Not-So-Scrappy Scrap Blankets

As much as I love the look of a nicely executed scrap blanket, you might have noticed random is not a thing I do well. 

Unfortunately like most knitters, I have an abundance of scraps, leftovers and partials tucked in the stash. The challenge for me, therefore, has been to create a variety of ways to put these leftovers to good use. These afghan designs have helped me do just that, and they might help you do the same.


Angletyn

Worked on the bias, Angletyn's large-scale chevron design is highly adaptable. If you have lots of leftovers of similar weight, simply arrange the colors in a sequence you find visually pleasing, then knit each strip in a series of two-row stripes. If you have varied scrap amounts, try knitting stripes of different depths based on how much you have of each color. 

Color Check

Designed as a multi-color project, Color Check features a simple slip stitch that's ideally suited to burning through scraps and leftovers. Pick a unifying color for the check outlines and use scraps and leftovers for the fill colors. This reversible design consists of  strips joined to create two panels, which are then seamed together back to back. As a result, you can change colors as often as you choose without worrying about lots of ends to weave — simply bury them inside the seamed panels.


Drumlin

Worked with another easy slip stitch, Drumlin is a versatile, quick knit and is fully reversible. The stitch creates a fluted texture on both sides, and its attractive worked in a single solid color or in alternating two-row stripes. For a striped approach like the example shown above, try pairing two solid colors or match a solid with a complementary confetti, speckled or variegated yarn.


Herlacyn

From the beginning, Herlacyn was designed to help use up some of the many partial skeins lingering in the stash. In the example shown, colors were arranged in a diagonal pattern to create an ombre or gradient effect, but there are countless ways to adapt this pattern to accommodate yarn on hand. Try working the triangles in a single contrasting solid, rich or bright rainbow colors, or various shades from the same color family.


Lucben

Worked in strips rather than individual blocks, Lucben offers a fresh take on the timeless look of a classic 9-patch blanket. You can do what I did and mix various shades from the same color family to create a custom gradient, or choose a light and dark color, then alternate them for a checkerboard effect. Try a tonal approach using closely related hues for the blocks and borders, or try a simple two-color strategy, using one for the blocks and the other for the borders. 


Tikkyn

With its charming pindot stitch, Tikkyn offers a host of scrap-busting possibilities. Keep the emphasis on the cozy texture by working each strip in a different color. Tone down a busy variegated, speckled or confetti yarn by pairing it with a related solid shade. To accommodate different amounts of yarn, try working long stretches in one color combination and shorter sections in another, similar to Tikkyn Flagstone.


Twegen

Worked in yet another reversible slip stitch, Twegen is an attractive, easy way to put leftovers and partials to good use. For an interesting effect, choose a unifying main color and work each strip with that and a mix of colorful scraps and leftovers, both solid and variegated. For lighter weight yarns, try multistranding to create a fun marled fabric. For an ombre effect, sort yarns by color family and work each strip with the darkest shades at the bottom, medium ones in the middle, and lightest ones at the top.


Valere

With its compact geometric shapes, Valere readily lends itself to scrap-busting. Try a strategy similar to the one shown above, using a single color for the background and vivid contrasting colors for the banners or flags. If you have a lot of similar leftovers in a single color family, work all the banners in these varied shades. To use up small bits of yarn, work the banners in alternating two-row stripes. 


Keep in mind most of these ideas will work with a wide range of patterns. While you think about what type of scrap-busting project you prefer, take time to organize and inventory your scraps, leftovers and partials. That alone may be enough to prompt ideas and inspiration.

Some knitters, of course, are hyper-organized with yarny leftovers, but I'm not one of them. If I have lots of a specific type (I'm looking at you Cotton Fleece), I store all of them in the same small bin. With more limited leftovers, I tend to tuck them in with other yarns of the same or similar weight and fiber makeup, while super-small quantities often live out their last days snuggled with other small bits in a plastic container or ziploc bag.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope you found some of these tips useful. Each pattern highlighted here includes directions for three sizes (baby, lapghan, throw), along with detailed yardage breakouts, and easy modifications to help you transform all the yarn into something pretty and practical.

Happy not-so-scrappy knitting! 

Winding the Rainbow

We've had so much rain lately, I can't recall the last time we had a clear, sunny day. To combat the gloom, I've been gradually winding the rainbow yarn. 

