Scrap Yarn Rug - Oh My Journey

What is scrap/left over yarn?

After making an item there’s almost always yarn left over (unless you live dangerously and played yarn chicken often.) So the question usually is what to do with these tiny balls of left over yarn. It’s not enough to make another item but it’s not small enough to justify just throwing it away. The solution I found for this burning question was to make a Scrap Rug.

What is a Scrap Rug?

So you may be thinking, “What is a scrap rug?” Well the answer is within the title itself, a rug made out of scrap yarn. I make a lot of items and usually there’s always some yarn left over. It always hurts to just throw away the bit of yarn that was left, but I also couldn’t see myself making much use of it in the future. I wasn’t one who liked to make different items in multiple colors, a huge reason being that I hated weaving (sewing) in yarn ends. Therefore, I just thought that there was no benefit of keeping the bits of yarn but I couldn’t just let them go so I stored them in a glass vase in the meantime.

But then, I came upon a pin on Pinterest that explained on how to knit a log cabin pattern. The pattern was for a blanket (which I knew I would never use) but I had been in the market for a new rug. So I decided to use the pattern I found to make myself a rug instead.

Procrastination Station

Since it was a bit tricky to knit so I held off on it for a long time. During that period I taught myself how to crochet (via youtube) and I was surprise how quickly crochet items worked up. Light bulb! I decide to crochet my rug instead of knitting it. It was exciting now because I wouldn’t have to slip off the stitches onto holders all the time I had to add a new yarn ball, plus it will be easier to pick stitches.

Slowly but surely,

The tiny little yarn balls started to become something more functional. The different textures of the yarn was quite contrasting. There were multiple whites that I used that differed in fiber and consistency.

Scrap Yarn and a breakfast sandwich @OMJ

It was also added fun that I got to revisit old projects I worked on in the past and reminisce. Remembering why I made it, the skill level I was at and even where I was is a bit unreal. It’s like having my muscle memory and my cognitive sense come together to form a nostalgic souvenir.

In Summary

Didn’t like throwing away yarn
Tile bedroom = cold floor
I always wanted a rug
Something for me to remember everything I’ve made
An achievement that I can look at all the time
A new challenge
Just learned to crochet
Been wanting to tried the Log cabin pattern
Keep adding to as the years go by
Just a fun thing to do

Tips: To keep this pattern, work 7 rows per block and increase 12 stitches every 90 degree rotation.
Keep your leftover yarn in a glass jar, I got this glass vase from the dollar store.