7 Stash-Busting Crochet Blanket Patterns for DK Yarn: Fun and Beautiful Projects to Use Up Your Leftover Yarn

DK yarn has a way of multiplying in your craft stash, doesn’t it? Those leftover balls from previous projects pile up quickly, and before you know it, you’ve got a collection that’s begging to be used.

These seven stash-busting crochet blanket patterns are specifically designed for DK yarn and will help you transform those odds and ends into beautiful blankets that you will love. Each pattern embraces the scrappy nature of working with multiple colors, turning what might seem like a limitation into a creative advantage.

Tips For Choosing Yarn Colors From Your Stash

Before diving into the patterns, let’s talk first about how to choose which colors to use. If your stash is a large one, this might seem like a bit of a daunting task and you might find it difficult to know where to start. However, if you follow this guidance, it should turn into a fun exercise that may produce some surprising and exciting results.

First, spread your DK yarn stash out over a large surface where you can see everything at once. This lets you spot which colors naturally catch your attention and which ones might work together. The floor is absolutely fine for this but make sure the area is well lit. Ideally, you’ll do this step in daylight so you can see the colors as they truly are.

Next, have a think about what you want for the general mood and feel of your blanket. For example, do you want bright, energetic colors or soft, calming tones? You can also blend both approaches for something unexpected.

Quick color selection methods:

• Group similar shades together to see what you have most of
• Pull out colors that make you feel happy or excited
• Test combinations by wrapping small amounts of yarn together
• Take photos to compare and check how different colors interact

Don’t worry about following strict color rules. Stash projects give you the freedom to experiment with combinations you might normally skip.

If you’re stuck between options, you could make a small swatch with a few different colors. This will show you how the yarns actually look when crocheted together, which often differs from how they appear as balls.

Consider the final use of your blanket too. A gift for a friend might use their favorite types of colors, while a living room throw could match your decor. Personal blankets can be as wild or as subtle as you want.

Have a read of this post to learn how crochet designers choose perfect palettes for their blankets, to help refine your selection process. Many experts use simple techniques that work just as well for stash projects.

Finally, trust your instincts when choosing. The best combinations often come from spontaneous decisions rather than overthinking every choice.

Now, let’s have a look at the patterns…

Introducing The 7 Blankets

These seven patterns all offer excellent solutions for using up your DK weight yarn collection. You’ll find options that work perfectly as stash-busting projects when you need to clear out those leftover balls.

The collection includes:

• Row-based designs with easily memorisable stitches for a relaxing project
• Motif patterns where each motif can show off a different color from your stash
• Baby blanket-sized projects, perfect for beloved little ones
• Large throws that transform your yarn stash into cozy home décor
• Fully customizable patterns you can adjust to any dimensions

Your yarn stash doesn’t need to match perfectly for these blankets. Many designs work beautifully with multiple color changes throughout. One pattern even takes stash busting to the next level by having you hold multiple strands of DK yarn together, which means you’ll use up those bits and pieces in no time!

Each blanket can also serve a different purpose. Some finish quickly for gift-giving. Others become long-term projects you chip away at as more yarn makes its way into your stash.

The variety of options means that you can pick based on your current crochet stash buster needs. Maybe you have tons of small amounts in similar colors. Or perhaps you’ve got larger quantities that need combining into one project. You’ll find patterns that handle both situations with ease.

These designs prove that stash-busting doesn’t mean compromising on style or quality. Your finished blanket will look intentional and beautiful, not like a random collection of leftovers thrown together.

1. Canalboat Blanket from Attic24

The Canalboat Blanket works up quickly using a simple 4-row repeat pattern. You’ll find it easy to memorize after just a few rows, making it perfect for mindless crafting while watching TV or chatting with friends.

This design lets you raid your DK yarn stash without overthinking color choices. You can grab skeins randomly and watch unexpected combinations come together as you work through the rows. Try pulling colors from your collection without planning ahead. You might discover combinations you never would have chosen deliberately, giving your finished blanket a unique personality that reflects your yarn collection’s history.

Pattern Features:

• Simple repetitive pattern
• Customizable sizing
• Great for using up lots of different colors
• Relaxing and mindful crocheting

The pattern creates visual interest without requiring complicated stitches or counting. However, the blanket’s straightforward design has just enough variation that you won’t get bored. Each row builds on the previous one in a logical and repeated way, that soon becomes second nature.

