We’re so stash-y. We knitters are so clever and resourceful, and we hate to lose even the tiniest bits of our favorite yarn, particularly if it’s a “special” skein, one that was a gift or one that represents a particularly pleasant knit. Lately on Ravelry and on the many podcasts I enjoy watching, I’m seeing these amazing sock yarn blankets pop up. As a by-product, they’ve created cool new “things” like the “mini-skein” and the “mini-skein swap”. Indy dyers are now creating mini-skeins to collect and trade, like these from Whistlestop Vintage Co on Etsy. I find them irresistible.
Ergo, I have piles of those little bits of colorful yarn. Though I’ve been sorely tempted by this type of project, the kind that goes on and on and on, possibly for years, honestly, I’ve found myself cleaning out my stash and finding ancient plastic bags from defunct department stores overflowing with squares, with their sad little tails hanging down and I know it’s never going to happen. It’s the sewing. I am just never going to put all those little things together and weave in all their ends. “If I could find one that didn’t require sewing,” says I to myself, “I’d do it!”
Enter the mitred square.
I have seen this blanket EVERYWHERE in many clever incarnations, some use leftovers, some clearly have a careful color plan. There is a very good tutorial on Craftsy for how to make the squares and includes a couple of options for joining them. Here is the mitred square re-imagined in a glorious stash blanket by Anita Grahn, the Domino Star Stashbuster.
Something I’ve loved for a long time is Elizabeth Zimmerman’s 10-stitch concept. It’s a manner of knitting large items – sweaters, blankets, throws – using only 10 stitches at a time. It is fascinating in its simplicity. Clever Frankie Brown has interpreted EZ’s great un-vention in some really innovative ways.
Brilliant, isn’t it? Who can’t handle 10 stitches at a time with no sewing? Some of you, though, may enjoy the sewing part. My hat is off to you! Your options are nearly limitless. Here are some incredible blankets featuring geometric patches sewn together with love.
Somewhere in between, we have the magical process known as the Three Needle Bind Off. It involves using live stitches (or picking up stitches), then using a pretty standard process of binding them off. There’s a good pictorial tutorial HERE in the Interweave Knits glossary under “T”. Possibly my favorite blanket that uses this method of joining is the Pop Blanket by Tin Can Knits.
My own blanket, the Fair Haven Picnic Blanket, uses this quick and easy join also.
So…I guess it’s time for me to pull out a big basket and start to fill it will tiny skeins. Perhaps I’ll be able to come up with something 😉 Happy Knitting!
Cate
Loved this post. All the beautiful color is so inspirational. I have a friend who knits lovely scarves with all those sock yarn bits. She randomly joins them and then winds them into balls so she is surprised as she knit. 😊
Little Church Knits
I’ve thought of that too! Sounds like so much fun!