What to do with leftover half-skeins...

[cristeen]

I've been dyeing my own yarn to use for making wool covers, and have discovered that I have pieces leftover. Some half-skeins, some 1/4 skeins, etc. None of the colorways really go together. What can I do with these? I'd love to figure out some way to use them for more diaper covers... but would that just be using the dyed for the waist band and then switching to undyed when I run out, or what? I'm not sure I can use two skeins for one set, the colors are that different... Anyone have any thoughts?

[Theia]

Well, if you don't want to use them for more diaper covers..... you could make a patchwork type blanket, or hot pads for the kitchen, or maybe a childs hat? Not sure if those are the types of suggestions you are looking for.

[ShadowMom]

You could make little ornaments for next year with them.

Or, yo ucould make knitted bookmarks.

You could alternate two colors to make a stripey hat, like the "Turn A Square Hat" by Jared Flood whichi s available for free to Ravelry users. That pattern was designed to use up scraps, I believe.

You could knit Calorimetry: http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTcalorimetry.html or Quant [URL="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTquant.html"[/URL]

You could knit some fingerless mitts - these usually take a full skein, but you could alternate two half skeins.

You could combine all of the scraps to make a simple shawl for around the house.

If it's wool, which it sounds like it is, you could make felted coasters.

HTH!

[Juvysen]

I'd totally do stripes. What colors are they? can you post pics? If you throw in some undyed stripes along with the dyed colors, it could help with making them seem to go better together.

[prettyflwrs]

I make small toys out of my scraps.

Traveling Gnomes are my favorite right now:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18561897@N05/3114627644/
and they use very very little yarn.

When I have a larger amount of left over yarn I make bears and other small stuffed toys.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18561897@N05/3039242931/

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by Juvysen

I'd totally do stripes. What colors are they? can you post pics? If you throw in some undyed stripes along with the dyed colors, it could help with making them seem to go better together.

That's a fabulous idea! Stripes!!

I could probably do that, although it'll be a first.

Thank you, ladies, for the suggestions!

[PJsmomma]

I'd say stripes, or save for small projects.

I've just started keeping all my scraps that are not tiny and tying them all in one "magic ball".
The idea I got it from just knit a crazy scarf like Grandma's crazy quilt.

I already have a good sized ball of yarn and it would have all been thrown away!:

[courtenay_e]

There's a nifty hat I've wanted to try. She makes a bunch of triangles out of leftover yarn and then sews them together into a hat with ear flaps. Totally cool.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by PJsmomma

I'd say stripes, or save for small projects.

I've just started keeping all my scraps that are not tiny and tying them all in one "magic ball".
The idea I got it from just knit a crazy scarf like Grandma's crazy quilt.

I already have a good sized ball of yarn and it would have all been thrown away!:

I do this too, just tying on the end of the row (I crochet). My kdis call it "the blanket of many colors".