Scrappy Squares blanket out now…

Meet the Scrappy Squares blanket, a pattern I’ve created to use up a pile of scrap yarn I have collected over time. When you knit, most of you will know a “Memory blanket.” This lovely pattern lets you create squares out of scrap yarns in a join-as-you-go method to create a blanket.

I wanted to have a crochet version! But surprisingly, there was none! I started testing, working, and frogging a lot to create the same concept: crocheting squares out of scrap yarns, using a join-as-you-go method so you will see your project grow and decide what kind of colors you put together as you continue on. Well, here are Scrappy Squares.

You can take all kinds of scraps in different brands and colors for this pattern. The only rule to apply is to stay in the same thickness of yarn. For example, I made my version in fingering weight – which is most of the time sock yarns. I had an advent calendar full of mini skeins lying around from Pixie Yarns, I had different scraps and leftovers from socks I made from brands like La bien Aimee and Apmezga, but I also used regular solid colors of sock yarn from brands such as Scheepjes Metropolis and Regia Uni 4-ply. All these brands are somewhere between 360-420 meters of yarn per 100 grams, so it doesn’t matter if the meters of a typical brand are a bit off compared to another, but you can’t use DK weight of yarn and fingering weight together. So, when you work on it, decide if you like to use a lot of scraps in fingering weight, DK weight, worsted weight, etc.

Be creative in combining colors next to each other, if you don’t have enough yarn left for one full square, maybe make a 50/50 square out of two small scraps. Anything is possible, and it is definitely the thing to be creative. The start of the pattern will be a learning curve, and you have to crochet some squares to get the concept and get it in your head….but once you’ve got it, off you go, and it is a very relaxing and satisfying thing to grab while watching or listening to something. You can make a challenge for yourself to make one square each day – or perhaps each week. And the size is limitless as you can grow and grow as big as you like.

Some general information about the pattern:

Yarn requirements: I have used different brands of fingering weight yarn for this blanket. I will also not give a total of yarn as you can let this blanket grow to any size possible. It is just a start-up for whatever you like to make. I have used two Colors. Color A will be a fingering weight yarn in a range of 360-420 meters of yarn per 100 grams. This will be all the scraps you like to use. As a divider, I used Color B, a white, undyed yarn in the same conditions; this can also be any brand you like if both Colors are in the same level of conditions. For example, I used brands such as Scheepjes Metropolis, Apmezga, La bien Aimee, Regia sock yarn, Simy’s Studio, and many more in multiple squares.

Needed for one square:
Color A: any fingering scrap yarn ( 8 – 10 grams of yarn / approx. 29 – 39 meters of yarn)
Color B: a white or undyed fingering weight yarn ( 2 – 3 grams of yarn / approx. 8-15 meters of yarn)

If you don’t like a white dividing stripe in the pattern, skip Color B, take 10 grams of scrap yarn, and crochet on with the same color. Also, when there are not 8 grams of scrap yarn left for one square, it is possible to create 8 grams out of 2 different scrap yarns. Get crazy and creative!

If you don’t have fingering weight yarn available, you can do this with any type of yarn. For example, make a DK variant or a Worsted Weight version. It is important to always stick to the chosen weight type, although in the chosen range, you can definitely have some difference in length on different balls.

Hook size needed: As we want a nice drape, I advise a full-size hook size that is more significant for the chosen yarn. I used a 4.0mm crochet hook for the squares.

Size: One square without a white border will measure 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches), and with a white border, it will measure 12 x 12 cm (3 x 3 inches).

There is no finished size for the entire blanket, as you can join as you go and decide your own size in the end by adding as many squares as you wish.

The pattern is built out of only a few stitches, which makes it very easy and beginner-friendly.

The pattern is free. It contains a basic chart, written instructions, and many photos to guide you. However, the pattern tells you all the basic steps to start your Scrappy Squares. There is no amount or end goal described, so you can decide for yourself how big you like to grow your blanket.

Available in English (US) and Dutch.

Ready to take off and try to work away a huge pile of scraps, here is the pattern to download. Click on the file to open/download it.

If you like to save it in your library on Ravelry, that is an option as well. You can find the pattern on Ravelry here:

Scrappy Squares blanket on Ravelry.

Well, that’s it! Enjoy the pattern and I am gonna continue on with my version. Of course, I still need a lot of squares to cover to finish up…but I couldn’t wait to share this wonderful and sustainable crochet pattern with you all!