So I've finally done it...I've given in and started knitting a sock yarn scrap blanket.
I've seen these around ever since I started knitting, but I never really understood the appeal. I mean, making a big blanket from sockweight yarn? Those knitters must be crazy! Well, I guess I'm one of the crazy ones now.
A couple of weeks ago, I gathered up all of my fingering weight scraps, and I was a little surprised by how many I had. Not just from socks, but also from a couple of shawls and cowls. Then I read this blog post and it got me even more excited about the idea.
Yesterday I cast on (using this pattern) and after three attempts, I had my first little square! (Three attempts because I kept forgetting to slip stitches at the beginning of the rows...not because the pattern is hard. It's actually super easy.) It was so adorable that I kept going and a couple of hours later, I had four squares and a new addiction. :)
Obviously I don't have enough scraps for even a tiny blanket. But most of my leftovers are enough to make at least two squares, and of course I'll gather more scraps as I finish more projects. And you know those little mini skeins you can buy? Yeah...never saw any use for those, either, and now I find myself browsing Etsy for them. (Yes, I remember I'm not supposed to be buying any yarn until the fiber festival next month. So far, so good.)
I love the idea of using up my leftover yarn! I kept enough of each yarn to darn socks with, but the rest of it would just be going to waste. It seems that sock yarn blankets are more practical (and more fun) than I realized...
With this monthly sock challenge, I'm accumulating quite a pile of little balls of sock weight yarn. I'll have to start thinking about starting a scrap blanket myself, soon!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your blanket! I'm looking forward to seeing grow. :)
You should start a blanket, too! :) It's a lot more enjoyable than I expected. Thanks! I'm sure I'll be sharing progress pictures pretty often. :)
DeleteI don't know what I want to do with my leftovers from all my socks. I've got a nice little collection. I've made a few mini sick sachets (just search that on Rav and the pattern should come up), but I have more after making them! Maybe I should start a blanket, then knit scrap socks out of the rest...
ReplyDeleteOops! Sorry for rambling! Your blanket looks amazing, Kristin! I can't wait to see your progress!
I love the idea and look of scrap socks, but hate the idea of weaving in all of those ends. :) I guess it really wouldn't be more ends than with the blanket, though...
DeleteThanks! :)
Yay for starting a blanket! And thank you for mentioning my post. You are lovely.
ReplyDeleteNow, I don't know if anyone has let you in on this secret but...mini skeins do not count as yarn purchasing. At least that is what I tell myself.
If you would like some socks yarn scraps I would be more than happy to send some your way. :) I will send you a PM on Ravelry.
Thank you for inspiring me to start one! :) This comment made me smile because over the past couple of days, I've been trying to tell myself the same thing: that mini skeins don't count as yarn purchases. (I'm going to a yarn shop later this week and I think they sell them.) Ha, we knitters can justify anything, can't we?
DeleteI answered your message on Ravelry, but yes, I would be so thankful for some scraps!
Kristin, I blame you. I read your post and Andi's and that did it for me. It's all over...
ReplyDeleteI think madness has set in when you're casting on when you should be sleeping and then you realize... I just knit a whole square. There's no turning back now...
My yarn budget is shot.
Ha. :) I would say I'm sorry, but I'm really not. I'm glad someone else got sucked in like I did! My blanket has more than doubled in size since I wrote this post.
Deleteyay so cool! you could also join in a few swaps to grow your stash of minis! I've been trying very hard to resist buying minis on Etsy lol, even though that means accepting your blanket will grow less quickly!
ReplyDeleteI had thought about joining a swap, but the only thing is that I don't actually have many extra scraps to swap! I don't mind duplicate squares, because I like being reminded of projects that I've knitted...so I'm going to try to mostly use my own scraps but occasionally supplement with mini-skeins. :)
DeleteI'll admit that I ordered a mini-skein grab bag (of 5) from Gnome Acres today. I justified it because I went to a yarn shop yesterday intending to buy a few, but they didn't have any. Also, I've been wanting to try Gnome Acres yarn for a long time. :)
wow, it sounds crazy to me. fingering weight yarn is so tiny :P maybe one day. I need more scraps.
ReplyDeleteCrazy...maybe. (Definitely.) But it's still incredibly addictive and it makes me feel good to use up scraps! :) You could do a blanket from worsted weight scraps, too, as long as you use the same weight yarn throughout the project.
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