I saved scraps of yarn at least 18"-20" long and longer. These scraps would usually be thrown away. However I just kept saving them and also some larger scraps and just knotted them together into a "magic ball" and made a rectangular afghan. When I thought it was large enough I found a started hank of soft white and crocheted a scalloped edge all around. It really came out nice and I had donated it.
I keep them to do all the things listed above and the little ones to find the yarn in that color again if the store no longer has te yarn color that I need....
I use scraps to make a bell angel for christmas and small bunnies for easter. These items are than donated to our local hospital for the chaplain to hand out at each holiday to patients
Mamarose - you scrap-ghan is beautiful. I'm sure whoever received it was most appreciative. I am almost done with my second "ugly blanket." This one is for my son. He requested scraps of blue and yellow so it's not too bad. Because I started with darker varieties and worked toward lighter shades, it just looks like half of it got sun bleached or something! lol