Turn Simple Scraps into Handmade Holiday Decor!
There is something special about opening that box of holiday decor and finding those handmade treasures waiting inside. You see them only once a year. They warm your heart the moment you spot them. Maybe you made some with a special yarn. Maybe you worked on it while surrounded by loved ones. Perhaps it was a handmade gift. Each piece brings you back to a moment in time. They are often sentimental and carry the magic of the season.
Many of these little treasures use only the smallest amount of yarn. In fact, most can be made entirely from scraps, leftovers that might otherwise sit untouched. And making holiday decor during the holidays keeps the festive feel flowing! And how lovely to end the year by using up little bits of yarn, allowing you to start the year feeling a bit less burdened by unused materials and feeling fresh!
With that in mind, we gathered a few favourite projects from the SweetGeorgia team. Whether you keep these items for your own home or share them as last-minute gifts, we hope you enjoy the process and fill each piece with memories that will last for years to come.
Scrap-Busting Projects
Corkscrew Crochet Cuteness
Anita has done it again. She has a way of finding the sweetest and cutest projects. We are always asking, “How did you find this pattern?” Well, she often searches Advent patterns on Ravelry, which is where many of her tiniest-scrap-busting projects come from. Not to mention, after years of making these, she has developed a knack for creating her own handmade patterns. If you want to see more of her projects, take a look at our Small Scraps, Big Ideas: Scrap-Busting Inspiration post. We feature many of her scrap-busting projects, many used as holiday decor.
Most of these use yarns that were naturally dyed by Anita. She followed the Natural Dyeing Basics course at the School of SweetGeorgia. Each 10 g mini-skein is enough for 6-7 corks, and each cork takes about 15 mins from cast-on to ‘dressing’ the cork. If you enjoy sampling with new dyeing or spinning techniques, you may also have small samples that you are unsure how to use. These tiny projects are a lovely way to make use of them.
Pom Pom Perfection
We do not need to explain how to make a pom pom. There are plenty of tutorials online, including ways to add tiny shapes (like hearts or trees) inside them. Instead, we want to share a charming way to gift them, because sometimes it is the presentation that makes the moment.
Vikki’s sister made sixteen gold pom poms, using two shades of gold yarn, and strung them, turning the pom poms into a garland. She tucked the garland into an empty chocolate box, which was not only a great way to gift the garland, but a great way to store it. Chocolates come, they are eaten, and then, they are gone. But a pom pom garland is forever!
Pom poms can be any colour you like, which makes them easy to match your own traditions or decor. They offer a simple and delightful way to use up small bits of yarn.
Sensational Seasonal Snowflakes
Charlotte inspires us every day. She always has a project on the go and often more than one. These snowflake ornaments are her current work in progress. Crocheting through the holidays brings a beautiful sense of being present in the season.
Each motif can become an ornament or a garland, or even seasonal-inspired coasters! They look lovely hanging in a window. Imagine making snowflakes with hand-dyed yarn held with something sparkly. It creates a bright and joyful holiday scrap buster.
Fantastic Felted Friends
Someone on our team has discovered the joys of needle felting, and watching him create is a joy! Hoi has been creating everything from anime and video game characters to the sweetest animals. He has even been turning them into earrings and ornaments. His work is full of detail and incredibly cute. We invite you to visit his Instagram and YouTube channels to see what he has been making.
Needle felting is not only fun to do, but a great way to use up leftover fibre. Maybe you broke up a braid, removing one colour, or maybe you have random bits of fibre you have leftover from a blending project. Gather up all those loose fibres and get felting!
Places to Find Hoi:
- HoiArts Etsy, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and Deviant Art.
Oh-mazing Ornaments
We also have an entire course at the School of SweetGeorgia dedicated to Needle Felting Ornaments! Charlotte Lee demonstrates how easily it is to customize your ornaments with colour, lace, and even beads. Once you get going, it will be hard to stop!
Simple Scrappy Snowman
This little snowman is made entirely from scraps, and can be finished in an afternoon.
Take a handful of leftover yarn and wrap white yarn around it to form a ball. Tuck the tail inside. Make a second slightly smaller ball. Sew the two together using thread. Or use a glue gun, which makes stacking them easier.
To make the hat and scarf, follow your instincts. It really comes down to the size of your snowman. This one is too big for an ornament but still small enough for a shelf. If the hat or scarf seems too big or small, you can easily rip it out and start again.
For this snowman’s scarf, cast on four or five stitches in worsted-weight yarn, and knit garter stitch to your desired length. For the hat, cast on sixteen to twenty stitches in a 2×2 rib for four or five rows. Switch to stockinette for about ten rows, add a couple of decreases when it looks right to you, and cinch the top. Use buttons for the eyes. Roll a tiny piece of jute into a cone for the nose. Attach the pieces by sewing or gluing.
Holiday Hang-ables
There are so many small stash-friendly projects to make. Here are a few more of our favourites.
This string of holiday lights made by Vikki’s mom is a perfect scrap project. It uses very little yarn, and you can choose any colours you like. The original pattern did not include faces, but a bit of embroidery thread adds an adorable finishing touch.
Many of us work with more than just yarn. Fabric and ribbon scraps tend to gather in our spaces as well. With a few folds and a gentle press, you can turn ribbon into festive stars, ready to hang or top gifts. They offer a simple and satisfying way to use up leftover ribbon.
If you weave, you may have small scraps of handwoven fabric tucked away. Tiny one-inch embroidery frames give them a beautiful new purpose. Pop the fabric inside, and you have an ornament or a special decorative piece.
There are countless ornament patterns available, especially on Etsy and Ravelry. The Brooklyn Tweed mitten ornament remains a favourite for good reason. A miniature version of a full-sized project always feels charming. With a quick Ravelry search, you can also find patterns for tiny sweaters, socks, and hats.
Final Thoughts
These are only a few ideas from our team. We hope they spark inspiration and encourage you to use a ball or two of leftover yarn or scraps to create something that brings warmth to your holiday season. Please share your favourite holiday projects in our SweetGeorgia Community or on social media with the hashtags #sweetgeorgia.
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- At the School of SweetGeorgia, we’ve built a vibrant and welcoming community of fibre-loving makers, passionate instructors, and dedicated staff. Whether you’re looking for guidance on a new technique or just need a little creative encouragement, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
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The post Turn Simple Scraps into Handmade Holiday Decor! appeared first on SweetGeorgia Yarns.
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