How to knit a log cabin blanket
A basic log cabin blanket block knit with leftover DK weight yarn on 4mm needles.
One of the things I love most about log cabin blankets is that you really are free to knit them however you like. Once you have the basics of the construction sorted out you can freestyle to your hearts content. They can be used to stashbust and use up scraps or you can purchase to fit a particular design - the choice is yours. This tutorial will show you how to knit a square log-cabin block which is the building block for most types of log cabin blanket construction.
To start with you need to knit a central patch - garter stitch is by far my preferred stitch for this as the squares lie flat and don't roll. I have seen spectacular log cabin blankets knit in seed stitch but that's a a level of commitment I'm really not prepared for.
BLOCK 1
Cast on 15 stitches and knit 30 rows and then cast off - you will have 15 garter ridges. If it helps, stick a bulb or safety pin into the right side to help you although technically at this stage but sides are the same. If you get into the habit of slipping the first stitch purlwise (with the yarn in front) this creates a neat slipped stitch edge and will make the job of picking up stitches later so much easier.
Starting block 2 - with stitches picked up along the side of block 1
BLOCK 2
With colour 2 (green, here) align block 1 with the right side up and the cast on edge towards you. Pick up and knit 15 stitches along the left hand side of block 1. Knit 29 rows - the pick up and knit row counts as 1 row - until you have 15 garter ridges. Cast off.
Starting block 3 - with stitches picked up along the side of block 2 and the cast on edge of block 1
BLOCK 3
With right side facing and colour 3 (light brown), pick up and knit 15 stitches along the left hand side of block 2 and then 15 stitches along the cast on edge of block 1 (30 stitches in total). Knit 29 rows - 15 garter ridges then cast off.
BLOCK 4
With right side facing and colour 4 (pale green), pick up and knit 15 stitches along the left hand side of block 3, and the other side of block 1. Knit 29 rows, Cast off. Spotting a pattern yet?
BLOCK 5
With colour 5 (gold), pick up and knit 15 stitches along the left hand side of block 4, 15 stitches along the cast off edge of block 1 and 15 stitches across the other side of block 2 (45 stitches in total). Knit 29 rows. Cast off.
This completes your first full block and you’ll see that block 1 is fully enclosed by the surrounding 4 blocks.
You can now continue in the same manner, always remembering to turn the work 90 degrees clockwise. You pick up stitches along the side of the block just worked and across to the end of the piece, adding more blocks as you go. You can keep going until the blanket is the desired size or you run out of yarn.