What to do with Leftover Yarn?

After many crocheted hats, a stash of leftover yarn remains in my storage cupboard. While I come from a “waste not, want not” upbringing, I also do not have limitless closet space and love to clear clutter. What to do with all the unused yarn? In the past, I have used yarn scraps to make flowers, pompoms and tassels to embellish hats. I have repaired old clothes with visible mending techniques such as darning, embroidery and crocheting. I have crocheted miniature hats as Christmas tree decorations.

Sorting through my stash, I found a few larger partial balls of yarn, not enough for a hat, but maybe enough for an ear warmer? In fact, yes! I crocheted three ear warmers, also known as headbands. The first was striped in rows of double crochet with two different natural shades of a llama/merino wool blend. The second and third were made using identical post stitch patterns, but demonstrate how varying colours and textures of the raw material can affect the final look of a piece. 

For anyone with a stash like mine, there are plenty of creative ideas on the internet. Below are illustrations of the mug rug and a crocheted granny square pouch that I crocheted with small lengths of yarn. Unleash your own imagination and design something unique.