Laine’s bumper 52 weeks series is back, this time with Scrap Yarn.

We all have them, bits and bobs we have saved from past projects. Single hanks we have treasured and not found a use for. Well Laine is to the rescue. This edition of the 52 weeks series is all about using your stash. Inside are 52 patterns ranging from large jumper projects to small accessories and homewares. They are all designed to use up yarn that you might have lying around and not used up yet. That might be a small project that has a colourwork element designed for small quantities or a larger project that uses the smallest of scraps as an embellishment.

Inside you will find fifty two patterns, mainly knitted but there are four crochet ones. You have a choice between eight jumpers, six cardigans, three slipovers, ten scarves, six pairs of socks, six hats, two headbands, three pairs of mittens, a vest, a collar, a pair of fingerless mitts, a needle cushion, a cushion and a pouch. There is so much in this collection that I would love to knit but I have chosen a hand full to look at in this blog post, mainly looking at the designs that use scrap elements as embellishment.

Aallot by Maria Uzquiano. This textured cardigan has a wavy stitch that is cleverly created by working just knits and purls in a basket weave like way. Knit from the bottom up to the armholes where you change to work on the fronts and backs separately. Short rows create a better fit on the shoulders and then the shoulder seams are joined with a three needle bind off. Double knit button bands give a nice polished finish to the edge. The scrap elements here are created by working small sections of duplicate stitch which almost look like abstract chess pieces on the checkerboard background. This is a great project for those of us that hoard even the smallest of pieces. If you are looking for a yarn for the base of this cardigan I think Hey Mama Wolf Skadi would be a good choice.

Aster by Elena Solier Jansà. This jumper is knit seamlessly from the top down and in the round. A circular yoke construction creates a classic easy shape. The simplicity of the design provides the perfect base for the scrap yarn embellishments. The flower shapes are cleverly embroidered around a bobble stitch which is worked while knitting the body of the jumper. This helps both with flower placement and gives you a shape in which to embroider around. Choose either a worsted weight or two strands of 4ply for the flowers and the jumper is knit in a DK yarn so something like the woolly Hillesvåg Tinde would be good.

Berlin Sunset by Mariia Sordiia. This cabled scarf is knit end to end and uses leftovers in a fun way. As you work the cables stitches either side are dropped. These drop stitches then give you the framework to weave long strands of leftover yarn through. Have fun with lots of different colours and textures and then plait them at the end. The base is knit in a worsted weight yarn so for softness and good cable definition I think Hey Mama Wolf Skadi.

Forma by Lotta H Löthgren. This long triangular shawl has a scrap busting intarsia border that runs along one edge. This narrow edge stripes between different yarns. As long as you are matching a similar DK gauge of the many body of the shawl you can use anything for the contrast edge. Multiple strands for example could be a good way of using up thinner yarns. To finish the shawl the larger blank side is embroidered with a variety of stitch shapes carrying the colour of the edge on to the main body of the shawl. Again I think Hey Mama Wolf Skadi would be a good choice for the main part.

Lozenges by Faye Kennington. This is another simple jumper that is elevated by some scrap yarn embellishment. Knit seamlessly from the top down in a mix of purl side and knit side facing stocking stitch. The v shaped stitches of the knit side along the arm provide the perfect framework for the embroidered on lozenges which are worked by weaving several strands and knotting them either side. Hey Mama Wolf Mokosh would be good for the base.

Lykky by Maija Kangasluoma. I love the elongated bobbles on this cushion cover, especially because they are in different colours. Knit flat in pieces and then stitched together. This has to be a great project for really little bits. Each bobble takes about 85cm of yarn. Fyberspates Vivacious DK would be great for the base.

Pisara by Pauliina Kuunsola. This time simple to knit mittens provide the base for some leftovers. Knit from the cuff to finger tips and featuring an afterthought thumb. The leftover contrast colours appear as single stitches carried over the length of the mitten. For the base yarn I would choose something like Nua Worsted.

Rayas by Elise Young. This hat is knit as a long closed tube so that it can be folded into itself to create cosy two layers. The embellished stripes are crocheted on after the hat is completed. They follow purl stitch grooves that are added while knitting the main hat. The main body of the hat is knit in a 4ply so something like Socks Yeah could be a nice sturdy yarn for this. Then lots of fun can be had choosing your odds and ends for the crocheted stripes.