The rich, saturated shades are the perfect antidote, and the touch of silk imparts a sheen that's especially appealing when the skies are gray.

This yarn is destined to become a shawl or wrap or cowl or some combination thereof, so while I wound, I took the opportunity to play a bit with color options. The assortment above features five colors (no magenta), for example, while the others feature six. 

I freely confess I lingered over the caking process, partly to simply wallow in this soothing task and partly to think through some issues I'm having with one of the designs I'm working on. 

Now that all the yarn is wound, I'm chomping at the bit and eager to cast on, but hopefully cooler heads will prevail. Several projects either on the needles or in the final finishing stages could in a relatively short period of time go from WIPs to FOs, if I could simply muster the discipline to make it happen.

No Regrets

Not long ago, I ordered yarn for what will hopefully become a light-weight, season-spanning shawl worked in a rich rainbow of vibrant gemtones. (Charlemont by Valley Yarns)

Because the price was right and online color selection can be tricky, I included a safety skein of a subdued purplish shade in case some skeins refused to play well together. It's a perfectly lovely color, but as you can see, it's significantly softer and less saturated than the ones above.

While I have no clue what I'm going to do with this lone singleton, I have no regrets. With 439 yards to play with, there's plenty of latitude to either use it on its own or pair it with another wayward orphan or odd ball from stash. I'm willing to live with that uncertainty for now, while I focus on swatching and casting on the next big thing, my rainbow shawl.

Knit the Rainbow

Our weather has been all over the place. Gray and gloomy. Violent and stormy. Cold and damp. The occasional mild, sunny and inviting days have been so rare, it's clearly time to take matters into my own hands.

When this lovely yarn (Valley Yarns Charlemont) went on sale, the cosmic timing was too perfect to resist. I'm going to knit the rainbow.

I've worked with this yarn before (Dojeling Wineberry wrap), and it has a nice hand, soft sheen and wide range of colors. It also has a healthy 439 yards per skein, so the six skeins below offer loads of options.

While I've not yet decided on a specific design or pattern, I'm certain of one thing. This yarn is destined to become a shawl or wrap, because next to fingerless mitts, they're the handknits I wear most often. In this yarn weight and fiber mix (merino, silk and nylon), the finished piece would be the ideal weight for spring, summer and fall.

Even better, when back-to-back gray days become too much to bear, I can wrap myself in a rich, vibrant rainbow and chase the gloom away. 


Want to see more posts on rainbow knits? Click here and your wish will come true.

Thinking Cap

Now that the bulky red hat is finished (granted, there are still some ends to weave), it's time to make some decisions.

The almost-but-still-not-quite-done Herlacyn afghan is one of two active projects on the needles. All it needs are the final edging and the last few ends woven, so the obvious choice is to buckle down, do the edging and turn this lingering WIP into an FO.

The second most obvious choice is to tackle the next strip in my plush rainbow afghan. While I've chatted about other things, I've been quietly working this in the background, and as a result, three out of five strips are done. It's been too grey and overcast to take pictures, so this is the most current shot available:

But why go with the obvious when one can indulge in some knitterly angst? Perhaps I should cast on the soft, simple gradient shawl, the one I've been spent so much time swatching and longing for. 

Or, I could succumb to the overwhelming temptation to whip up a quick pair of fingerless mitts in bulky red yarn to coordinate with my cheery red hat.

All of these are logical options, but somehow, in a moment of distraction, a completely different project crept onto the needles. 

It's another fast and easy hat, literally a "thinking cap," since I might as well keep my hands busy knitting while I figure out which project to tackle next. 


Connecting with the linkups in the sidebar.

Stashbusting Strategies (Part III)

Beautiful fall and winter yarns are beginning to arrive in yarn stores, so late summer/early fall is the ideal time for some serious stashbusting. Stashes are an important part of our creative life, but to avoid becoming overwhelmed, it's vital to have a full range of use-it-up strategies at our fingertips. Luckily, almost any project can become a stashbuster, but some fulfill that role more readily than others.

Today, I'm focusing on afghans, but the basic concepts can be applied to many projects, especially shawls, scarves and wraps. With that in mind, let's look at a few designs and explore their stashbusting potential, and if a particular design captures your imagination, you can click the bold title to learn more about the pattern.


