🧶 What To Do With Leftover Yarn?

Make a scrap project, of course! After finishing my most recent (still unnamed) blanket, I realized I had more yarn left over than expected. Not enough for a whole new throw, but definitely too much to let it collect dust in the stash pile.

Instead of letting it haunt my yarn basket, I decided to turn those scraps into something wearable and whimsical—a **cocoon sweater** made entirely from leftovers. It’s squishy. It’s dramatic. It’s everything a yarn hug should be. And best of all? It’s stashbusting magic.

This post isn’t a full pattern, but more of a gentle how-to. Think of it as a creative roadmap for making your own version—one that reflects your scraps, your stitches, and your style.

🧥 What Is a Cocoon Sweater?

A cocoon sweater is basically a rectangle folded into a shrug-like shape that wraps around you in the coziest way possible. No sleeves to set in, no shaping headaches—just smart folding and some well-placed seams.

For my version, I’m taking inspiration from the Essentially Fall Crochet Cardigan by Taylor Lynn Crochet, but with a twist: **puff stitches** and **scrappy flair** instead of a solid square. I also love the idea of starting with a square or motif and building out with panels or borders until you get the size you want.

🧵 Choosing Your Stitches

Here’s the fun part: you can use any stitches you love. Granny squares, fisherman’s ring, mandalas, corner-to-corner, moss stitch—you name it. Your sweater, your rules.

I chose a puff/granny hybrid square to begin mine. I like the texture of the puff stitches mixed with the nostalgic ease of the granny stitch. I’ll build outward with alternating rows of solid and openwork, playing with color placement as I go.

Scrappy tip: If your scraps are all different weights, consider holding two strands of lighter yarns together to match the bulk of your heavier ones.

🪡 Shaping It Into a Sweater

Once your base panel is the size you like (think from upper thigh to upper arm), it’s time to do the magic fold. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise, then seam the short ends from the outside in—leave space in the middle for armholes.

Optional: Add ribbing around the edges with single crochet or front/back post double crochet for a more finished look. Or keep it simple and let the edges roll for a slouchy vibe.

🎨 Make It Yours

• Add a hood by building up the top back with extra rows.
• Attach buttons just for show (or actually use them!)
• Frame it with fringe, tassels, or pompoms.
• Keep going until it’s a full duster-length robe!

This is one of those joyful makes where the journey is half the fun. It’s scrappy, it’s slow, and it’s a perfect “watch a spooky movie while stitching” kind of project.

📣 Share Your Scrappy Style

Are you diving into your leftover yarn stash too? I’d love to see your cocoon sweaters, rectangles-in-progress, and colorful chaos! Tag your makes with #LaughingYarns and #ScrappyCocoonSweater so we can all ooh and ahh together. 💬

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Got leftover yarn? Turn those scraps into a cozy, colorful cocoon sweater! This stash-busting idea from Laughing Yarns is perfect for creative crochet comfort.