15+ Yarn Crafts for I Love Yarn Day

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I love yarn crafts and they are on my mind today more than most days. It’s I Love Yarn Day and I have a song stuck in my head. Sing along with me: look up the song “We Love You Conrad” from the musical Bye Bye Birdie –

We love yarn day, Oh, yes we do. We love yarn day, And we’ll be true. When you’re not near us, We’re blue. Oh, yarn day, we love you!

Now that this soundtrack replays over and over (and over) in my head, my mind is swimming with all sorts of yarn crafts to make. I’ve played with nearly all of these ideas. Which ones have you tried?

1. Crochet

Crochet is my first love, so it always tops my list for things to make with yarn. One of my all-time favorite designs (and yours too, according to Ravelry, is the lovely Alpine Frost Scarf. I made mine in sapphire blue.

2. Knitting

As the weather cools down, hats are fun and practical items to stitch. Jared Flood’s Koolhaas Hat is a big hit on Ravelry, and I can see why—it’s great for guys and gals.

3. Knooking

Crocheters who want to learn knitting often take their first steps with a knook project. If you’re game, start small with the Fall Swatch-cloth from Love of Crochet Fall 2015.

4. Pin-Loom Weaving

Of all the crafts I’ve tried, pin-loom weaving is the most relaxing: weave little squares and then seam them together for meditative fun. Let my “10 Reasons Crocheters Love Pin Loom Weaving” post convince you, then find exciting patterns in Easy Weaving with Little Looms.

5. Macramé

Every child of the 70s learned to love macramé (don’t judge). I blogged about my dad’s macramé last Father’s Day because he’s a great inspiration to me. If you haven’t tried it or it’s been a few (ahem) decades, pick up Macramé for Beginners and Beyond for a new take on this old craft.

6. Finger Crochet

Ditch the crochet hook and crochet with your fingers! We did just that in the pattern for the Lofty Pouf. Jumbo yarn works great for this technique.

7. Arm Knitting

Kids love arm knitting. I know this because the kids in my life have asked for lessons a time or two. But it’s not just a kid thing: former Interweave Knits editor Lisa Shroyer revealed 10 reasons to love this giant yarncraft (and provided a how-to video) that will get you hooked. Er, unhooked. Or unneedled.

Win some yarn for I Love Yarn Day!

You can enter to win until October 20th, whether you knit or crochet – or just LOVE YARN!

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8. Finger Knitting

Kids love finger knitting even more than arm knitting. Adults find it much easier to teach and less entangling. Let Mary Beth Temple guide you into this craft with her video Fun with Finger Knitting.

9. Weaving with Sticks

Looking for another easy way to relax with yarn? Try the super-low-tech method of weaving yarn around sticks. Lily Chin made an awesome Weaving Stick Bag using 6 bands made on weaving sticks. You’ve got to try this.

10. Tatting

Create delicate knotted motifs with tatting, a lacemaking technique that uses minimal supplies—you only need thread, scissors and a shuttle. The step-by-step instructions and beautiful projects in New Tatting by Tomoko Morimoto will have you making lovely lace in no time. This is on my to-do list so I can make a super-adorable keychain.

Tatting can also be made with needle and thread. Check out Georgia Seitz’s video Needle Tatting: The Basics and More to learn this style of tatting.

11. Pom-Pom Making

Did you spend hours in your childhood making little pom-pom creatures with googly eyes and fuzzy stick antenna? I sure did! Nowadays, pom-poms top knit and crochet hats like the Team Colors Hat and so much more. Check out pom-poms in the Yarn Hack videos on Interweave’s YouTube channel.

12. Tassel Making

Tassels are super fun to make and use. They are especially beautiful on corners of shawls like the Sandy Shores Shawl. Here’s a fun tutorial on how to make tassels with embroidery thread and wire.

13. Fauxchét

Fauxchét uses an unusual Easyloop tool to create a fabric that looks similar to crochet (thus the name Fauxchét). I’ve created dishcloths and scarves this way—it’s very intriguing.

14. Loom Knitting

Many small looms work great with yarn. There’s the potholder loom, flower loom, knitting loom, and more. Take a walk down the yarn aisle at your local craft store to find fun looms.

15. Yarn Bombing

Think of yarn bombing as graffiti with yarn. I like to attach bits of crochet on my friends’ cars as a happy surprise. Check out this “Epic Yarn Bomb” in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that took yarn bombing to a whole other level.

16. Playing with Kittens

Ok, this isn’t a craft, but I couldn’t resist sharing a picture of my kitten playing with yarn. Do be careful, though. My friends tell me that yarn is not good for cats. If they eat it, the yarn can cause stomach issues that could necessitate surgery.

More Yarn Crafts

If you’re a thrifty sort who likes to use up all your scraps, check out the Yarn Leftovers posts on our site. We share lots of fun ideas for crafting with yarn.

Happy I Love Yarn Day. May the I Love Yarn Day song carry you through the day and inspire you to be crafty. —Dana

We Love Yarn Crafts Every Day!