Angletyn

The possibilities here are endless. You could:

• Create a Missoni-like effect by using rainbow CCs and changing colors every few rows. 
• Use a mix of broad, medium and narrow color bands to make the most of yarn on hand.
• Work the top and bottom triangles in your MC, then work alternating MC and CC stripes. 
• Work each chevron in a different handspun set against a contrasting MC.
• Create a tone-on-tone effect by working the MC and chevron bands in closely related colors.

Herlacyn 

Derived from an Old English phrase that referred to colorful harlequin patterns, Herlacyn by its very nature offers great stashbusting potential. You could:

• Pair six related CCs with one MC as shown to create an ombre or gradient effect.
• Reverse the look by working the diamonds in CCs and triangles in the MC.
• Choose three colors and one MC, then work each strip with the MC and one CC.
• Choose four colors and one MC, then use the same CC for all the triangles in one row.

Lucben

This fast and easy design has nearly infinite use-it-up potential. You could:

• Work every block in a different rainbow color using partials and leftovers.
• Make a simple grid using one MC for seams and trim, and one CC for blocks.
• Create a diagonal gradient similar to what's shown by using multiple shades of the same color. 
• Produce a checkerboard using just two CCs and working blocks in alternating colors.

Tikkyn

Tikkyn, too, has great stashbusting promise. Instead of rainbow colors, you could:

• Work each block in different neutrals such as shades of cream, sand, tan, taupe and brown.
• Pair two closely related colors for each strip and work two-tone strips rather than blocks. Go bright and vibrant, subtle and sophisticated, or rich and gem-like.
• Emphasize texture rather than color to use up stashed afghan or sweater quantities. Simply work the entire blanket in one color such as creamy yellow for a baby or grey for a guy.
• Adopt one of the color strategies featured in Beyond the Block: 20 Surefire Configurations.

Valere

Faced with a growing pile of leftovers and partial skeins from many multicolored projects, I needed a design that offered infinite ways to put these lovely leftovers to good use. Valere was the result and to maximize its potential, you could:

• Work it in an array of rainbow colors, similar to what's shown.  link to cream version
• Put leftovers to good use by making striped rather than solid banners. 
• Focus solely on two colors (one MC, one CC).
• Produce a gradient effect by working each banner in yarn from the same color family.

Afghans and blankets are easily adaptable and ideally suited to stashbusting efforts. After seven years of diligent stashbusting, my stash is at a comfortable size (not too big, not too small), and it all fits into the designated storage space. It's also been reshaped to more accurately reflect my current fiber, color and project preferences, which is a decided plus.

Because the thought of being entirely stashless makes me twitchy, I can't envision a day without yarn in reserve for midnight forays, quick gifts and experimental swatching. That's why periodically, I buckle down and focus on stashbusting projects. It puts lovely yarns to good use and frees up space for fresh infusions of fiber.

Hopefully, these ideas will provide ideas and inspiration for transforming your stash into unique and useful hand knits worked from the treasure trove hidden in your stash.

What are your favorite stashbusting tips and tricks?


RELATED

Stashbusting Strategies (Part I)	Stashbusting Strategies (Part II)

Pattern | Valere Reversible Afghan

With striking triangles and clean geometric lines, Valere is a versatile unisex afghan packed with possibilities.

Latin for valiant or worthy, Valere features jaunty banners perfect for every occasion. Whether you’re valiantly knitting for a worthy little knight or princess, anticipating a new arrival, or celebrating the heroics of a favorite team, simply shift the color strategy to adapt Valere to any circumstance or recipient.

Fast, easy and reversible, this afghan sports a subtle texture on the front and plush texture on the back. The compact triangles are great for mini or partial skeins, and one easy color change per row creates crisp diagonal lines. Strip construction keeps your project contained and portable, while the modified three-needle technique makes seaming a breeze and preserves drape.

With Valere, the:

• Crossed stockinette stitch is easy to execute and creates a stable fabric with an appealing texture.
• Color work is a breeze and one easy color change produces crisp diagonal lines.
• Strip construction keeps your work compact and portable, so you can work on your afghan anytime and anywhere.

