Log Cabin Square Knitting Pattern
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When you’re like me and you absolutely love to knit garter stitch (knitting on both Right Side and Wrong Side of fabric in rows), knitting log cabin squares is a no-brainer. They are worked entirely in garter stitch and are constructed by working a small square in the middle and then rotating the piece to pick up and knit stitches on each side.
I love knitting squares like this - they are perfect small projects that are the perfect use for leftover yarn. I don’t know about you, but I always I have a large pile of acrylic worsted weight yarn in my stash, the remains of projects of the past. I had quite a bit of KnitPicks Brava in the stash, so that’s that I’ve used for this log cabin square.
Basic Knit Log Cabin Square
The above photo shows how a basic log cabin square builds. This is a basic square where I’ve worked around the center square on each side. The beauty of this technique is that you can continue to build on this one square - you could even make an entire log cabin square blanket! You simply continue picking up and knitting stitches on each subsequent side and knit the desired number of rows.
Below you’ll find instructions on how work this basic square. It’s written for 5 colors, but feel free play around with color. You can make yours using any number of colors you like. I’ve made my square with leftover 100% acrylic worsted weight yarn and a US Size 7 [4.5 mm], 16” circular needle. The square took a total of about 55 yards of yarn.
Instructions
With Color 1, CO 10 sts.
Center - Color 1
Work in garter stitch (knit all sts every row) for 19 rows, ending on a WS row—10 garter stitch ridges on RS.
Note: You may find it helpful to use a locking stitch marker to mark RS of work.
Next Row(RS): BO 9 sts—1 st rem on right needle.
Cut Color 1.
Side 1 - Color 2
Next Row (RS): With RS-facing, rotate work 90-degrees clockwise, and with Color 2 pick up and knit 9 sts in between garter ridges on left edge of piece—10 sts.
Work in garter stitch (knit all sts every row) for 19 rows, ending on a WS row—10 garter stitch ridges on RS.
Next Row(RS): BO 9 sts—1 st rem on right needle.
Cut Color 2.
Side 2 - Color 3
Next Row (RS): With RS-facing, rotate work 90-degrees clockwise, and with Color 3 pick up and knit 9 sts in between garter ridges on side edge and then pick up and knit 10 sts in CO edge—20 sts.
Work in garter stitch (knit all sts every row) for 19 rows, ending on a WS row—10 garter stitch ridges on RS.
Next Row(RS): BO 19 sts—1 st rem on right needle.
Cut Color 3.
Side 3 - Color 4
Next Row (RS): With RS-facing, rotate work 90-degrees clockwise, and with Color 4 pick up and knit 19 sts in between garter ridges along edge of piece—20 sts.
Work in garter stitch (knit all sts every row) for 19 rows, ending on a WS row—10 garter stitch ridges on RS.
Next Row(RS): BO 19 sts—1 st rem on right needle.
Cut Color 4.
Side 4 - Color 5
Next Row (RS): With RS-facing, rotate work 90-degrees clockwise, and with Color 5 pick up and knit 9 sts in between garter ridges alongside edge of piece, pick up and knit 10 sts in BO edge, pick up and knit 10 sts in between garter ridges—30 sts.
Work in garter stitch (knit all sts every row) for 19 rows, ending on a WS row—10 garter stitch ridges on RS.
Finishing
BO all sts loosely on RS.
Color Color 5 and weave in all yarn ends. Steam block lightly if desired.
Abbreviations
BO: bind off
CO: cast on
rem: remain(s)
RS: Right Side
st(s): stitch(es)
WS: Wrong Side
You can see a full list of abbreviations for my patterns here.
Want more log cabin square fun? Check out my free with email sign up Summer Vibes Dishcloth from The Knitting Circle.
