How to Crochet a Blanket from Scrap Yarn

A paradox of the American economy is that raw materials are often more expensive and more difficult to obtain than ready-made goods. I, for one, can not afford to buy many skeins of yarn at the same time to ensure that the lot numbers, and therefore colors, match exactly. Instead, I work with random yarn donations from friends and family. It took years for me to realize that this did not have to be an impediment to my completing larger crochet projects, like throws and blankets.

The first step to this realization was the epiphany that all colors can match if put together in a meaningful pattern. If I have enough yarn to repeat a stripe to balance later on, the look is unique rather than clashing. This style of free crochet, of continuously solving color and texture anomalies as they arise, keeps me more involved in the project. The final product feels like an expression of myself rather than a pattern, and I can feel good about giving grand purpose to modest scraps of yarn.

There are two major pattern ideas that can handle such randomness: Stripes and Squares. Squares can be made gradually and stitched together later. Stripes of different colors can be layered thick or thin or a combination, in any stitch you like.

My great auntie Carla's favorite pattern is the zig-zag, a style in which she's made blankets for the whole family. For this pattern, start with a chain just a little longer than the desired width of the afghan. Then as you are stitching (or "zigging", I guess), create the high point by chaining a few extra and making your stitch in the same place so it looks like a triangle standing on its point; as you are zagging, create the low point by jumping ahead on the chain to make your stitch into a flat-bottom triangle. Then zig again. This pattern can be played with for many exciting variations.

It is possible that with so many different yarns in the same project, you might want to keep the pattern simple, such as straight lines or solid squares checkered in a logical pattern. If you are daring, however, there are many things that can be done with granny square combinations.

The granny square begins with a chain of three to five that is joined in a circle. Then double stitches make a wreath, three or four at a time, with a couple of chains in between groups and a few for the corners. For detailed instructions, YouTube has some easy-to-follow videos. Also, a site called Bev's Country Cottage has a great collection of granny square variations with hearts and sunbursts and rainbows.

Happy stitching!