What Can You Knit with Just One Ball of Yarn?

When you can’t resist buying just one ball of that beautiful yarn, here are 4 ways to make it count

You’re at a yarn shop. You’re eyeing all the beautiful yarn (and trying to ignore the not-so-beautiful prices). And then… you see it.

A single ball of yarn. A single, beautiful ball of yarn. A single, beautiful ball of yarn and it’s on sale.

What do you do?

If you laugh, say “what could I do with one ball of that yarn?!”, and leave without buying anything, then move along… this isn’t the post for you. 😂

But if you say, “IT’S ON SALE!! I have to buy it! It’s a sign!”… congratulations, this post is for you!

Because then, I’ll bet you take your yarn home, flush with victory, and then sit down and slap yourself in the head because you have no clue what you’ll do with that single ball of yarn. 😒

If you’ve been there–and don’t be embarrassed, I have too!–no need to despair. Here’s a collection of fun projects you can make with any or all of that single ball of yarn you simply couldn’t resist!

1. Toys and Their Clothes

Toys are an absolute classic way to turn single balls of yarn into treasure!

You can knit stuffed animals, dolls, blocks, balls… you might be surprised at just how many sorts of toys you could knit with your one ball!

Or, you could knit clothing for toy dolls, animals, and so on! If you’re wondering where on earth you could find clothing small enough to fit toy animals or dolls… oh, my friend. You are missing out. As of this writing, a quick search on Ravelry reveals nearly 4,000 knitting patterns for doll clothes–and this includes animal clothes as well. And these are just the free ones!

Here on Knitting for Charity, I have an entire category devoted to toy knitting patterns–and that includes a post with some knitted doll clothing patterns.

Bev’s Country Cottage supplies even more doll and toy animal clothing!

2. Baby Blankets for Premature Infants

You already know that you can’t possibly knit an entire afghan from that single ball of yarn. But… you might just be able to knit a blanket for a preemie!

Just think: not only can you create something lovely with that wonderful yarn, but you could be keeping a tiny infant born a little too soon some much-needed warmth as it grows a bit more in the NICU.

Again, Bev’s Country Cottage has a magnificent collection of preemie baby blankets here.

If the single ball of yarn you have isn’t wool (wool isn’t the best choice for preemies), you could knit other types of preemie gear. In this Knitting for Charity post, you’ll find all sorts of free knitting patterns especially for preemies!

3. Little Novelties

If you just want to knit something fun and easy, why not try out a novelty item?. They’re perfect projects for discount yarn and best of all, they take almost no time to make. If you’re looking for something quick, fun, and easy, this could be the plan for you!

Here are some of the novelty item patterns you can find here at Knitting for Charity:

1. A collection of bookmarks.
2. Smiley patterns.
3. Knitted flower appliques.
4. Small oddball patterns.

4. Knitting for Pets and Other Animals

If you’re a new knitter, and you’re particularly concerned about using that beautiful yarn for something that might not turn out the way you expected… knitting for animals is the perfect solution.

Dogs in a shelter don’t care if you messed up the stitch count on their ball 4 different times. Cats awaiting their fur-ever homes don’t care if their toys are a little misshapen or if you didn’t cross the cable on their pillow quite right. And the baby possum who’s just trying to survive certainly doesn’t care if the nest you knitted is a bit lopsided.

In short, if your anxiety about your knitting skills is keeping you from using that one-ball yarn score, consider knitting for animals. Knitting for Charity has a whole bunch of posts featuring free knitting patterns for animals!

So now you have no excuse to use that fabulous single ball of yarn. So what are you waiting for? Have some fun! 🥳