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How The Scrappy Project Works

Processing Yarn • Creating Value • Powering Community

1. Yarn Intake & Quality Control

What happens when yarn arrives

  • Yarn is logged by weight, fiber type, and condition

  • Each batch is assigned a unique intake ID

  • Yarn is inspected for:

    • Cleanliness & dryness

    • Fiber safety

    • Usability for resale, donation, or making

  • Yarn that cannot be safely repurposed is respectfully declined

Metrics captured: grams received, fiber type, usable yield

2. Sorting & Preparation

Turning scraps into usable materials

  • Yarn is sorted by:

    • Weight (fingering, DK, worsted, bulky, etc.)

    • Fiber (natural, blends, acrylic)

    • Yardage potential

  • Scraps may be:

    • Combined into larger usable lots

    • Rewound, balled, or skeined

    • Prepared for machine or hand use

Who does this:

  • Trained volunteers

  • Paid processing staff

3. Valuation & Assignment

Giving yarn real, transparent value

Each batch is assigned a value based on:

  • Weight (grams)

  • Fiber content

  • Market resale value

  • Intended use (resale, donation, training, production)

Yarn is then designated as:

  • Resale Yarn (affordable, second-life pricing)

  • Donation Yarn (for nonprofit partners)

  • Training Yarn (learning, practice, skill-building)

  • Production Yarn (used to create needed items)

This step allows fair pricing, tax documentation, and impact reporting.

4. Workforce & Volunteer Integration

People matter as much as yarn

Volunteers

  • Help with:

    • Sorting and prep

    • Winding and skeining

    • Packing and labeling

  • Trained to work safely and consistently

  • Flexible schedules, skill-based roles

Want to volunteer? Learn a skill. Support sustainability. Build community.

Paid Employees & Makers

  • Paid fair wages for:

    • Yarn processing

    • Machine knitting or making

    • Quality control

  • Focus on:

    • Underemployed individuals

    • People re-entering the workforce

    • Skills that can grow into income opportunities

Looking for meaningful work? We train, support, and pay.

5. Community Partner Collaboration

  • Yarn becomes tools for good

    We work with:

    • Nonprofits that make needed items

    • Schools, shelters, and community groups

    • Training and workforce programs

    Partners receive:

    • Yarn matched to their mission

    • Clear expectations and tracking

    • Support for sustainable making

    Are you a community partner?
    Let’s match yarn to real needs.

6. Local Scrappy Collectors

Decentralized, community-powered collection

  • Individuals or groups collect yarn locally

  • Host drop points or drives

  • Send bulk yarn to The Scrappy Project for processing

Collectors receive:

  • Recognition

  • Impact reporting

  • Community engagement opportunities

Want to collect Scrappy yarn in your area?
Be the local connector.

7. Tracking, Transparency & Impact

Nothing disappears into a black hole

We track:

  • Grams processed

  • Yarn allocated by purpose

  • People trained and employed

  • Community partners supported

Data feeds:

  • Donor transparency

  • Grant reporting

  • Community storytelling