You can adjust the final size by working more or fewer repeats. This flexibility makes it ideal for using up odd amounts of yarn that have been sitting in your stash for months or years.

The Canalboat Blanket is available here as a free pattern from Attic24.

2. Super Chunky Rainbow Blanket from Lottie & Albert

The Super Chunky Rainbow Blanket pattern creates a thick, cozy blanket by holding six strands of DK yarn together. You’ll work with all six strands at once, which gives the finished piece a wonderfully chunky texture that works up really fast.

The design produces a knitted-looking texture, even though you’re crocheting. Plus, when you combine multiple yarn colors, you get beautiful multicolored effects throughout your blanket. Each stitch creates rich depth because of the strand count.

You’ll need a 20mm crochet hook for this project. The Super Chunky Rainbow Blanket pattern includes helpful guidance on preparing your materials before starting.

What makes this pattern special:

• Uses six strands held together simultaneously
• Creates a thick, warm finished blanket
• Works up much faster than standard DK projects
• Produces unique textured appearance that looks like knitting
• Perfect for blending multiple yarn colors from your stash

The pattern includes instructions for making your own six-stranded yarn ball before you begin. This preparation step makes the actual crocheting process smoother since you won’t wrestle with six separate skeins while working.

This blanket works well for stash-busting because you can mix different DK weight yarns together. Try combining various colors you already own to create custom multicolored combinations. The chunky nature of the finished piece means small color variations blend together nicely.

The quick-working nature of this pattern makes it satisfying for crocheters who want to see fast progress. You’ll be amazed at how rapidly your blanket grows with each row.

The Super Chunky Rainbow Blanket pattern is available here.

3. Super Stars Blanket from Catherine Crochets

The Super Stars Blanket features hexagon motifs with eye-catching star designs at their centers. Each star is created using tapestry crochet, which adds bold visual interest to every piece.

You can customize this blanket in several ways:

• Keep the same background color throughout all motifs for a cohesive look
• Mix different background colors for a scrappy, eclectic style
• Choose bright, playful colors for children or opt for muted tones for a sophisticated adult blanket

The pattern includes join-as-you-go instructions, so you won’t need to sew dozens of hexagons together later. You get two different joining methods to pick from, each designed to suit different preferences.

Video tutorials accompany the pattern to walk you through the key techniques. These help especially with the tapestry crochet sections and the joining methods.

This design works wonderfully for using up your DK yarn stash since each hexagon doesn’t require much yarn. The star motifs give you a chance to play with color combinations you might not normally try together. Kids typically love the star shapes and bright possibilities, but don’t let that stop you from making one in grown-up colors.

The Super Stars Blanket pattern is available here.

4. Neon Fizz Throw from Red Sparrow Crochet

The Neon Fizz Throw brings a fun, modern twist to mosaic crochet. This pattern creates eye-catching bubble shapes that pop against the background color.

What Makes This Pattern Special

You’ll learn mosaic crochet technique while working on this blanket. The instructions are written clearly, making it perfect if you’ve never tried this method before.

Yarn and Color Options

Although the original design uses two colors, you can easily adapt it to work through your DK yarn stash:

• Choose one solid color for the background
• Use multiple stash colors for the bubble pattern
• Use your yarn stash to create a gentle fade through the bubbles over the blanket
• Mix and match leftover yarns to create a unique look
• You could use a range of dark colors for the background and light colors for the bubbles (or vice versa!)

Project Details

Mosaic crochet works differently to regular crochet. You only work with one color per row, which makes color changes simple. The bubble pattern emerges from how you place your stitches.

This throw works great for using up partial skeins. Each bubble section doesn’t require much yarn, so you can switch colors whenever a skein runs out, even partway through a bubble.

The pattern teaches you mosaic techniques step by step. Don’t worry if the first few rows feel tricky—the rhythm becomes natural very quickly.

The finished blanket looks complex but uses straightforward techniques. Your friends won’t believe how easy it was to make.

You can find the Neon Fizz Throw pattern here.

5. Waltz of the Flowers Blanket from Catherine Crochets

The Waltz of the Flowers blanket pattern will transform your DK yarn scraps into a garden of hexagonal motifs. Each hexagon features a textured flower at its center, created using tapestry crochet techniques that make the petals pop off the surface.

You can raid your stash for any floral color combinations you like. Each flower could be unique!

