47 Outstanding Yarn Craft Ideas

Loraine loves arts and crafts and used to volunteer at an elementary art class. She loves sharing fun and easy craft tutorials.

Creative Yarn Projects

When I started searching for new yarn use ideas, it looked like there weren't too many. But I did find some great projects and I thought I'd share these finds with you. I've gradually added more yarn crafts, with some of them including crochet or knitting projects. As I find new projects, I will continue to add on to this list. I've included a picture of the yarn project and the site address where you can find the directions. I've only listed craft ideas where there were directions included.

Make the super cute birds shown above by following the tutorial at the Marrietta blog.

1. Dream Catchers

This is a great craft to use in conjunction with Native American classroom lessons. The dream catcher is always a tried and true yarn craft to do with the kids. For the directions, go to Handmade by Kelly.

2. Yarn Wall Hanging

Choose your favorite yarn colors and textured yarns to make a beautiful wall hanging for your bedroom or home. So simple and yet so pretty. Go to Nostalgiecat for the instructions to make a yarn wall hanging.

3. Kid's Easy-to-Make Yarn Trees

The kids will find that it is very easy to make these Christmas trees. Find the directions at One Creative Mommy.

4. Flip Flop Re-do

You'll find that making your flip-flops very fashionable will be easy if you follow the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger. Imagine how many pairs of flip-flops you can make for all your summer outfits.

5. Yarn Wrapped Pumpkins

Decorating for the fall holidays will be so easy with the addition of these easy-to-make yarn-wrapped pumpkins. You'll find the tutorial for making these pumpkins at Shelterness.

6. Cute Hair Bows

Aren't these just the cutest little hair bows? They are easy to make by following the instructions that you'll find on the Happy Together site.

7. Duster Refill

I really love this idea. I like using the Swiffer duster, but I don't enjoy always having to buy refills. This is a great gift idea for a housewarming gift or a bridal shower. Find the tutorial for making this duster refill at Verdigris Knits.

8. Native American Maiden

This project looks a whole lot more involved than it actually is. You'll find all the information that you'll need to make this Native American maiden at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers.

9. Covered Letters

These yarn-covered letters make a very attractive mantel arrangement for the fall season.

10. Wall Weaving Art

I love the idea of making my own wall decorations and I think this project may be of interest to young girls or a mother decorating a baby's room. Choose the colors that contrast with the décor in your room, and then go to A Beautiful Mess for the tutorial for making this wall weaving art.

11. Yarn Dog

Isn't this little puppy just too cute for words? If you wish to make one of your own, go to Handmade Charlotte for the directions.

12. Yarn Ghosts

So easy to make and yet a decoration that you could be proud to display. Mr. P Blog is where you will go for the directions. Imagine making a couple of changes and having snowmen using these same basic instructions.

13. Nesting Cups

I love these little nesting cups. Choose a color that accents your décor and then make a few for yourself.

14. Yarn Owl

This yarn craft, which is inspired by the art of the Huichol indigenous people of Mexico, is simple but oh so beautiful. Go to Happy Hooligans for directions.

15. Snowflake Coasters

Your holiday table will really be set for the season with these snowflake coasters. While you are making a set for yourself, consider who on your list would appreciate a set of their own. You'll find the instructions for making these snowflake coasters on the Red Heart site.

16. Yarn Monsters

I suppose I shouldn't call monsters cute, but these yarn monsters can certainly be called cute.

17. Halloween Crafts

These nice Halloween crafts, made with yarn, are great for the kids to make. For the instructions for making these super easy Halloween crafts, go to the favecrafts site for the directions.

18. Yarn Angel

Who wouldn't love to make this beautiful yarn angel? The directions can be found at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers.

19. Gift Card Holder

Gift cards, credit cards, or ID cards will all fit into this useful and attractive holder. This would be a perfect gift to give a high school or college girl. Maybe even add a purchased or crocheted chain to hide the holder around the neck. For the directions, go to Don't Eat the Paste site.

20. Bunny Pencil Holders

Dress up your office desk with these cute little pencil holders----then make some to give as gifts. The directions can be found at Craft Passion.

21. Flowers Galore

Imagine all the places you can use flowers like these. Add a pin back and use one as a corsage or add one to a hairclip for your hair. For the directions, go to Fiber Flux.

22. Crocheted Dress Towel Topper

For the tutorial for this towel topper, go to Thrifty Fun. Some patterns just beg to be used in more ways than those stated. This looks like one of them.

23. Yarn Fonts

Form your name, your initials, or any word you want with pipe cleaners, and then cover with yarn. Simple but outstanding. Go to Bloesem Kids for the directions.

