Creating a crochet scrap blanket is a wonderful way to use up leftover yarn that you might have hanging around. Partial skeins and mismatched colours are absolutely perfect for projects like this. The yarn that is leftover from old projects is now being used to make a new one. No yarn is wasted, how great is that?

Being part of a few online crochet groups, I often see scrap blanket related questions: Can I mix fibres? What stitch works best? What hook size should I use? I’m here to help and I’m happy to share all the things I’ve learned through crocheting scrap blankets. Let’s get going so you can make your own:

What is A Scrap Blanket?
A scrap blanket is a way to use up any odd bits of yarn you have in your stash. I have used lengths as little as 1 metre and as much as 1 whole skein leftover from a project. Tie your leftover pieces together and wind them into a ball or cake for your own self striping yarn. Or use them “as is” and coordinate the colour order and where you’d like to change them. If you’d like to have a bit more of an organized method, change colours every row or every few rows. There is no wrong way to make a scrap blanket!

What kind of yarn can I use?
You can use pretty much any yarn you want and in the same way you would use it to make a regular crochet blanket.

Can I mix yarn brands and fibres?
You sure can….but this one comes with caution. Because many brands and fibres all have their own washing instructions, it’s usually in the best interest of a finished project to follow those instructions properly. However, if you have lost the label or want to use different fibres, be extra attentive. A lot of yarn today is actually both machine washable and dryable which is really great for making care easy. When mixing yarns like cotton with acrylic, I would wash on a gentle cycle in cold water and dry on the lowest setting possible…or better yet, lay it outside to dry. I’ve tossed my mixed fibre blanket into the dryer on low heat and didn’t have any issue but it’s always best to be extra careful as all yarns and brands are different. It would be a little disheartening to find the cotton section of your blanket shrink while the rest of your acrylic rows stayed the same.

When it comes to mixing yarn weights, that is harder but is also doable. I made a corner to corner blanket with acrylic but in one row, tossed in some bulky because “why not?”. I was using a size 5 hook throughout the blanket in the worsted sections but when I transitioned to the bulky weight, I went up to a size 6 and tightened the tension. It worked well and created some great texture!

What size hook should I use?
Use what’s recommended on the label. If you don’t have label and yarn looks to be worsted weight, I’d use a 4mm, 5mm or 6mm hook. Use your discretion as to what is comfortable and what you find works for the yarn you are using. There’s a lot of flexibility with scrap blankets!

What are some pattern ideas for a scrap blanket?
Scrap blankets are usually colourful, vibrant and incredibly unique. Some stitches and patterns work better than others to showcase those features. Here are just a few pattern and stitch ideas that work well for scrap blankets:

– C2C (Corner to corner method means instead of working in traditional rows from one side to another, you are working from one corner to the other). You can use single crochet, half double crochet and double crochet stitches for different variations.
– Bavarian square
– Simple stripes using the basic stitches.
– Moss stitch
– Granny square (either small individual ones stitched together or make one large continuous granny blanket)
– Granny rows
– Solid granny squares
– Batternberg style
– Virus pattern
– Shell stitch
– Solid hexagons
– Sampler blanket (This is when you make a different stitch every row, or every few rows. It’s also a great excuse to pull out your favourite stitch book and learn some new ones!)
– V stitch
– Bobble stitch
– Chevron pattern
– Larksfoot stitch
– Catherine wheel stitch
– Waffle stitch
– Shell stitch
– Spike stitch
– Ripple stitch
– Basket weave stitch
– Use two strands of worsted weight in different shades for a colourful and bulky blanket.

(If you aren’t familiar with any of the items in the list, a quick YouTube search will provide numerous video tutorials to help you learn)

How big should a scrap blanket be?
You can make your blanket any size you want. I’ve made them as baby blankets, lap blankets and one for a queen sized bed. You don’t have to finish it right away either. Work on it until you reach your desired size or hold onto it until you have some more leftover yarn and add to it!

When it comes to scrap blankets, they are a beautiful way to display colours and designs. No two blankets will be alike which creates such a unique and personal touch. And since they use leftover yarn, they can be a great reminder of your past projects too!

Not feeling in the mood for a big project like a blanket? That’s okay. Check out my blog post Scrap Yarn: What Is It Good For? for some other project ideas that use your leftover yarn stash.

Have you made a scrap blanket before or do you want make one? Tag me on Instagram @sweet_bee_crochet because I’d like to see your beautiful projects. If you’re not on Instagram and want to connect, you can find other ways to get in touch by heading over to my “Contact” page.

Don’t forget to save this post to your favourite crochet Pinterest board!

Happy Crocheting!