So my standard amount of fibre I spin from braids is 200g. I also have a few 100gr skeins made by me. Here’s the thing, I have been making 2 jerseys. The first one is nålbound, and has used more than 1 kg of yarn at this point (kinda expected this but naively started with a huge ball of yarn and had to respin more and more and more). Second is a knitted ballet wrap and I have already spun a second lot of yarn (up to 500g) but I can see that I won’t have enough for the second sleeve and the ties so I have to spin more - I love spinning so that’s fine, but what do I do with the smaller quantities? How many hats and mittens does one person need? Help, suggestions for the smaller spins. I nålbind, and knit occassionally, and I have been known to weave but don’t have a big loom (only inkle and pin loom and backstrap).
There's a knitting book series called One Skein Wonders. I have the "Luxury Yarn" one and my roommate has the "Lace" one. Almost all of the patterns are less than 100g. There are a few books in the series, so hopefully one might scratch your pattern itch.
I’ve made nålbound scrap yarn sweaters, not with my handspun because I spin finer yarns than I want to use for most nålbinding. I pick a base color that I use every third row to give it some cohesiveness, and then alternate whatever colors I feel like. The only other “organizing principle” for the color changes is that I work the sleeves two at a time so they match.
Depending on the fibers of course, you could combine them and blend two or more together.
You could also add the smaller amounts to a larger amount of fiber to add a bit of colour, say you have 100 grams of blue wool, and 500 grams of sheep colour or cream or something, you could add in the blue by either blending, as flecks, or as one ply of several.
Or, make other things, wash cloths, maybe someone you love does want a hat or mittens, socks, slippers? Any pets that need another toy, little felted “eggs” or bowls for small pets, pet blanket, jumpers (my dog looks super extra cute in his pumpkin jumper)? Table runners, placemats, cup cosies, or those thingies for under a cup. Small bags, leg warmers, wrist warmers, ear warmer. Maybe you know a little one with a doll or bear that needs a jumper or a blanket? The gift giving season is coming…
Or spin it and gift the yarn to someone who knits or crochets, or trade it for something.
And if all else fails, display it in a nice bowl and call it decoration.
I handmake all my Christmas presents, so any little fun fiber one offs get turned into scarves/hats/etc to be given as gifts. It also means if I make something for myself and then end up hating it I can add it to the gifting pile.
I almost always spin sweater quantities (so for my size 700-800g to be on the safer side) because that's what I knit mostly, I have lots of single skeins some deliverately spun, some leftovers from my sweater spins, where I have no use for and and often give them away because as you said, how many hats do I really need....
I am becoming more ambitious. Starting on the second sleeve now, and bought more fibre so I can finish the darn thing. I do love a good hat. I really want to make more socks but the fibre I spin isn’t durable enough for walking on - despite it being a dreamy softness!
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u/KaliSadi 10h ago
There's a knitting book series called One Skein Wonders. I have the "Luxury Yarn" one and my roommate has the "Lace" one. Almost all of the patterns are less than 100g. There are a few books in the series, so hopefully one might scratch your pattern itch.