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One skein crochet projects are perfect when you’ve just got that one ball of yarn to work with.
After you see this list, you’ll see that there is never a reason to throw away leftover yarn!
Use it for a simple and fun crochet project that only requires a single skein of yarn.
What are one skein-crochet projects?
The idea behind one-skein crochet projects is really just using one skein to create something. Here is one important thing to remember: one skein of yarn is not always “one size fits all”. There’s a big difference between a 50 g size 1 lace yarn, and a 200 g size 6 super bulky yarn. Both are technically one single skein of yarn, but the result you’ll have is completely different. That’s where yarn weight comes into play! Make sure you check the yarn weight before beginning a new project.
What can you make out of one skein of yarn?
You may be surprised to learn that there are all kinds of crochet projects that you can complete with just a single skein of yarn. There are garments like crochet hats, scarves, and shawls as well as accessories like bags and even home decor projects like crochet pillows.
Find more inspiration for future crochet projects by checking out these articles:
If you’re not sure why you should bother making a one-skein crochet project, you’ll soon realize that there are many great reasons to make them. Even though it’s all about that one single skein, there are many benefits:
You have a change to use your leftover yarn and make room for new yarn
It’ll save you money since you’re using what random skeins you already have at home
It’s an opportunity to make some handmade gifts for your loved ones, and these can be a last minute crochet gift too since it doesn’t take much time to make put these projects together!
Materials for One-Skein Crochet Projects
To help you through the thought process, I’ve made a list of what you’ll need to make a crochet project with one skein.
If you’re looking for some of the cutest crochet ideas, explore this list below! All you need is the perfect project, a ball of yarn, and a crochet hook to get started.
You’re going to love these crochet coasters, because they’re so beautiful and quick to make at the same time. When creating this pattern I wanted to create a quick crochet pattern for my ever-growing yarn stash! These are going to be used over and over, but also save my furniture from those coffee spills.
Crochet potholders can be made using just one skein of yarn. For this you can grab some scrap yarn to make the edging or opt for a solid colored finish!
Crochet appliques like the crochet star pattern is great when you just have one skein of yarn. This less one skein crochet pattern can be made in just minutes!
Having a quick classic ear warmer pattern is great. It's even better to have a one skein crochet headband pattern, because then you can make more & spend less!
This idea is really great if you’re having a DSLR camera and love to take it on the go. This is a quick crochet project that you can try to practice your skills. You can incorporate different colors if you want as well, or make it using just one skein of yarn.
Potholders are an essential item to have in your kitchen, especially if you do a lot of cooking and baking. This pattern shows off a beautiful texture with simple stitches and repeat rows. Pick your favorite yarn color and get started!
Here is a practical crochet gift for the college student in your life (or anyone who uses a laptop frequently and while they’re on the go). This laptop case is simple so pick out a yarn that’s soft and durable. Such a great idea!
Dishcloths are a great one-skein crochet idea. It’s important that your single skein is somewhat both durable and soft at the same time. There are lots of crochet stitches you can use to make dishcloths but a few designs that stand out are this moss stitch dishcloth or this primrose stitch dishcloth. The dishcloth pictured below uses single and double crochet stitches.
Crochet keychains are all the rage these days because they’re quick and simple crochet projects. You can easily use leftover yarn to make all kinds of animals, fruits, vegetables, and other cute designs. We’ve listed a simple crochet keychain pattern here that uses one color and less than one skein..
Many crochet beanies require two skeins but here is a beanie pattern that only needs one. The beanie sizes for teenagers, kids, and babies are usually one skein or less.
This lovely self striping lace crochet shawl is actually made with just one skein of yarn. A great crochet pattern if you want to grab just one yarn cake when you go traveling, as it keeps you busy for quite a while.
This idea is really cool. It’s sort of like the popular coffee cozies, but it makes a lot of sense when it comes to ice cream as well. The fingers freezing when eating ice cream is really not that comfortable. Making crochet ice cream cozies is really an incentive for even more comfort eating.
This free pattern for crochet heart finger puppets is one of the great gift ideas on this list! They’re perfect to share with young children and crochet for Valentine’s Day or any time of the year.
A pincushion is really a crafty person’s best friend so it makes a great gift for yourself or a loved one. It’s the best thing to have handy when you’re finishing up any crochet project so you’ll always know where your needles are! This pincushion technically uses two types of yarn but you can easily use one skin if that’s all you have. But pin cushions can get really creative when you use a variety of colors!
Crochet Face Scrubbies is a great item to crochet for your beauty sessions. Make many using less than one skein of cotton yarn and use them over and over!
Embark on a delightful crochet journey with this easy-to-follow bandana pattern, employing the corner-to-corner technique. Tailored for summertime, it's a versatile addition to your wardrobe, offering both flair and functionality. Select your preferred yarn colors to personalize it and ensure a comfortable fit that lasts all day.
Founder, Crochet Pattern Designer & Owner of Joy of Motion Crochet.
Janne has helped millions of crocheters find their next crochet project with more than 250 free crochet patterns and 110 crochet tutorials on her blog.
With more than two decades of crochet experience, and crochet designing since 2011, she's been featured on multiple prominent sites such as Lion Brand Yarn, in crochet magazines and the OML "Make" book.