There’s something so satisfying about making a cosy yarn scrap crochet blanket using only your existing yarn stash. Not only is it a great way to use up those small leftover bits, but it also gives you a sense of accomplishment knowing you created something beautiful without spending extra money on new yarn.
I made this granny square blanket for my cat Churchill using the tiny balls from my scrap yarn jar, and I’m excited to share the process with you. See my reel here which shows you how I put it together. This is a really easy crochet granny square blanket that is totally suited to a beginner. Each square measures approx. 8cm x 8cm (3.25in x 3.25in) and I used 3 colours per square but you can use fewer colours should you wish. My finished cat blanket was 46cm x 55cm (18in x 21.5in) with border.
My blanket is a mix of lots of different colours. Once you’ve made the granny squares, I suggest you join them using a simple double crochet (US single crochet) stitch and then crochet a border using 4 different colours. Before we get to the pattern, I’d like to give you some pointers for utilising your scrap yarn if this is something you don’t usually do or you’re new to crochet and quickly building up leftover yarn!
How to organise and use up yarn scraps for crochet – tips for storing and sorting yarn scraps
When you get to the end of a skein / ball of yarn, even if you think you can’t do much with it, you really can! Wind your ends into little balls and separate them into yarn weight and fibre content. For instance, I have a jar for cotton DK and a jar for acrylic DK. But you can also organise them by colour too. Whichever way works for you.
Creative ways to incorporate scrap yarn into crochet projects – crochet patterns and ideas that utilise small yarn quantities
As well as the obvious small crochet projects to use up your yarn stash, you can make garments too by knotting together your ends. Here’s my yarn scrap sweater using the crochet pattern from Crochet and a Cuppa. I love it – it’s my favourite sweater!
There’s tons of crochet patterns to make a hexagon cardigan and I’ve seen so many amazing versions just using yarn stash skeins. You can still be so creative without breaking the bank!
If you’re quite new to crochet and you’re learning lots of new stitches, then it’s a great way to practice those stitches using your yarn scraps. You can make swatches of your new stitches and keep a collection which you can refer to.
Here’s some other ideas for you for using up your yarn scraps – quick and easy crochet projects:
- Colourful crochet coasters – see my free pattern here.
- Mini crochet amigurumi animals
- Simple crochet headbands or hair accessories
- Pom-Pom garlands or wall hangings
- Crochet scrunchies like these below I made to sell at a Christmas fair and they sold really well!
- Crochet baskets like these little hanging plant baskets
- Crochet patchwork cushion covers – why not use this crochet pattern to make a matching cushion to your blanket?
There’s also lots of charitable crochet projects you can do with scrap yarn. Here’s some ideas of things you can make:
- Crochet lap blankets for the elderly
- Crochet hats, scarves, or blankets for shelters
- Crochet stuffed animals and baby blankets for children’s hospitals
- Crochet pet blankets for animal rescue charities
Easy yarn scrap crochet granny square blanket pattern
What you will need:
Small amounts of any DK yarn
4mm hook (US G-6)
Tapestry needles
Scissors
Abbreviations in UK terminology
3trcl – 3 treble crochet cluster
ch – chain
dc (US sc) – double crochet (US single crochet)
FO – fasten off
MR – magic ring
rep – repeat
sp(s) – space(s)
ss – slip st
st(s) – stitch(es)
tr (US dc) – treble crochet (US double crochet)
yoh – yarn over hook
Special Stitches
3 treble crochet cluster – (yoh, insert hook into st, pull up a loop, yoh and pull through 2 loops) three times, yoh and pull through 4 loops.
Instructions
Make as many granny squares as needed for your blanket. For my cat’s blanket I made 30 squares. With your first colour and a 4mm hook, make a MR.
Round 1. Ch1 (does not count as a st here and throughout), 8dc into the MR, ss into the 1st st. [8 sts] (Fig. 1)
Round 2. Ch1, 3trcl in same st as ch1, ch3, (3trcl in next st, ch3) seven more times, ss into 1st 3trcl, FO. [8 3trcl, 8 ch3-sps] (Fig. 2)
Round 3. With your 2nd colour, ss into any ch3-sp, ch6 (counts as a tr, ch3 throughout), 3tr in the same sp, 3tr in the next ch3-sp, *(3tr, ch3, 3tr) in the next ch3-sp, 3tr in the next ch3-sp, rep from * two more times, 2tr in the next ch3-sp, ss into the 3rd ch of the beg ch6, FO. [36tr, 4 ch3-sps] (Fig. 3)
Round 4. With your 3rd colour, ss into any ch3-sp, ch6, 3tr in the same sp, (3tr in between the next two groups of 3tr) twice, *(3tr, ch3, 3tr) in the next ch3-sp, (3tr in between the next two groups of 3tr) twice, rep from * two more times, 2tr in the next ch3-sp, ss into the 3rd ch of the beg ch6, FO. [48tr, 4 ch3-sps] (Fig. 4)
Joining Instructions
Decide on your blanket layout and how you want to arrange your squares – my cat blanket has 5 columns and 6 rows but you can do whatever arrangement that suits your needs. Now you are going to join your squares in rows using a 4mm hook and a simple double crochet stitch keeping your sts a bit looser or alternatively swop to a 4.5mm hook.
Take your first 2 squares and with wrong sides together, ss into both corner ch3-sps, ch1, dc in the same sp, *dc in each st (making sure you match sts on both squares) to the next ch3-sp, dc in the same sp, take the next 2 squares and dc in the corner ch3-sp, rep from * until you have completed the first row. You will have ridges of double crochet along each join. If this is too bulky for you, work the same method with the right sides together instead so the double crochet stitches will be on the wrong side of the blanket. See the two images below showing the difference.
Add the next row in the same manor attaching to the previously worked rows until all rows are completed. Turn your work 90 degrees and do the same for the columns. Now all of your square should be joined.
Border Instructions
With your chosen colour, ss into any corner ch3-sp, ch6 (counts as a tr, ch3), 3tr in the same sp, 3tr in between each set of 3tr groups to the next ch3-sp, 3tr in the same sp and 3tr in the next ch3-sp, continuing in this manor until the next corner ch3-sp, (3tr, ch3, 3tr) in the same sp, continue in this pattern all the way around the blanket until you reach the 1st ch3-sp corner sp, 2tr in the same sp and ss into the 3rd ch of the beg ch6, FO.
Continue your next border rounds with the same stitch pattern of groups of 3tr until you reach your desired size. Finish with a round of double crochet with 3dc in each corner. You can add any kind of border to your blanket not forgetting to use your yarn stash!