24. Japanese Temari

I had never heard of Japanese Temari before I found this craft, but I'm really impressed with the craft. I think it is terrific. If you would want to try your hand at this project, go to Suzy's Artsy-Crafty.

25. Pom Pom Piggy

A cute little pink piggy that could decorate a child's room. For the directions, go to Craftideas.

26. Yarn Spider

Here's a spider that I wouldn't mind finding in my house. As a matter of fact, I think I'll be making some like him for Halloween this year. The directions for making this yarn spider can be found at Eighteen25.

27. Pompom Maker Using a CD and Craft Sticks

28. Halloween Favor Holders

When you want to make a large number of Halloween favor holders for a Halloween party, this will be a quick and easy way to go. The directions for making these Halloween favor holders can be found at My Recycled Bags.

29. Simple Yarn Scarf

If you know how to crochet a simple single stitch, you can make this scarf. Very easy to make, but it will take a little time to make all the single stitch lengths. Go to Dollar Store Crafts for the instructions. Use different weight yarns and different-sized crochet hooks to make a beautiful scarf.

30. 13 Cute and Easy Yarn Crafts

31. Yarn Apple Favors

You'll find out how to make these cute yarn apples by going to Make and Takes for the instructions.

32. Yarn Octopus

To get the directions, go to Love to Sew Imagine all the cute pastel octopi that can be made. Or is it octopuses?

33. Yarn Carrots

These yarn carrots almost look real. For the directions for making these carrots, go to the Homework site. A bowl of these would make a very attractive decoration for the kitchen.

34. Yarn Chickens

These little yarn chickens are a lot easier to make than you might think. Make three or four and put them in a basket for a cute centerpiece.

35. Bright and Beautiful Trees

The bright and beautiful yarn colors used to make these trees really caught my eye. Find out how to make these lovelies by going to Living Locurto for the instructions.

36. Yarn Rainbow Art

So very simple to make and a great classroom or home school project. The kids will love making this yarn rainbow art. You'll find the instructions for this art at Parents.

37. Yarn Snowball Wreath

This is such an outstanding wreath and not at all difficult to make. Go to Two Junk Chix for the directions. Using these directions, but with different combinations of colored yarn, beautiful wreaths could be made for any holiday or season.

38. Wig Tutorial

I think girls of all ages would have lots of fun making these wigs. Go to Brown Paper Package for the tutorial.

39. Yarn Butterflies

Making yarn butterflies looks like a really easy project. One that even the littlest kids will be able to try their hand at.

40. Yarn Doll

This yarn doll is a really old, tried, and true craft. To see how to make old-fashioned yarn dolls, go to the Little House Living site.

41. Yarn Owls

These cute little owls are made by wrapping toilet tissue tubes with yarn. This will be a nice and easy craft to make with the little kids. Go to Make and Takes to see the tutorial for making these yarn-wrapped tube owls.

42. Woodland Owl Cup Cozy

There are so many folks who love owls and everything that has to do with owls, so these folks would love to receive a gift of an owl cup cozy. The easy-to-follow directions for making this woodland owl cup cozy can be found at Red Heart.

43. Paper Clip and Yarn Bracelet

44. Monster Cupcake Picks

The kids will be so excited when you ask them to help make monster cupcake picks for a Birthday party you have planned. Go to Two Shades of Pink to see how to make these monsters and why they are so much fun.

45. Textured Yarn Balls

Now you'll know what to do with the leftover yarn bits that are too pretty to toss. There are so many beautiful colors and thicknesses of yarn that no two yarn balls need be alike. See how easy it is to make these textured yarn balls by going to Two Shades of Pink.

46. Boot Liners

Make useful boot liners so you are prepared when we have a very cold or snowy winter.

47. Yarn Pumpkin

You can now add a textured yarn pumpkin to your fall holiday centerpiece. Very attractive and easy to make.

© 2012 Loraine Brummer

Don't get tied up.. - please leave a comment

Kelly Ann Christensen from Overland Park, Johnson County, Kansas on January 26, 2020:

What cute ideas! That yarn dog may be one of the cutest things I've seen done with yarn. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

PaigSr from State of Confusion on August 16, 2013:

I will not string you along or spin a yarn to fill up space. But given the option I would go with the yarn dog.

Scraps2treasures on December 12, 2012:

Your yarn vase idea reminded me of a craft I used to do with my grandma. She would take old glass jars and cover them with yarn like that. She used them to store spare change. You have featured some wonderful ideas here!

Noelle and Dan on September 23, 2012:

Charming craft ideas to use up the yarn stash!

moonlitta on February 12, 2012:

Just wondering when I can try all of these?!!

miaponzo on February 10, 2012:

Very cute yarn crafts! Nice to meet you! Blessed!