By Melissa Mall

Photos: Melissa Mall

Even the tiniest scraps of leftover yarn can be given new life as part of this miniature yarn basket ornament! It could be used as a way to display scraps from favorite or special projects from the past, or just as a great way to acknowledge your love of yarn on the tree, although it’s so quick and simple that it’s a great last-minute gift or decoration.

Difficulty: Easy

Finished Size: Approx. 2″ high x 2″ wide

Materials:

• Red Heart Super Saver [100% Acrylic; 364yd/333m per 7oz/198g skein]; 10 yds Brown, 1-2 yds each of three colors for yarn balls
• H/8 (5.00mm) hook
• Yarn Needle

Gauge: Gauge is not significant in this design.

Directions:

Rnd 1: With Brown, ch 2. In second ch from hook, make 6 sc. Join rnd.

Rnd 2: Ch 1; [sc inc] around. (12 sc) Join rnd.

Rnd 3: Ch 1; [sc in next st, sc inc in next st] around. (18 sc) Join rnd.

Rnd 4: Ch 1; working in BLO, sc in each st around. (18) Join rnd.

Rnd 5-6: Ch 1; working now through both loops, sc in each st around. Join rnd.

Handle

Ch 10. Sl st into edge directly across from starting of ch to join. Sl st in next st of basket edge, turn, sc in each ch of ch-10, sl st to basket edge to secure. Finish off.

Yarn Balls

Wind approx. 1 yd of each scrap color into a ball, leaving the last 6 inches free. Thread onto a needle, sew around the ball to hold in in shape.

Finishing: Using brown, sew balls into basket. Weave in ends.

About the Designer

Melissa Mall is an at-home mom with four sons, and a girl on the way! They have settled in to a quiet (or “quiet,” if you like) rural life in Missouri and are enjoying doing things like gardening and keeping chickens in the backyard. You can keep up with their ordinary adventures over at her blog, or take a peek at her crochet patterns and tutorials at Inner Child Crochet.

Pattern & images © Melissa Mall. All rights reserved.