As summer deepens, crochet is also entering a transitional season.
Soon, thoughts of knitting for the autumn and winter seasons may begin to cross your mind.
Now, just before the season ends, is a great time to organize your yarn stash and try knitting a project using any leftover summer yarn you have on hand.
September also brings the long Silver Week holiday period.
Many people are probably planning their trips for early autumn to avoid the peak season.
So this time, we've picked out some "travel accessories" patterns that you'll want to take with you on your trip, ranging from projects that can be knitted in a few hours with just one ball of yarn to more advanced projects that can be completed in a day or two over the weekend.
And this time, we're releasing three new free knitting patterns that can be made using basic techniques!
These items are perfect for travel, but there are also some that you can use every day, so please enjoy preparing for the new season while making use of the summer yarns you have on hand!
Index
A perspective for enjoying different types of leftover yarn.
It's rare to find the perfect yarn on hand when you've found a project you want to knit, isn't it?
If the material is suitable, there isn't enough, and if there's a lot of yarn, the thickness doesn't match... This cycle repeats, and "leftover yarn" accumulates.
So this time, we explored ways to enjoy leftover yarn—which comes in small quantities and varies in thickness and material—by viewing it as a "highly varied material."
Perspective 1: Not only can you knit with one strand of yarn, but you can also use two strands.
Those who are familiar with knitting may have an unspoken routine, such as "use fingering weight yarn for knitting a shawl" or "use worsted weight yarn for knitting a bag."
Even I, when I see medium-weight yarn, immediately think, "Maybe this could be used for a shawl."
However, looking at it from a different perspective, if you use two strands of medium-weight yarn together, it becomes about the same thickness as medium-weight yarn.
This way, the yarn, which was intended for a shawl, becomes thick enough to be used for a bag as well.
By adopting the perspective of using two strands of yarn, the ways in which you can use the yarn expand considerably.
Perspective 2: Combine different types of yarn to create the desired thickness.
Earlier, I used a medium-weight thread as an example, but by developing ways to combine threads, even more variations become possible.
By combining threads of different thicknesses, you can create new threads of the desired thickness.
For example, even very fine yarns, which are rarely used on their own, can be combined with medium-weight or worsted-weight yarns to broaden the range of projects you can knit.
How about reconsidering some leftover yarns from the perspective of "blending them to your preferred thickness"?
Perspective ③: Enjoy the unique texture of plied yarns by combining different materials.
Using plied yarns offers the enjoyment of combining yarns of different materials.
It would be interesting to try a combination of thin linen yarn and thick jute to create a hemp twine, or to explore new possibilities by using raffia-like yarn and cotton yarn.
The white and red button tray shown in the photo above was knitted using a combination of medium-weight cotton yarn and fine-weight linen yarn held together.
Using plied yarns is exciting because you can't fully imagine what kind of fabric will result.
With a wide variety of materials available, "leftover yarn," it's finally time to start knitting!
I hope the points I've discussed here will be helpful when you're taking inventory of your leftover yarn.
I hope you'll find uses for it that you hadn't thought of before.
Next, I'll introduce some recipes that focus on making use of leftover yarn.
If you find a work that interests you, please give it a try!
Turn leftover yarn into "travel gear": 5 crochet accessories to enjoy at the end of summer.
[Free Knitting Pattern] Foldable Button Tray that can be flattened for easy carrying
A snap tray, commonly seen in leather goods, is assembled by fastening the snaps at the four corners.
This crocheted button tray was created with that kind of atmosphere in mind.
This project can be completed entirely by knitting with yarn, without using any metal fittings or special parts.
I want a slightly firmer finish, so summer yarn is perfect.
This project is also fun to knit with two strands of yarn or with combined yarns, so try using up any leftover yarn.
[Free Knitting Pattern] Double-layered knitted pouch to protect your gadgets
A flat pouch made using double crochet and filet crochet, requiring no zipper.
This project can be completed using only basic crochet techniques, without requiring any difficult methods.
Using thicker yarn will give the fabric more thickness, resulting in an even more reliable cushion.
It would be cute to find some leftover yarn from summer and knit with two strands or two strands held together.
[Paid option] Sleep mask (eye mask) to make your flight and hotel stay more comfortable.
This crocheted eye mask can be completed quickly using thick yarn.
You can adjust the loops to your size for a comfortable fit.
Adding just one small item you don't normally use can significantly enhance the special feeling of your trip.
Whether on the plane or at your hotel, a good night's sleep will surely make you feel more energetic the next day.
[Paid option] A "neck pillow" with a soft cushion that conforms to the neck and supports the head.
A plump, three-dimensional crocheted neck pillow.
It's large enough to comfortably rest your head on.
This project is easy to try because it can be made using basic crochet techniques.
If you're traveling by car, just pop one in the back seat.
When you start to doze off while being gently rocked, your neck is gently supported, allowing you to fall into a comfortable sleep.
[Free Knitting Pattern] Lightweight "Mobile Slippers" that fold up compactly
One of the final items you'll want to add to your travel packing is a pair of slippers that can be folded and carried compactly.
The small size weighs only 60g.
We'll be knitting using a double crochet base, making quick and easy progress.
Try it on along the way and adjust it to your size.
Put it in a drawstring bag and place it in the corner of your suitcase.
Imagine the small joy of having your own knitted slippers at your feet in your hotel room while traveling. That's one of the unique pleasures of hand-knitting.
Five recommended crochet patterns to add color to your travels.
A fluffy drawstring bag perfect for knitting on the go.
Crochet "Puff Project Bag" pattern (PDF)
A fluffy drawstring bag featuring diagonally arranged loops.
It can be used not only as a project bag to hold knitting projects and yarn, but also as a travel bag for packing clothes.
• Compact socks that can be carried around as slippers.
Crochet "Snicker Socks" Pattern (PDF)
These sneaker socks, made with cool mesh and cotton, feel comfortable on your feet. They're even more comfortable when knitted to your exact size.
Carrying these with you when going out barefoot could be useful for quickly dealing with air conditioning.
・Knit a small one using quick-drying yarn to make a travel body towel.
Free Crochet Pattern: Crochet Body Scrubber
This body towel is made by knitting a patterned stitch in a straight line. If you knit it with linen yarn, which is water-resistant and dries quickly, it might dry crisp in dry hotel rooms. Being able to knit it to your preferred size is one of the advantages of hand-knitting.
・Even in a pinch, you can tie your hair up with a decorative scrunchie.
Free Crochet Pattern: Bias-Frill Scrunchie
For those times when you want to quickly tie up your hair, such as during meals while traveling or while relaxing in your room, how about using a scrunchie like this?
It seems like it would be fun to use, like carrying around your favorite yarn.
- A compact, flat bag for when you have extra luggage.
Free Crochet Pattern: Tassel Camisole-Style Tote
A thin, lightly knitted bag made with fine yarn would be easy to carry and perfect for travel. A bag with your own personal touches might even serve as a distinctive landmark in a crowd.
Make the most of your summer yarns and prepare for the new season.
What did you think?
Even "just one ball of yarn" or "a little bit of leftover yarn" can be transformed into cherished tools that make travel and everyday life a little more convenient, thanks to the ideas we've shared here.
Now, before the full-fledged autumn and winter knitting season begins, is the perfect time to savor the light and airy feel of summer yarns while enjoying preparing for your early autumn trip.
If you can make good use of the summer yarns you have on hand, it will lighten both your mind and your storage space.
The free knitting patterns and paid patterns introduced here can be viewed on the following pages.
If you find an item that catches your eye, please try knitting it with the yarn you have on hand!