• Pattern is simple enough for any moderately experienced beginner. It's concise but complete, and includes directions, stitch counts, yardage and dimensions for three sizes.
• Yarn is worsted weight or its equivalent, so your project grows quickly.
• Design is versatile and unisex, suitable for all ages, and can be worked in different yarns and countless combinations. 

Valere Afghan  | Fast, Easy & Reversible

Skill Level 2: Easy
Yarn: Worsted weight; adapts to any weight and multi-stranding

Shown: Cotton Fleece (Brown Sheep)

Needles: US 8 (5 mm)
Sizes: 3 sizes (baby, lapghan, throw)

Yardage (approx.): 765 to 1315 yards                                   

The pattern includes three popular sizes from baby and lapghan to throw. Written for worsted weight yarn, it readily adapts to other weights and multi-strand strategies. Work the pattern as written or use the handy Quick Reference guide, schematic, tips, tricks and easy modifications to tailor it to your tastes.

The version shown features cheerful rainbow shades worked in year-round Cotton Fleece, but the design adapts to whatever yarn and color strategy suits your style. Work the banners in one color and background in a closely related shade for a tone-on-tone or ombre effect. Choose soft shades for a baby or team colors for your best guy. Or create an eye-catching effect using self-striping yarn for the banners and a solid, contrasting color for the background.


Vivid and bright or subtle and sophisticated, the only limitation is your imagination. 

This pattern is ideal for mini-skeins and partials, so head to your favorite yarn store to select precisely the colors you prefer, or use partials and leftovers to turn it into the perfect stashbusting project. Whatever approach you take, the end result is a striking afghan so inviting and versatile, you may find yourself making one for everyone on your knitting list.

Ready to get started? Just click here to buy the pattern now. Enjoy!

To read more about this design, see FO | Valere Summer Rainbow and FO | Valere Vivid Rainbow.
To explore different rainbow color schemes, see 7 Cheerful Rainbow Color Combos.

FO | Valere Summer Rainbow

My knitting is so often out of sync with both trends and weather, I'm as surprised as you to find I've finished this summery version of Valere while it's actually summer. And the timing couldn't be better.

Mornings and evenings have been delightfully cool, and this blanket is the perfect weight to throw over bare legs or drape around bare shoulders (yep, I've been known to do that) to ward off the chill. The fact that it's made with soft Cotton Fleece adds to its summery feel.

The last time you saw this, the borders were curling and the usual lumps and bumps found in works in progress were highly visible. Blocking worked its magic, so the borders lay flat, the stitches have relaxed and the bumps have disappeared.

This version features five fresh shades plus four colors from the Vivid version, and it's interesting to see how differently the repeated colors (Lapis, Cherry Moon, Mint, Tropical Coral) appear against a cream rather than black background. From bottom to top (in the order worked), the colors are:

• Left strip: Lapis, Hawaiian Sky, Provincial Rose
• Center strip: Sugar Plum, Light Jade, Tropical Coral
• Right strip: Cherry Moon, Mint Condition, Buttercream

There are other differences as well. Somehow, I managed to cast on with the wrong needle size (that's what happens when most of your knitting occurs late at night after a full work day), and by the time I realized my error, I'd completed one full strip. 

Rather than frog and restart, I decided to continue as I'd begun and work a deeper border to offset the slightly smaller dimensions. The end result is actually wider than the first Valere and only one inch shorter, so it was a good solution. (For the record, all the banners are the same size, they just appear to be different due to the camera angle.)

Valere Summer Rainbow Afghan

Pattern: Coming soon!
Yarn: Cotton Fleece (Brown Sheep)
Needles: US 7 (5 mm), US 8 (5.5 mm)
Size: Small / baby
Dimensions: 27 x 35 ins
Yardage: ~630 yards

Playing with fiber and color is such fun, I'm sorely tempted to cast on another to experiment with different combinations. I keep picturing this design worked in various shades of gray, or striped banners against a solid background, or solid banners in a light shade worked with a darker one for the background, or red banners set against a white border and framed in blue, or ... You get the picture.

For now, those color experiments will have to wait. Eager to see how Herlacyn Heatwave plays out, I am (at least for today) motivated to stay focused. We'll see just how long that lasts.

Looking for the pattern? It's been released, and you can click here to buy it now!

Want to learn more about this design? Click here to see the pattern release post.

Seeking ideas for a rainbow project? Check out 7 Cheerful Rainbow Color Combos.

