Log cabin blankets and quilts are both traditional and modern - it's an old idea, that never goes out of style! Crocheted versions are wonderful, but usually require lots of color changes - and lots of ends to weave in. By using a self-striping yarn, it's all fun and minimal fuss - introducing the Easy Log Cabin Afghan!

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About the Yarn

I've knitted log cabin style blankets before, but I hadn't crocheted one - the new Lion Brand Textures yarn changed that! It's the perfect pairing. Textures has a lot going on - color changes, a tight twist with a solid thread running throughout. I knew I needed to keep the stitches simple to show off the yarn itself. With the Easy Log Cabin Afghan, you can show off the yarn, and the pattern, without having to change skeins until you run out of yarn! This yarn has been officially discontinued - there are still some skeins of it out there running around, but feel free to substitute with any medium-weight yarn of your choice!

I made the Easy Log Cabin Blanket in a lap blanket/throw size, but you can stop at a baby size, or keep going as big as you like. I've given some estimates of yardage for other sizes below. Be sure to read through the whole blog post before you begin - it's a very simple pattern, but there is a lot of information here!

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Easy Log Cabin Afghan

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US - J, 6.0mm hook - Furls Fiberarts

1040 yds/ 7 skeins Lion Brand Textures (Aran weight; acrylic blend; 149 yds/136 m; 3.0 oz; Colorway: Meadow Flowers)
This yarn is discontinued - please use any 4-Medium weight yarn of your choice!

Finished Size as Shown: 45" x 45" (alternate sizes listed below)

Gauge: 12 sts x 7 rows = 5" in dc

Helpful Links and Video Tutorials

Easy Log Cabin Afghan Tutorial

Crochet Abbreviations

LAYOUT AND YARDAGE ESTIMATE FOR ALTERNATE SIZES:

Please remember that these are only estimates, you may wish to purchase an extra skein when planning your project. And you can print it out for a coloring sheet to plan a multi-colored project!

The pattern for this blanket is almost better explained in words rather than pattern speak - so I've included both a summary of how it works *and* the standard written instructions below. If you have questions on one, consult the other!

SUMMARY:

Start with a square of 12 dc and 7 rows. Then after row 7, instead of turning the piece over as usual, turn the square clockwise (if left-handed, go counter-clockwise) to work along the edges. Work 12 dc along the 7 rows - 2 dc in the side of each of the first 2 rows, 1 dc in the side of the next row, 2 dc in the side of each of the next 2 rows, 1 dc in the side of the next row, and 2 dc in the side of the last row.

Then, work 6 more rows (for 7 total) of 12 sts each. At the end of this seventh row, turn clockwise again (if left-handed, go counter-clockwise). Work 12 stitches in the sides of these rows, just as before, plus 12 more stitches along the bottom of the original square (1 in each stitch). So now you have 24 sts.

Work 6 more rows (for 7 total) of 24 sts each, and then it's time to turn again! And it's going to be the same each time. At the 4th clockwise/counter-clockwise turn, you'll end up working the 12 stitches in the side, plus 12 stitches in the top of the original square, plus 12 more stitches in the side of the second section.

So just keep going like this! Every 2 sections, you'll go up by another 12 stitches total. Work 7 rows every time, and just keep turning. Stop whenever you've got the size you like! To complete the square, you can stop after 5 sections (the first full square), or after any multiple of 4 sections (one complete turn around the blanket) after that.

WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS:

Row 1: Ch 14, skip the 2 chs closest to the hook (do NOT count these as a st), dc in the remaining 12 chs; turn. (12 sts)

Row 2 - 6: Ch 2, dc in each st across; turn. (12 sts)

Row 7: Ch 2, dc in each st across; do not turn work as usual, but turn clockwise (if left-handed, go counter-clockwise throughout) to work along the sides of the last 7 rows. (12 sts)

Row 8: Ch 2, 2 dc in the side of each of the first 2 rows, 1 dc in the side of the next row, 2 dc in the side of each of the next 2 rows, 1 dc in the side of the next row, and 2 dc in the side of the last row; turn. (12 sts)

Row 9 - 14: Repeat Rows 2 - 7.

Row 15: Repeat Row 8, then dc in each remaining st across; turn. (24 sts)

Row 16 - 21: Repeat Rows 2 - 7.

Row 22: Repeat 8 twice. (24 sts)

Row 23 - 28: Repeat Rows 2 - 7.

Row 29: Repeat Row 8, then dc in each of the next 12 sts, then repeat Row 8 again. (36 sts)

Row 30 - 35: Repeat Rows 2 - 7.

Continue in established stitch pattern as above, with the stitch counts for each section of 7 rows as follows. Asterisks mark the points where you can stop the pattern, if you've reached the size desired. Note the patterns - you increase by 12 sts every 2 sections, and you complete a square every 4 sections. See the graphic above for more info.

Row 36 - 42: 36 sts

Row 43 - 49: 48 sts

Row 50 - 56: 48 sts

Row 57 - 63: 60 sts*

Row 64 - 70: 60 sts

Row 71 - 77: 72 sts

Row 78 - 84: 72 sts

Row 85 - 91: 84 sts*

Row 92 - 98: 84 sts

Row 99 - 105: 96 sts

Row 106 - 112: 96 sts

Row 113 - 119: 108 sts*

After 119 rows, or when you've reached the size desired, go to the Edging.

Edging: (do NOT turn after last row)
Ch 2, dc evenly along side as before, working 3 dc in each corner, and continuing around blanket; join and break yarn, weave in ends.

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And that's that! Stop early, keep going, this yarn does all the heavy lifting so you can relax and crochet the evening away. I hope you enjoy crocheting it as much as I did - it was hard to stop!

Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2015, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others.  If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, please visit the About page for details. Thank you to Lion Brand for providing the yarn for this pattern!