We all have those mini skeins we treasure, smaller yardage balls, and are maybe even eyeing a hand-dyed mini skein set for a daily knitting project. When I dine out, I love a nice main course, but have you ever wanted to make an entire feast of appetisers and finger food? That’s what mini skeins feel like sometimes. Each is delicious and eye-catching, but sometimes overlooked as a feast because of its size. Well, let’s at least resolve the unsung hero issues for mini skeins and scraps here.
This post is a Comprehensive List of Patterns to Use with Mini Skeins & Yarn Calendar Sets. I have a separate post which is a Useful List of Knitting Patterns I’ve Designed for Yarn Scraps and Mini Skeins, but this post is all-encompassing and thorough. While it includes a list of knitting patterns ideally suited for mini skeins, a bought countdown calendar or fade, or a collection of mini skeins you’ve collected over the years. I also have a post about how to create your own set or fade from leftover bits. These patterns work with any mini skein combination or set, from secular to Advent to Hanukkah calendar sets (like this one).
Update: All the text links are pretty much Ravelry. For my own patterns, I created graphic links below each pattern which links directly to LoveCrafts or Ravelry.
If you’re on Instagram, please join me over there for more frequent updates on my knitting, designing, baking, and life’s adventures – my Instagram account. I keep updating this post as I learn about more relevant patterns, so this is one to bookmark.
Mini Skeins Shine in These Patterns:
- Cassiopeia Mini Skein Shawl from Ultraviolet Knits by Evin Bail O’Keeffe (shown above, no garter stitch so ideal for smaller yardage mini skeins you want to spotlight)
- Anglesea Shawl from Knitting with Rainbows by Carol Feller
- Arch Lane Cowl from Knitting with Rainbows by Carol Feller
- Fenn’s Quay Cowl from Knitting with Rainbows by Carol Feller
- Forge Hill Scarf from Knitting with Rainbows by Carol Feller
- Gillabbey Socks from Knitting with Rainbows by Carol Feller
- Half Moon Street Shawl from Knitting with Rainbows by Carol Feller
- Mardyke Shawl from Knitting with Rainbows by Carol Feller
- Probys Gloves from Knitting with Rainbows by Carol Feller
- Shanakiel Shawl from Knitting with Rainbows by Carol Feller
- Stave Hat from Knitting with Rainbows by Carol Feller
- Sunday’s Well Hat from Knitting with Rainbows by Carol Feller
- Aerglo Wrap from Ultraviolet Knits by Evin Bail O’Keeffe
- Porch Light Wrap from Ultraviolet Knits by Evin Bail O’Keeffe
- Stripes of Many Colors Cowl by Heddi Craft
- Any pattern from Color Packs & Stash Scraps by Nicole Montgomery
- MegaMini Scarf by Julie-Ann Amos
- Land of Sweets by Helen Stewart (from Knitvent)
- PEEP Show by Laura Rasmussen
- The Long Skinny by Webster Street Knittery
- Mini Skein Infinity Scarf by Julieanne Cole
- Compass Arrow Shawl by Stephanie Shiman
- Wingspan by maylin Tri’Coterie Designs
- Mini Madness Shawl by Angie Kimel
- Tool Box Cowl by Adventure Du Jour Designs
- Hitchhiker by Martina Behm
- Monster Cowl by Julia Allen
- Mini Meltdown by Rachel Henry
- Free the Minis Wrap by Amy Meeks
- Reverb Shawl by Felicia Lo
- Asante by Lynn Di Cristina
- Diane by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
- Layers and Links by Nicole Montgomery
Not Designed for Minis, but Works Well:
- Betelgeuse Shawl from Ultraviolet Knits by Evin Bail O’Keeffe
- Elara Shawl from Ultraviolet Knits by Evin Bail O’Keeffe
- Citron by Hilary Smith Callis (470 yards)
- Falling Petals Lace Shawl by Evin Bail O’Keeffe (go up needle size for sock weight and make a gigantic wrap) – it’s my design
- Madeline Shawl by Kate Jackson
- Rockin’ Rows by Martina Behm
- Rings of Rings Cowl by Lisa R. Myers
Mini Skein Calendar-Focused Patterns:
- Cassiopeia Mini Skein Shawl from Ultraviolet Knits by Evin Bail O’Keeffe
- MiniSkein Sampler (Advent) Wrap by Julie-Ann Amos
- Ziggety Zaggety Advent Wrap by Julie-Ann Amos
- Winter Dawn by Tabetha Hedrick
- Lace Erica Carnea by Susann Hajjar
Leftovers/Minis with a Full Neutral Skein:
(sometimes a full skein is offered as an add-on for calendar sets)
- On the Spice Market (shawl) by Melanie Berg
- Rocky Mountain Rainbow (shawl) by Jennifer Beever
- Dragonfly Shawl by Regina Schoenfeldt
- Daunt (long cowl) by Kino Knits
- Colourful Geometry (scarf) by Petra Machová Kouřilová
- Softly Spoken by Janina Kallio
- Leftie by Martina Behm
- Aerglo Wrap from Ultraviolet Knits by Evin Bail O’Keeffe
- Pride Triangle by Aileen D-A
- Mini Stripe Cowl by Angie Kimel
- Take It All by Lisa Hannes
- Time Trades by Caitlin Hunter
- Buccaneer by Justyna Lorkowska
- Surprise Party Shawl by Helen Stewart
- Color Spell by Joji Locatelli
- Mighty Mini by Rachel Henry
- My Rainbow Heart by Stephanie Lotven
- Infinite Rainbow Cowl by Connie Santisteban
Fades for larger yardages:
- Spector by Joji Locatelli
- Soil Sweater by Leeni Hoi
- Mon Manet by Jonna Hietala
- Decemberist by Melanie Berg
- Harmonize Special Editions by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
- Something Autumnal by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
- Bitterroot by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
- Darkest before the Dawn by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
- Chevrione by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
- Simee Dimeh by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
- Caret by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
- Free Your Fade by Andrea Mowry
- Comfort Fade Cardi by Andrea Mowry
- Vertical Kaleidoscope Cardigan by Leslye Solomon
- Never Fading by Justyna Lorkowska
- Baktus Scarf by Strikkelise
- Speckled Fade by Stephen West
- Match & Move by Martina Behm
- Porch Light Wrap from Ultraviolet Knits by Evin Bail O’Keeffe
Fade Patterns to Knit and Love
- Spector by Joji Locatelli
- Soil Sweater by Leeni Hoi
- Mon Manet by Jonna Hietala
- Decemberist by Melanie Ber
- Harmonize Special Editions by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
- Something Autumnal by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
- Bitterroot by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
- Darkest before the Dawn by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
- Chevrione by Rosemary (Romi) HillSimee Dimeh by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
- Caret by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
- Free Your Fade by Andrea Mowry
- Comfort Fade Cardi by Andrea Mowry
- Vertical Kaleidoscope Cardigan by Leslye Solomon
- Never Fading by Justyna Lorkowska
- Baktus Scarf by Strikkelise
- Speckled Fade by Stephen West
- Match & Move by Martina Behm
This is fantastic!! Thanks so much for this. I’m waiting on my first advent kit to arrive. So I’m thinking striped sweater with a main color
So, I was trolling the internet for patterns to use my miniskeins, and my own design is on here 🙂 That was a fun thing to see! Thanks for the list 🙂