WIP | Valere Summer Rainbow

Knitting time has once again been quite limited, but slowly and steadily progress is occurring. The last time we saw this summery rainbow Valere afghan, it looked like this.

Since then, the strips have been seamed ...

and the afghan body has been assembled. You can also clearly see the jade and mint banners that depleted two favorite greens and temporarily put a planned gradient project on hold.

At this stage, with all the lumps, bumps and curling edges, I always have to remind myself not to panic. The vivid version looked like a hot mess, too, until the borders corrected the curl and blocking eliminated the lumps.

The combination of fresh rainbow shades, cottony feel and light drapey fabric make this the perfect choice for cool summer mornings and evenings. Between that cheery prospect and the fact there are multiple projects standing on the sidelines clamoring for attention, I'm eager to turn this WIP into an FO and get it into the rotation.

Looking for the pattern? It's been released, and you can click here to buy it now!

Want to learn more about this design? Click here to see the pattern release post.

WIP | Still Making Rainbows

The simplicity of the Valere afghan design makes it a fast, fun knit, precisely what I need right now to offset the demands of life and work. It's Memorial Day weekend in the US, so I was sorely tempted to set it aside and whip up something quick for the holiday, but I resisted the urge and focused on making rainbows. 

The last time we looked at this project, the first strip was finished:

Since then, the second one has been completed:

And the third one has been, too:

Like the first Valere, this one features Cotton Fleece (Brown Sheep). To keep things fresh and interesting, I opted for a slightly different rainbow scheme with several muted shades and fewer brights. The off-white background prevents the muted shades from turning muddy and keeps the saturated shades pure and clear. The colors are:

• Strip 1: Lapis, Hawaiian Sky, Provincial Rose
• Strip 2: Sugar Plum, Light Jade, Tropical Coral
• Strip 3: Cherry Moon, Mint, Buttercream

Now that the strips are completed, seaming can commence, and with a little time and luck, the body may be fully assembled before the weekend is over. Then, I can begin tackling the simple border and final finishing steps.

With its soft cottony feel, light background and cheerful rainbow colors, this version of Valere is perfect for summer, so I'm eager to finish it and get it into the active rotation.



Looking for the pattern? It's been released, and you can click here to buy it now!

Want to learn more about this design? Click here to see the pattern release post.

FO | Valere Vivid Rainbow

The last time you saw Valere, my not-so-scrappy rainbow afghan, it was something of a jumbled mess. I was weaving ends and the borders were curling like crazy.

Luckily, blocking worked its transformative power, and now the borders lie flat, the stitches have relaxed and the rumples have disappeared.

For me, this project was all about color, so I kept everything else quite simple, from the triangular banners to the crossed stockinette stitch that creates a subtle texture on the front and plush texture on the back.

The ever-growing pile of Cotton Fleece partials and leftovers from past projects made the yarn choice obvious. Picking the right mix of rainbow shades and placement was a challenge, so I spent many enjoyable hours auditioning different combinations, until I landed on this one:

• Left strip: Lapis, Mint Condition, Cherry Moon
• Center strip: Raging Purple, New Age Teal, Tropical Coral 
• Right strip: Berry, Caribbean Sea, Sunburst

To streamline colorwork and keep the project compact and portable, I used a strip strategy, then framed the piece with a plain, solid border. In these angled shots, the banner sizes and shapes seem to be different, but I assure you they're all the same size and shape.

Valere Vivid Rainbow Afghan
Yarn: Cotton Fleece (Brown Sheep)
Needles: US 8 (5 mm), US 9 (5.5 mm)
Size: Small
Dimensions: 24 x 36 ins
Yardage: ~650 yards


I confess I'm rather taken with the end result, so I can't decide whether to put it into the afghan rotation or hang it on the wall for decoration. What do you think? 



Meanwhile, I'm eager to cast on another, and for better or worse, the stash holds plenty of partials and leftovers, so options abound. Undoubtedly, this will lead to countless hours playing with color combinations and arrangements. I can't speak for you, but for me, color play is just one of the many pleasures of knitting.

Looking for the pattern? It's been released, and you can click here to buy it now!

Want to learn more about this design? Click here to see the pattern release post.

Seeking ideas for a rainbow project? Check out 7 Cheerful Rainbow Color Combos.