your left over yarn.
Have fun choosing something that will remind you of your projects.
Posted by: Louann Chatfield | June 11, 2019 at 10:47 AM
Hi Gretchen. I'm using my leftover sock yarn to make tiny socks using Classic Elite Yarn's "Mini Socks" pattern. They make cute Xmas tree ornaments or you can string together to make a longer hanging. I've been rolling dollar bills or gift certificates and stuffing them into the socks as gifts for grandchildren. These are also good sellers at group holiday sales events.
Posted by: Joyce Correia | June 11, 2019 at 11:22 AM
I'm using my leftovers to make a "Fiddly Bits" infinity scarf.
Posted by: Pat | June 11, 2019 at 11:28 AM
No on the cowl, Opal is great sock yarn. Key word is Sock. This is not snuggly yarn. Just my opinion.
Posted by: Cindy Carpenter | June 11, 2019 at 11:43 AM
The Sock Knitters Anonymous groups does monthly themed knits and leftovers comes up every coupme years. I think this shows the most recent patterns used from 2017: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#pattern-topic=3629721&photo=yes&sort=created_&view=thumbs
From that list, Cranberry Biscotti socks are always what I plan to knit, but I'm bad at follow through.
Posted by: sprite | June 11, 2019 at 12:10 PM
Monster Socks (there's a wonderful Ravelry group) which are just socks from multiple yarns, especially scraps.
Beekeepers quilt. Knit hexipuffs!
LOSY Hats https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#sort=best&inline=&query=LOSY%20hat
Posted by: Andy | June 11, 2019 at 12:53 PM
I’m using my leftover sock yarn to knit squares for a Barn Raising Blanket. It’s a forever WIP!
Posted by: Sandy W | June 11, 2019 at 03:37 PM
On Instant gram have seen lots of "scrappy" socks using multiple leftovers in a single sock. Currently I am taking my left over sock yarns holding 2 together and making "Marled hats" for the Homeless. Pattern is LOSY hats (Left Over Sock Yarn) pattern on Ravelry. Have fun with all the suggestions :)
Posted by: Kelly | June 11, 2019 at 05:43 PM
I love to use leftover sock yarn for socks for my grandson, and baby socks. But also have started a Blankie
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sock-yarn-blanket
Posted by: Susan James | June 11, 2019 at 08:19 PM
I have done helical knitting with a scrap and a solid, changing colors at the end of a round. Fiddly bits is a cool scarf pattern. A mitered square or granny blanket if you crochet could be a long-term project. Miniature stockings for an ornament or a baby would also be nice.
Posted by: Jessica | June 12, 2019 at 07:24 AM
I was at a yarn trunk show at a LYS and a spinner was working on her wheel, with the most beautiful pair of socks on her feet. I asked her what yarn she used and she said it was all her leftover sock scrap yarn with her favorite "vanilla sock" pattern. You could see that some of each scrap was represented in both socks, in narrow bands, but the bands might be wider or narrower by a row or 2 -3, but no wide bands. They were the most striking, beautiful, unique (but not identical) socks I've seen (she has great taste in sock yarn and putting colors together) and I aspire to make a pair like that some day, when I've generated enough scraps of sock yarn.
Posted by: Diane | June 12, 2019 at 11:18 AM
I used a lot of mine in a Zik-Zak scarf. Available on Ravelry for free. I loosened the gauge and only cast on 72 stitches. Still have plenty left.
Posted by: Pat Girbach | June 14, 2019 at 02:31 PM
I use bits of leftover sock yarn for baby slippers, the Magic Slippers pattern in Ravelry.
Posted by: Susann | June 14, 2019 at 04:26 PM
I'm planning to make the Vertical Kaleidoscope Cardigan pattern in Ravelry.
Posted by: JoAnne B | June 18, 2019 at 08:51 AM