creative projects to use up (worsted weight) yarn bits?

calling all knitters & crocheters who happen to read this here blog!
what's your favorite way of using up your random ends of yarn? particularly your worsted weight yarns? can you recommend a favorite pattern or several patterns that are just the ticket for yarn oddments?
i have a gazillion little leftover bits of wool and wool blend yarns, the remainder from the myriad of projects i've completed over the last six (!!!) years. they are up there in the photo above. and that's only a small fraction of what i have...it's merely the tip of the remnant yarn iceberg, if you will.
so far, i've put them to use as a wavy crocheted blanket, numerous cowls, a random stripey kids sweater, and a few more things...
i can think of a few more ways i might want to use it: to make striped legwarmers, striped mittens (for me and maybe a bunch of other folks!), more cowls, a top-down raglan fitted cardi for moi, a granny square or circle blanket for p., and, hrm...i'm still thinking ha!
anyway, i'm putting a call out to you, to ask for help for genius ideas to do with all this yarn. can you help??

maybe it will help more than just me!

do share!

colette patterns: new retro loveliness

(images via colette patterns)

have you seen the new patterns from colette patterns, the brainchild of the incredibly talented sarai of sweet sassafrass? as of this past few weeks, she's added the stunning oolong dress, lady grey coat, and sensha blouse you see above (and several more patterns!!) to her already gorgeous, vintage-influenced, figure-flattering pattern offerings. i love how each of her patterns come packed inside a little booklet that's lovingly designed and jammed full of incredibly thorough and well-written instructions. the patterns themselves sit nicely in a little built in fold in the back of said booklet...totally smart packaging design, sarai!
i've made the beignet, a high-wasted button up the front skirt (in a navy blue pique) and i love it! so i can say that as far as i am concerned, colette patterns come highly recommended!
have you made any of the colette patterns? which ones? how did it go? are you a fan too? :)
a related aside: wouldn't it be wonderful if there were more indie pattern companies out there, offering things to suit different whims and tastes, that maybe the big pattern companies can't reach or address (because they are perhaps pursuing more average tastes?)...what a wonderful idea, no? do you know of any other great, small, stylish pattern companies? do share!

outsapop's amazing trashion DIY sweater-cape

(image via outsapop trashion)

take a gander at this glorious patchwork DIY sweater-cape made by finland's outi of outsapop trashion, above! the sweater-cape and instructions on how to make one for yourself were recently published in the helsingin sanomat. she graciously re-printed the instructions on her blog, in this post, along with an english translation. how AWESOME. thank you, outi!! the project looks complicated, yes, but really, all it takes is some time and a little effort, and whoa, are the results stunning, or what??
(back in the bronx, in a storage unit, i've got some piles of felted sweaters that would be put to good good use using this pattern! if i ever get around to using them and making one of these, you'll be hearing about it...) :)