All yarn artists have them, those small amounts left after completing a bigger project. They may be only a few ounces or grams but too much to throw out. So what does one do with them after you've accumulated several dozens of relatively short lengths of yarn?
For starters you can cut up natural fibers into shorter strips and put them out for the birds to use. Here's what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has to say about this idea:
"Birds often use man-made materials for their nests these days. Yarn pieces are OK to put out for birds to use as nesting materials. There are a few things you'll want to keep in mind though:
"Birds often use man-made materials for their nests these days. Yarn pieces are OK to put out for birds to use as nesting materials. There are a few things you'll want to keep in mind though:
- Keep strands at 4-6" so there's no danger of wildlife becoming entangled.
- Natural materials that will biodegrade over the course of time (like cotton or wool) are preferred to synthetic materials.
- Thin strips of cloth are OK; keep them about 1" wide by 6" long.
- Birds can see color, so if they use the brightly-colored yarns, they are aware of the colors they are selecting (and they do have choices out there in nature). While I have to acknowledge that when it comes to building nests, birds know what they are doing, there is logic to your friend's recommendation. Offering neutral colors and earth-tones found in nature has little foreseeable downside; however, some birds have learned to associate brightly-colored man-made materials with durability and will choose them over other available materials."
This topic is an idea with wild controversy. Many want to use up their acrylic scraps in this way and end up contributing to the environment in a very negative way because acrylic yarn will not break down like natural wool or cotton. Note even the response from the professional is quite clear about using natural and thus biodegradable yarn.
How about making a string design of your own, like a city skyline? The design below can be found at Knitty City, a LYS in New York City. If you click on the link you'll see the idea comes from their logo. I have to say it is very intriguing to me. I do have some free wall space at home that could be filled in this way. Now which skyline should I pick? Fox Lake, Madison, Moorhead, Fargo, Honolulu, Fresno, Vancouver, oh there are so many option! The Vogue Knitting LIVE conference in Seattle has asked those attending (and I will be attending) to knit something to wear with the Seattle skyline. This might be an easy solution for me if I want to wear the Seattle skyline.
One of my favorite Scandinavian knitters, Vivian Hoxbro has a complete book on using scraps of yarn called Domino Knitting. She teaches in this book how to make potholders, headbands and sweaters from small knit patches using scraps which creates beautiful items in her deft hands. Check out the link to the book to see how pretty using leftovers can be.
Or do as I do. Periodically knit something of some substance and then knit "unique items" like food, dolls or other small projects. And the great thing about using leftovers is you don't necessarily have to spend money on new yarn. It is a win-win situation.
Haven't had enough yet? Check out these 38 ideas from Melissa Conner, Editor of FaveCrafts.com She has some rather clever ideas as well. So, for all of us who are thrifty yarn artists, there are potentially hundreds of way to make use of the scraps of our making.
Or do as I do. Periodically knit something of some substance and then knit "unique items" like food, dolls or other small projects. And the great thing about using leftovers is you don't necessarily have to spend money on new yarn. It is a win-win situation.
Haven't had enough yet? Check out these 38 ideas from Melissa Conner, Editor of FaveCrafts.com She has some rather clever ideas as well. So, for all of us who are thrifty yarn artists, there are potentially hundreds of way to make use of the scraps of our making.
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