Okay, this is going to sound weird, but there is a way to have an ever-expanding blanket, made from scraps, that you may never have enough of. I made one that was large enough to cover a king-sized bed. It just keeps expanding. Every time you have another fresh pile of scrap yarn, you just add to it. It’s an easy pattern, and it’s so pretty, you may never have enough. The beauty is in the simplicity. So here goes:

ch 22

Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc across. 21 dc.ch 2, turn.

Rows 2-11: dc across. ch 2, turn.

Row 12, or Row 1 again, rotate work 90 degrees to the left, and dc across in the sides of the previously worked square.

Rows 13-24(also known as 2-11) Repeat as Rows 2-11.

Rotate work 90 degrees. Repeat rows 1-11.

Rotate work 90 degrees. Repeat Rows 1-11.

When you realize there’s a break in the square, sc it together using this joining method:

sc in front, sk 1 st, sc in back, sk 1 st, repeat.

Now, repeat the process. You’ll have lots of fun with this one, as all you have to do is rotate each square 90 degrees to the left of the previously worked square. You may notice that on the 3rd row corners, you have to fill in the gaps with another square. You have options on how you wish to do this. You can make a 21st x 11r square, and sc it in, using the proper joining method, or you can begin it on the previously worked square, as if you had not had a “goof” at all. Either way, every 3rd row will have this problem. I can’t seem to get away from it, though you can bet I have tried, numerous times.  I have made lapghans, baby blankets, humongous bed-sized blankets, and doll blankets with this pattern.

I’m assuming you know that when going from one yarn to the next, you make half a normal dc, release the old yarn, and pull up a loop with the new yarn and continue the work. Then you simply hold the yarn ends to the top of the previous row as you dc over it. This hides all yarn ends, as well as preventing unraveling in the future.