A knitted remnant blanket can take many forms as it is limited only by the imagination! Remnants can be either scraps of previously knitted material or scraps of leftover yarns. One type of knitted remnant blanket involves adding new knitted pieces to an old knitted piece, such as the salvaged remains of a childhood baby blanket. Another type of remnant blanket is one knitted from all sorts of different colors and types of yarn leftover from past knitting projects and/or bought on sale.
Much like the idea of a patchwork quilt, where leftover yarn remnants, first knitted into geometric shapes or strips, can be attached together to make a knitted remnant blanket that is both useful and beautiful. The knitted pieces can be large or small, and open and lacy or thick and chunky or any combination of those. Some knitters prefer to tie the yarn remnant ends together and knit the whole blanket on circular needles. Others like the flexibility of knitting easily-totable squares that can be done anywhere such as a doctor's office waiting room or on public transportation.
A knitted remnant blanket is not only resourceful, creative, and practical, it makes a great gift too! A new blanket made from knitting new pieces and attaching them around a cherished baby blanket makes a great 'going away to college' gift. You can even make an easy knitted remnant blanket by using a simple knitted dishcloth pattern, with all different sized needles and all different types of yarn, to make blanket squares to sew together.
Knitting with recycled yarn is another way to make a knitted remnant blanket. For example, yarn made from recycled silk can produce a knitted remnant blanket with an elegant rustic texture that has the effect of soft streaks of color throughout. Natural fiber yarns can be much more expensive than acrylic yarns, but give a very unique look to interior decor. Handspun yarns are likely to snag easily, but that can add to the rustic look.
When using many different textures of yarns in a knitted remnant blanket, it is usually best to limit the use of color. On the other hand, if only one type of yarn is being used in a knitted remnant blanket, many different colors and/or many different knitting stitch patterns can be used to add interest. The sky is the limit, but some time should be spent planning how the knitted remnant blanket will look before starting it.
It is usually best to collect a few yarn remnants, think of how to use them, and then prepare to start your knitted remnant blanket. Additional balls of yarn can be bought inexpensively from sale bins at yarn shops or at thrift stores. Some people even cut and hem pieces of old knit sweaters, bought at second hand stores or found in closets, to use in an unique knitted remnant blanket. Leftover yarn scraps not only make great knitted remnant blankets, but wonderful pillows, scarves, doll clothes, and dog sweaters as well.