With 2019 behind us, it's time for a stashdown in 2020! Even though we had a big stashdown last year, I find myself with tons of extra yarn again...how does this keep happening!?!
Do you want to join me on a de-stash adventure? This year we're going to make an awesome square blanket again, as large or as small as you want, using yarn on hand as we go! This year my personal goal is simplification, so we're going to make an easy and beautiful granny square. You can just keep adding rounds until it is as big as you like...fun!
Here are some tips to get started! (written instructions for the square are further down):
- Grab a bin or basket and use it to collect your yarn odds and ends from your collection.
- I'll be using a K crochet hook, but you can use any size hook that suits your yarn best.
- Try choosing a color palette you like and look for yarn in that color (This year I'm going neutral with taupes, creams, grays, and browns)
- Any weight you have on hand is fine! To get the chunky strand we're after, you may have to hold two or more strands together.
- Last thing, if you plan on machine washing your blanket when it is finished, make sure all of your yarn is machine washable too!
The written instructions are further down in this post, but be sure to check out the video below for the intro to the project + full blanket tutorial:
Supplies:
- Yarn odds and ends in a similar weight
- K (6.5 mm) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
Instructions:
This blanket is a classic granny square. You can make it as big as you want by simply working more rounds. Change colors/yarn each time you run out of yarn as you work through your stash!
Chain 4, join into a ring with a slip stitch.
Round 1: Chain 4, work (3 dc into center of ring, chain 1) 3 times, then 2 dc into center of ring. Join to close with a slip stitch.
Round 2: To work the corner of round 2, first chain 3, then 2 dc in same space, then chain 1, then 3 dc in the same space...first corner done!
Then chain 1, then work the next corner by working 3 dc in next space, chain 1, then 3 dc in same space, chain 1, repeat two more times to complete the round.
Round 3: Work the corner in the same manner as the previous round: chain 3, 2 dc in same space, chain 1, 3 dc in same space, chain 1. To work the sides, simply work 3 dc in the next space, then chain 1...repeat until you reach a corner again.
Keep working in this manner, with two clusters in the corners and one cluster on the sides until you finish the round. Just be sure there is a ch 1 in between each grouping of 3 dc as you work each round. That is what gives you those pretty spaces in between each cluster and keeps it nice and flat.
Repeat round 3 as many times as you want to achieve the desired size.
A note about making solid vs. multicolored rounds:
- To begin a new round in the same color, simply slip stitch until you reach a ch 1 at the corner and keep going.
- To begin a new round in a new/different color, cut yarn, leaving a tail, and fasten it with a slip stitch. Join the new yarn at one of the corners as shown and tie securely.
- Did your yarn run out in the middle of your round? Simply tie on the new yarn and keep going (weave in the ends into the corresponding color--blue tail into blue section of stitches for example).
Finishing:
Weave in any ends.
Be sure to check out our two special communities for our CAL makers! Each has a welcome area/thread, so please hop on and introduce yourself. You can get info, ask questions, help each other, see what everyone is doing, and show off your work too!
Also, don't forget to use the hashtag, #fiberfluxcal to share your work on social media!
*I will give updates each throughout the year to show the progress of my blanket. Please share yours too on social media and in our Fiber Flux CAL groups (see above!). Happy de-stashing lovelies!
