Behold! The Scrap Yarn Bags!
First step, find scrap yarn. You don't want a large ball, but you want more than a yard of it.
Next, figure out what needle size is recommended for the yarn. If you can't find this information, don't sweat it, just grab a size US6.
Next, cast on.
You can cast on as few stitches as you want.
On average, I am not casting on more than 20 stitches for a dk weight yarn and no more than 15 stitches for worsted weight.
Knit 1 row.
-Now, if you want to do a drawstring closure, a bit of math is needed. You are going
-to want 4 holes. So divide your number of stitches by four. If you end up with a
-left over stitch, save it for the end of the row. If you have two left over
-stitches, add a "k1" to the beginning of the row. Your final number, minus 1 stitch -becomes X.
*kX, k2tog, yo*; Repeat four times and knit any remaining stitches.
-For example, on my 15 stitch bags the yarn over row was: *k1, k2tog, yo; repeated 4
-times, knit last 3 stitches.
From here on we will stockinette until we are nearly out of yarn!
-If you would like, you can change between two different yarns every two rows.
-So you will knit two rows of yarn A, then switch to yarn B and knit two rows, then repeat.
Once you are nearing the end, you will repeat the yarn over row.
Knit one more row.
Now cast off!
The easy part is complete and you should have a rectangle.
Fold the rectangle in half so the yarn overs meet up and the purl side is facing out.
Now you have a choice, you can whip out a needle and thread and sew up the sides, or practice some crochet and seam the sides with a chain using any remaining yarn you have or maybe even some other yarn of a complimentary color.
The last part is finding a ribbon or taking other scrap yarn to make an i-cord for the drawstring.
These can be whipped up very quickly and make great use of left over yarn. Each one will make a different size. Sometimes you will think the bag is at risk of getting too big, so you just move to the last steps, cut off the remainder and save it for another bag. (Note that I made three in the picture and they are all the same yarn, but different sizes.)
What do you do with the finished bags? Why make gifts of them!
* Put gift cards in them and hand them out.
* Put some change or small amount of money and give them away.
* Fill them with potpourri or some cotton balls that have been dipped in scent or sprayed with perfume, then stick them in a personals drawer, or in the boxes in storage or give them to friends who need to freshen up closets, drawers or storage.
* Write wishes or dreams or what-have-you on to some paper, put the paper in the bag and set it free.
There are lots of things little bags can be used for, but remember these are little HAND MADE bags, so are great for gift ideas.
Enjoy!