Mix pastels for a spring garden look, or choose bold jewel tones for something more dramatic.

The hexagons work up quickly and let you see your yarn collection turn into something beautiful.

Key Features:

• Hexagonal motifs that fit together perfectly
• Tapestry crochet with post stitches creates dimensional flowers
• Join-as-you-go construction saves finishing time
• Video tutorials guide you through new techniques

The Waltz of the Flowers Blanket uses a join-as-you-go method. This means you connect each hexagon as you crochet its final round, eliminating the need to sew everything together later.

The texture in this pattern comes from the post stitches used in the tapestry crochet flower centers. This technique traps unused yarn colors behind your work while switching between colors to create the floral design. The post stitches give each hexagon a raised, almost three-dimensional quality.

Each flower center can be a different color combination. You might use five different pink shades, or mix purples with yellows and oranges.

The pattern includes video tutorials that walk you through the tapestry crochet sections, making it accessible even if these techniques are new to you.

You can find the Waltz of the Flowers Blanket pattern here.

6. Woodland Ripple from Attic24

The Woodland Ripple Blanket brings a classic wave pattern with a peep-hole twist to your DK yarn stash. This design features gentle peaks and valleys that create visual movement across your blanket.

The Woodland Ripple Blanket pattern has clear instructions with step-by-step photos that work for beginners and experienced crocheters alike. You can follow along without confusion.

Pattern Features:

• Free
• Adjustable to any size
• Works with random stripe colors
• Simple repetitive stitches
• Clear instructions

The ripple stitch creates a soothing rhythm as you work. Each row builds on the last with increases and decreases that form the signature wave shape.

You can organize your DK yarn scraps in several ways for this project. Random colored stripes give a scrappy, eclectic look. A gradient fade transitions smoothly from one shade to another. Rainbow order arranges colors across the spectrum.

The pattern’s flexibility means you control the final dimensions. Make a small baby blanket or keep going until you have a king-sized throw. Your yarn stash determines the finished size.

This makes an ideal TV-watching project. The repetitive nature doesn’t require constant pattern checking once you understand the rhythm. You’ll find yourself relaxing into the waves as rows add up quickly.

The woodland color scheme originally featured greens, browns, and creams. But your stash colors will create something uniquely yours. Mix pastels, brights, or neutrals based on what you have available.

You can find the free Woodland Blanket pattern here.

7. A Spicier Life from Cherry Heart

The Spicier Life sampler blanket gives you the perfect chance to work through your DK yarn stash while learning new stitches. Each section teaches you different stitches and patterns, so you’ll never get bored.

The design features multiple blocks that showcase various crochet stitches. You’ll practice everything from basic textures to more intricate designs. This makes it ideal for building your skills while creating something beautiful.

Pattern Features:

• Multiple stitch combinations across different sections
• Worked in rows
• Works well with any color palette you choose
• Clear, easy-to-follow instructions for each row
• Great for using up odd amounts of DK yarn

The sampler format means you can take breaks between sections without losing momentum. Each new part brings fresh interest to your project so you’ll stay engaged from start to finish.

Your finished blanket will have visual depth thanks to the variety of textures created by the different stitches. The A Spicier Life Blanket works beautifully whether you go bold with contrasting colors or subtle with tonal shades.

Find the Spicier Life Blanket pattern here.

Summing Up

You now have plenty of DK yarn blanket patterns to pick from when you’re ready to tackle that yarn stash. Each design brings something different to the table, whether you want stripes, granny squares, or textured stitches.

The beauty of stash-busting projects is that you don’t need to stick to one colorway. You can mix and match what you already own. DK weight yarn works perfectly for blankets because it’s not too thick and not too thin.

These patterns give you options for different skill levels:

• Beginner-friendly: Simple stripes and basic stitches
• Intermediate: Granny squares and color changes
• Advanced: Complex stitch patterns and intricate designs

You can start your stash-busting journey with any of these blankets. Pick the one that matches your skill level and the colors you have on hand. Some patterns use up yarn faster than others, so consider how much you need to clear out.

Remember that DK yarn creates cozy blankets without the weight of bulkier options. Your finished project will drape nicely and work for multiple seasons.

The patterns covered here should spark ideas for using up those partial skeins sitting in your craft room. You don’t need to buy new yarn when you have perfectly good options already waiting. Grab your hook and start working through that stash one row at a time.

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