what to do with a single ball of "nice" yarn

[hedgewick]

Oh folks, here's the deal. I am a beginner knitter so I am not up to socks or mittens yet (dpn are scary). I'm constantly seeing these lovely single balls of yarn on ebay that are not a bad price. You know... the ones that are hand spun/dyed and look really great! Alas, they also look like they are too small to make anything with them. What do you all do with small balls like this? Was thinking of getting one and making a scarf as a christmas gift but I'm afraid of running out and hate to waste this nice yarn by adding something else to it. I can't really afford to go crazy with the yarn spending so this seems like a nice option if I can pull it off.

what to do...what to do...?

[ebrperk]

Does it tell you how many yards are there? You can make a hat with about 200 yards or so of yarn. Or if it is less you could make a headband to keep your ears warm in the winter.

[janelanespaintbrush]

Here's a whole book on the subject.

[Cristy]

That one skein book has the cutest little change purse in it that I keep thinking of knitting...

what about something like an ipod sock? They can be knitted as flat panel and seamed up the sides...

or...just hold on to it and use it later when you make a striped blanket or something that you need multiple skeins for...

or better yet....just buy it and fondle it...that's what I do...

[cocoa]

Hi there,

Here's a few ideas.

http://www.knittingpatterncentral.co...tory/belts.php

http://www.woolneedlework.com/Free%2...tt_928-431.htm

http://www.y2knit.net/Patterns/headband.pdf

http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/proj..._knitproj.html

http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting...s/hair/bow.htm

http://www.blackrayne.com/pages/batty.html

Dee.

[Stiney]

DPN's aren't scary, they're WONDERFUL! Really, they are. I only started knitting this summer and I LOVE knitting in the round.

[earthchick]

I think the scrunchable scarf is a great, easy, fast project that looks really beautiful with a handpainted yarn (much prettier than the picture in the link). If you have about 200 yards and cast on 20 stitches, you can knit a long skinny scarf about 6 feet long.

[Brvfan]

When I started back knitting I made lots of scarves. I found they were a good way to learn to get the tension right. Also, had trouble with small needles (1,2,3) so I took a skein of self striping sock yarn and cast on 22 stitches on a size 3 needle and knit a long scarf. It came out great and looked like I did alot of work but just used self striping yarn. It was fun to see the stripes appear in the scarf and now I am very comfortable with the small needles which I use for socks.

Debby

[Jan in CA]

You probably have enough to do one of those long skinny scarves that are so popular.

[VictoiseC]

Well I've been making lots of things because I thought I would do crafts shows and sell things. (I did my first craft show last month and didn't sell anything! ha It was a bad day for all though)

But I make something I call my Lucky 7 scarves. Only 7 stitches but then really long. I like little scarves wound round and round the neck and then of course, you just stop when you run out. There are some picturs of them on this post if you want to see them.

http://knittinghelp.com/knitting/for...hlight=#269771

I often buy yarn on ebay, have got some great deals!