One skein wonders
Do you also have this one special skein that you picked up on holiday at a local yarn store? Or that full hand dyed skein leftover from a kit you bought? How about a gorgeous skein you scored at a yarn swap? You want to treasure them and not use it for just any pattern but at the same time one skein is usually not enough for a bigger project.
For this reason, I wanted to come up with a round-up of patterns that require only one skein or less. I am mostly looking at skeins as compared to the smaller balls of yarn here just because they do have more meterage (around 400m/437yd for fingering weight, for example). However, there are two patterns that can be done with a 50gr ball (around 175m/191yd for fingering weight).
For four additional patterns, which don’t use a lot of yarn, click below and check out my previous post: Crafts of a breakup.
For the type of patterns to include, I wanted to
Go beyond your go-to socks and hat patterns
Exclude dish clothes or any other cleaning items (because let’s be honest… do we really want to use that special skein for washing up?)
Be as inclusive as possible. While smaller bodies might be able to squeeze a top from one skein, this is not available to everybody. For this reason, I decided to not include any full tops. However, two alternatives - a bralette and harness - are included.
Copyright: Céline Feyten
Nurture bralette by Céline Feyten
I am so taken by the idea of knitting my own bra(lette) lately, and I love the delicate details on the bottom band of Céline Feyten’s design a lot. It reminds me of the type of lacy bras I wear from the shops or sew for myself.
The pattern comes in nine finished bust sizes and includes personalized bust shaping. Knitted with fingering weight yarn on 3mm (US 2½) needles, it calls for 146-457m (160-500yds). Céline offers 20% to knitters, who are often excluded from pattern sizing, to combat the additional costs fat knitters face.
Dumpling bag by Purl Soho
Described as a bite-size knit that’s an elegant twist on the simple knot bag, Purl Soho’s Dumpling bag sure looks like a fun project to make and use. The free pattern is written for DK or light worsted weight yarns and something with a bit of sturdiness, like linen, is advised. Use a 3,75mm (US 5) needle and you’ll only need about 151m (165yds).
Copyright: Purl Soho
Copyright: Pure Stitches
Bearly bonnet by Pure Stitches
Do you think of children’s garments when you think of limited yarn quantities? Honestly, I don’t (yet), but the Bearly Bonnet caught my eye. Louise of Pure Stitches has designed this super cute hat for all the babies in your life. The free pattern comes in four sizes and is written for fingering weight yarns. It requires only 100-160m (109-175 yards) on 3mm (US 2½) needles.
Hardly harness by What Lydia Made
Knitting allows us to express ourselves in ways I never thought possible. So why not make Lydia’s Hardly Harness, which is inspired by traditional leather harnesses but a lot more comfortable to wear? And if you would like to practice your embroidery, the pattern even comes with a free download of the Lydia’s Duplicate Stitch Embroidery Workbook.
The Hardly Harness is knit with DK weight yarns on US 4 - 3.5 mm and US 6 - 4.0 mm needles, requiring between 120-300m (131 - 328 yards) for the ten different sizes.
Copyright: What Lydia Makes
Copyright: My Knitted Closet
Dahlia hair tie bow by My Knitted Closet
The Dahlia hair tie bow is perfect for mohair stash busting. And with Emma’s Knits’ magical technique for pulling multiple strands, you won’t need more than one ball either!
The pattern comes in English and Spanish, features two sizes and requires 44-101m (48-110 yards) of mohair, which is held double.
Hot water bottle cover by Emily Bolduan of Maker Maker
Whether I have cramps or am feeling cold, a hot water bottle is something I use year-round. So, knitting a pretty cover for it, would make this everyday item all the more special.
Emily Bolduan’s pattern recommends DK weight on 4mm (US 6) needles. It requires 170-200m (186-219 yards) and you can choose between knitting flat or in the round.
Copyright: Maker Maker