If you love your crochet, chances are that you have a huge stash of yarn. But what if you want to use up some of your leftovers? What crochet stitch uses the least yarn? Typically, a single crochet uses the least amount of yarn for longer rows.
If you want to create height in your crochet project, then you can use a treble crochet stitch or Solomon’s knot stitch. In this practical guide, we find out what basic and more complex crochet stitches use the least amount of yarn and why it can be a great idea to use less yarn.
What Basic Crochet Stitch Uses The Least Yarn?
The basic crochet stitch that uses the least yarn is the single crochet. This short stitch is ideal for completing longer rows or rounds. While it doesn’t give you a lot of height, it is the perfect yarn-saving stitch because it isn’t as tall as a double or treble crochet.
This can be ideal for crochet projects where you regularly change color or you use different stitches. However, a single crochet can use more yarn than taller stitches, such as a treble or double crochet, when you are working on a longer project, such as a scarf or a blanket.
What Lace Crochet Stitch Uses The Least Yarn?
If you want to make a more varied crochet piece with a little bit of yarn, then there are three crochet stitches that only use a small amount of yarn:
Solomon’s knot stitch
Filet crochet stitch
Trellis stitch
With a large amount of space between the stitches, these stitches also give you a bit more height in your crochet project. For additional height, you can also use a double or treble crochet.
While you need to frequently yarn over for these stitches, they are still more economical than some other fancy lace crochet stitches.
Why Do Some Crochet Stitches Use Less Yarn Than Others?
The reason why some crochet stitches require a smaller amount of yarn than others is because of their height and complexity. A single crochet is half the size of a double crochet.
While this doesn’t mean that it uses just half the amount of yarn, single stitches are much shorter which means they use less yarn. On the other hand, basic stitches also use a lot less yarn than more complex stitches.
If you compare a double crochet stitch with a star stitch, then the star stitch needs a lot more yarn than the double. Another factor that influences how much yarn a crochet stitch uses is the space between the stitches.
If you have a stitch that has plenty of space around each stitch (for example, the Solomon’s knot stitch), then this stitch uses a smaller amount of yarn than tight stitches. These “airy” stitches are often used in lighter crochet pieces, such as a scarf, because they have a lacy feel to them.
Why Use A Small Amount Of Yarn?
Crochet can be an expensive hobby, so it is a good idea to make use of any yarn scrap you have left over, especially if you work on large projects. Here are the main reasons why we recommend using yarn-saving crochet stitches for your crochet pieces.
Use Up Leftover Yarn
If you only have a small amount of yarn available for a new project, then you want to make every inch count. With yarn-conserving stitches, you can make your yarn last longer.
Plus, it is also incredibly economical and sustainable because you don’t waste any of your valuable yarn.
Create Space For New Yarn
It’s tempting to buy new yarn whenever you see it but at some point, you will run out of space. If you keep all your yarn leftovers, then you need a way to clear your stash. Making use of leftover yarn scraps is a great way to make room for new yarn and future projects.
Save Money
But it can also pay off to use yarn-saving stitches with a brand-new yarn ball. Some stitches can save you up to 60% of yarn. Unless you are using acrylic yarn, this can be an incredible saving if you work with more expensive yarn.
What To Consider When Using Less Yarn For Your Crochet Project?
While using up your yarn scraps is a fantastic way to clear out your old stash and make room for something new, there are a few things to keep in mind with a small amount of yarn.
Make Sure You Have Enough Yarn
Whenever you start a crochet project, you need to be sure that you have enough yarn to complete the piece. Whether you are using yarn scraps or a new ball of yarn, make sure that you always allow a little leftover at the end.
Watch The Yarn Weight
When you use yarn-saving crochet stitches, then you need to keep the weight of the yarn in mind. As a rule of thumb, you won’t save as much on a bulky yarn as you would with a lightweight yarn.
If you want to save yarn, then you could move from a recommended heavy-weight yarn to a lighter yarn.
Choose The Right Project
How well you can integrate yarn-conserving stitches depends very much on your chosen crochet project. The majority of pieces use basic crochet stitches, such as singles, doubles or trebles.
However, if you have a heavy crochet piece that is worked with a lot of basic stitches, then you will be using more yarn than with a lighter crochet piece that works with tall or more complex stitches.
Work With The Right Stitch
You can easily save a significant amount of yarn by choosing the right crochet stitch for your project, such as a basic single crochet or a more complex Solomon’s knot stitch.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a crochet beginner or an experienced crafter, you can use less yarn by simply working with the right type of stitches and a lighter yarn weight.
