Stash Buster Magic: Using Leftover Yarn in the Cushlet Pin & Needle Cushion Set

Stash Buster Magic: Using Leftover Yarn in the Cushlet Pin & Needle Cushion Set

I don’t know about you, but I always seem to have a little - or not so little - pile of yarn leftovers lurking in my CurioCraftsRoom corner. I just can't throw away those tiny balls, thinking they may come in handy sometime. But unless I set the intention that I want to make something with them, they'll just stay there. 

That’s where the Cushlet Pin & Needle Cushion Set comes in perfectly. These small, cozy cushions are just the right size for using up leftover yarn, and the simple base shape makes it easy to combine different colors and textures in a way that feels intentional rather than haphazard. So I set the intention to only use leftovers. And guess what, I had enough to complete five matching sets. These cushions don't ask for a lot of yarn and I'm happy that my stash has shrunk a little. Such a shame to use new balls if you have all these odd balls lying around.

The needle cushion is so cute and small that you only need a few yards of each colour. And of course you can use as many colours as you like; you don't have to coordinate them as I did.

One of my favorite things to do is mix and match colors. You can use complementary shades for a subtle, elegant look, or contrast brights for a playful, cheerful set. I like to pick yarns that remind me of a memory — a soft pastel from a blanket, a deep teal from a previous shawl — and see how they work together. It’s like giving each cushion a little story of its own.

Textures are another fun way to play. A smooth, crisp yarn like Scheepjes Catona works beautifully for these cushions and I used it for all of them as I have lots of odd balls. But you can use any sport weight yarn you like. Or perhaps you have yarn that holds different thicknesses or is variegated. There are pleny of ways to experiment with the cushlets.

Because the Cushlet Set comes in two sizes (diameters 14cm and 11.5cm), you can experiment even more: maybe the larger pin cushion is in soft pastels, and the smaller needle cushion is a bright, bold contrast. Or try alternating textures between the two. Each set becomes unique, reflecting the yarns you already have and the personal touches you add.

I love seeing how much creativity a small project like this can spark. Using leftover yarn makes the process playful, sustainable, and rewarding — and at the end, you have a pair of cushions that are both functional and beautiful, ready to brighten up your craft space or become a heartfelt gift for a friend.

So next time you glance at your stash, pick out some leftovers and give them a purpose — the Cushlet Pin & Needle Cushion Set is the perfect little project to turn scraps into something lovely.

                                                Available on Etsy & Ravelry

Love,
Christa xx

Here's a ready-to-pin image. I'd really appreciate it if you could pin it to one of your boards if you like this design. That would help so much in promoting my work. Thank you!