Monday, June 25, 2007

Hip to be Square

I have a large basket that I use to store all yarn leftovers that I deem worth keeping. Things end up in the basket based on one or two criteria. The first criteria is the quantity left over. If there is enough yarn left after a project is completed to work into another project - into the basket it goes. The second criteria is simple - if I think the yarn is special in some way, I save the leftovers.

I noticed that the most common yarn in the leftovers basket were small balls of sock yarn. Most of the leftover balls aren't big enough to make one project - but if put them together I knew I'd be on to something. The only thing is that I wanted to keep it simple.

I figured a blanket of some type out of the scraps would be a reasonable idea. So I knit up some simple squares. The squares in the picture are all blocked to be 7 inches square. The nice thing is that they didn't take very much yarn at all and they were quick to knit.

The bottom two squares are from leftover Opal yarn and each square weighs about 12 grams. I've still got enough leftovers of those colors for another square each. The top left square is Koigu KPPPM and took 16 grams of yarn to complete. The center square is Socks That Rock medium weight and weighs in at a hefty 26 grams.

I'm just not sure I like the large squares. I originally thought about making squares in a much smaller size so the blanket would be similar to a postage square/charm quilt. If I ever do opt for that idea, I'll knit strips of garter ridge squares so that there is much less seaming.

Whatever I end up doing, sock yarn is will definitely make a light weight blanket. I'll wait until I get a blanket's worth of squares before I decide on how to put them together. I'm thinking that the heavier weight squares might need to be put into a separate blanket. Maybe I'll just do a small lap sized blanket with the large squares and then start a blanket based on my original idea.

21 comments:

Bezzie said...

I like this idea!!

IrishGirlieKnits said...

Great idea!!! Love the squares so far!

I've been thinking of doing another log cabin blanket with all my left over STR...well, more like a very long WIP...as I finish one project, knit a strip with that leftover yarn, etc. A crazy colored memory blanket of favorite projects, etc. Of course, haven't gotten around to it yet. The squares is a fabulous idea!

Anonymous said...

The squares look great and the idea sounds good. It would be a good way to remember all your yarns. You could start an exchange with other knitters - kind of like they do with quilt squares. Set some perameters for size and weight and see what you get.

Knitting in Pink said...

That's a great idea. I love the idea of an exchange like mom said.

Sue J. said...

What a great idea for leftover yarn. I was thinking of doing mitered squares in leftover sock yarn. I think I like your squares better.

Jessica said...

Good idea. Your squares look great. Where did you get the pattern for the squares?

Unknown said...

All the squares are beautiful. Will you group them by color too?

Deb said...

What a great idea. Those squares are so pretty. Just love 'em!!

Stephanie said...

Love the squares! Tell us more. How many stitches did you cast on for each type of yarn? It would be great to have sort of a general idea of what to aim for stitch wise since you already told us how many grams you used. And how did you knit the squares? In the round? From the outside in or inside out?

Sorry if I'm being a pain! I'm pretty much a blanket/squares addict these days. Right now I am doing enormous mitred squares where I start out with 244 sts in DK weight.

Zonda said...

Great idea! Lovely squares there! I was thinking as I was looking, well that colorway was those and that one was that..etc.

Stacey said...

what a neat idea! I have bunches of leftover sock yarn, but I'm not sure I have the patience to knit a blanket!

Monika said...

Oh my, those are great! I love them, I want to do them as well! I love squares, and you used such nice colors. Whatever you'll do, it will be phenomenal!

Jacque said...

As my ladybug would say "you're a genius!" I wanted to stop by and say hi. Y'know your blog is still my favorite happy place for color. Your tastes in color are really the happiest around!

lynnm said...

I love this idea! I have so many sock yarn scraps waiting to be used for soemthing.

smelk-o-matic said...

I am doing this same thing - except my squares have that blasted hole in the middle...did you just cinch it up?

Smiles,
Erin

Batty said...

I love the idea! Some of my leftovers will eventually become insanely colorful socks, but squares are a great option for the heavier weights.

cpurl17 said...

those squares are great!! What I think about doing someday you actually do! I admire your knitting!!

Anonymous said...

I think these squares will make a gorgeous blanket--I esp. love that STR one!

Margot said...

What a great idea! They're all so beautiful. It'll be nice to have a lightweight blanket. So many times I find myself pulling sweaters ans/or blankets off and on again because it's too cold without it and too warm with it on. A light afghan will be perfect for those days!

Anonymous said...

What a great idea; I may have to steal it.

Sally Anderson said...

I love this idea, too. I have a blanket-thing happening. My slog-along is a log cabin that's just not happening right now. But my mitered squares are fabulous and wonderful and I dream of them! How do you do a square w/ 4 miters? I wouldn't have the slightest idea how to do that. Mine are from the MDK book and just have the one. Would you mind emailing me with the instructions? I'm at sba13221 at flash dot net. I would love to be able to do a whole square like that! Thanks. --Sally