Have a basket overflowing with leftover yarn? Put those odds and ends to good use with a colorful crochet scrapghan! These crochet scrapghan patterns are a fun way to turn yarn scraps from past projects into a cozy, one-of-a-kind blanket.
Whether you love classic granny squares, colorful stripes, or mixing and matching crochet motifs, there are so many ways to create a beautiful scrap yarn afghan. Best of all, no two scrapghans are ever quite alike!
What Is a Scrapghan?
If you’re new to the term scrapghan, it’s exactly what it sounds like—an afghan made from leftover yarn scraps.
Scraps + afghan = scrapghan!
Instead of buying all new yarn for a blanket, you use the leftover skeins and partial balls you’ve collected from other projects. You can follow a specific pattern, create your own color combinations, or make individual squares and join them together.
Why Make a Crochet Scrapghan?
There are so many reasons I love the idea of making a scrapghan!
- Use up leftover yarn. Turn those partial skeins and small balls of yarn into something useful and beautiful.
- Get creative with color. Experiment with combinations you might never have chosen for a planned project.
- Try new stitches and techniques. A scrapghan is a great opportunity to practice new crochet patterns.
- Remember past projects. I love the idea of looking at a finished blanket and remembering the projects—and sometimes the special occasions—that each yarn came from.
And of course, there’s something satisfying about making a cozy blanket from yarn you already have!
Tips for Making a Scrap Yarn Afghan
Before you start, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Group yarns by weight. Using yarns of similar thickness will help keep your stitches and blanket more consistent. If you’re combining different yarn weights, try holding thinner strands together or adjusting your hook size to maintain an even fabric.
- Choose a color approach. Go completely random, alternate light and dark colors, or use one coordinating color to tie everything together.
- Consider your yarn fibers. Mixing cotton, wool, and acrylic can affect the finished blanket’s texture, stretch, and washing instructions.
- Save even small scraps. Short lengths can be useful for granny square rounds, small motifs, or decorative accents.
- Weave in ends as you go. With lots of color changes, those yarn ends can add up quickly!
Crochet Squares and Motifs for Scrapghans
You don’t have to follow one blanket pattern from beginning to end. Another fun option is to crochet individual squares or motifs whenever you have leftover yarn, then join them together into a colorful afghan.
For another fun way to use up leftover yarn, try my Cluster Burst Granny Square Pattern. I originally designed these little squares for a scrapghan project, and they’re perfect for mixing colors and using up smaller amounts of yarn. The pattern also includes a stitch diagram to help you along!
Here are a few of my favorite motifs to get you started:
Mix and match motifs, or make an entire blanket from one favorite design. Either way, it’s a wonderful way to turn those leftover bits of yarn into something special!
Free Crochet Scrapghan Blanket Patterns
There are so many free crochet afghan patterns that work beautifully with leftover yarn.
Two of my favorites are a classic granny square blanket and a colorful granny hexagon blanket. Both are perfect for using different yarn colors as you go.
If you enjoy experimenting with stitches, striped blankets and sampler afghans are also great choices.
I’ve gathered some of my favorite scrap-friendly crochet blanket patterns below to give you plenty of inspiration.
Patterns pictured, clockwise from the top: Granny Hexagons, Vintage Wobble Afghan, Happy Colours Blanket, Classic Granny Square Afghan, Blackberry Salad Striped Baby Blanket, Granny Square Sampler, Groovy-ghan, Modern Mitered Granny Square.
More Scrapghan Patterns to Try
Still looking for the perfect scrapghan project? Here are even more crochet afghan patterns to inspire you, from textured blankets and colorful motifs to creative stash-busting designs. Each offers another fun way to put leftover yarn to good use!
- Beatrice Ryan Designs CAL Afghan
- Bobbly Flower Hexagon
- Autumn Warmth Afghan Square
- Yo-Yo Scrap Afghans
- Wool Eater
- Ribbon Afghan
- Floral Fiesta
- Fantasy Blanket
- Scrapbusting Lapghan
Whether you make a traditional granny square blanket or experiment with a completely new design, a scrapghan is a wonderful way to give leftover yarn new life. Gather your scraps, choose a pattern, and have fun seeing how all those colors come together!
I’m in.
I’d like to make a large (king size bed) blanket with a five pointed granny. It will be continuous with variegated yarn. How many skeins would I need? And is there a trick to creating five points? It would look like a star on the bed.
Hi Joan 🙂 I am not sure how many you would need for a blanket like that. The idea of this crochet along is to use up the scraps and little balls you have leftover from other projects so we really won’t be talking about yardage.
I’m in, I’ll have pictures soon.
Let’s go!
Yes, definitely! I have TWO BAGS of scraps all ready for this project!! Good timing, indeed!! 😉
Count me in on the crochet a long!
Yes, definitely!!! I’ve got TWO BAGS full of scraps, just waiting for this project! Great timing indeed!!!! 😉
Sounds like fun and I’ve been trying to get started on an afghan….have done scarves, hats, cuddly animals, etc…and even a couple of pillow covers in living room (LOVE, love, love Attic 24’s “Blooming Pillow” and have done that one…so an afghan it is!
Will be flying cross-country in a couple of days, may try to do some work while in the air….have to think ahead, though, since I can’t have my handy scissors to clip yarn and change colors…any suggestions?
No scissors! I hadn’t thought of that … do they let you bring nail clippers?? I will be sharing the pattern for the granny blanket I am working on if you want to give that a go. Have a safe trip!
You can bring scissors if the blades are less then 4 in. Think kids safetynscisdord
Yarn cutter pendant would work i think!
Is this something that is simple enough for someone who has never crocheted could do?
That may be a challenge. Perhaps you would like to work your way through my Learn to Crochet series here and then join us … http://www.petalstopicots.com/learn-to-crochet/
OK TY
Sounds Great! have a load of scraps!