Laura's Loop: Half Log Cabin Ombre Blanket

When Whitney first spotted Cascade's Eco Cloud, the array of un-dyed colors instantly reminded her of Joelle's Ombre Blanket from Last Minute Knitted Gifts which beautifully highlights the variety of hues that exist in nature. Inspired by the Joelle's blanket and this new sumptuous yarn, the idea for another blanket was quick to come.

There are few patterns that can be applied to the craft of knitting and quilting as elegantly as the Log Cabin. It is classic yet modern and endlessly adaptable, and because of this it is a favorite here at Purl Soho. We think it's the perfect form to showcase Eco Cloud's richness.

In order to maximize the ombre effect of Eco Cloud's subtle shades, I shook things up a bit and decided on a Half Log Cabin. I started with the lightest color and worked through nine skeins in nine colors, watching the transition from Cream to Ecru to Fawn, all the way to Dove Grey. Seeing the colors interact was endlessly entertaining. I could have kept working on this blanket, continuing the gradation from light to dark and back again. It is such a flexible pattern in that way, yet another attribute of the Log Cabin. 

Finished Measurements

• Approximately 30-inches wide x 48-inches long

Gauge

• 18 stitches and 18 ridges = 4-inches in Garter Stitch

Materials

• Cascade's Eco Cloud, (70% Un-dyed Merino, 30% Un-dyed Alpaca; 164 yards) 9 skeins, one of each color. Used in the following order: Cream, Ecru, Fawn, Buny, Doe, Otter, Wild Dove, Charcoal, Dove Grey
• US size 9, 32-inch Circular Needle. We all agreed this blanket was knit quite densely, so feel free to jump up to a US size 10. The finished size will jump up a bit too! 

The Pattern

The simplicity of a Half Log Cabin pattern makes knitting this blanket incredibly enjoyable. For a photo tutorial on how to do the Log Cabin technique take a look at Whitney's Log Cabin Washcloths. Just remember, this blanket pattern is a Half Log Cabin, so where in a Full Log Cabin you always rotate your work, in a Half Log Cabin, at points you will be flipping your work.

To begin, simply cast on however many stitches you want (I started with 60 stitches). Knit every row until you are nearly finished with your first skein, finishing with a wrong side row. Make sure to leave enough yarn for binding off, about four times the width of your knitted piece. On the right side, cast off all but the very last stitch. Cut your yarn.

Rotate your work clockwise, 90 degrees. Move the remaining stitch from your right needle to your left. Knit the remaining stitch with your new color. Continue to pick up and knit one stitch through each ridge of garter. Once again, knit every row until your skein has nearly run out, finish with a right side row, leave enough yarn for casting off. On the wrong side, cast off all but the last stitch. Cut yarn.

This time, instead of rotating your work, you will flip your work. Move the remaining stitch from your right needle to your left. Knit the remaining stitch with your third color. Pick up and knit one stitch through each ridge and then each stitch until you get to the corner. Knit every row until you are nearly out of yarn, finishing with a wrong side row. On the right side, cast off all but the last stitch. Cut your yarn.

Rotate your work clockwise, 90 degrees. Knit the remaining stitch with your fourth color. Pick up and knit one stitch through each ridge and then each stitch until you get to the corner. Knit every row until you are nearly out of yarn, finsihing with a right side row. On the wrong side, cast off all but the last stitch. Cut your yarn.

Flip your work. Move the remaining stitch from your right needle to your left. Knit the remaining stitch with your fifth color. Pick up and knit one stitch through each ridge and then each stitch until you get to the corner. Knit every row until you are nearly out of yarn, finsihing with a wrong side row. On the right side, cast off all but the last stitch. Cut your yarn.

Continue in this fashion for all nine skeins. When you near the end of the last skein, cast off all stitches, weave in your ends and enjoy! --Laura

Comments

[eva vercauteren]

I've only just started knitting, but seeing this blanket makes me want to make it right now. I really like how you go from light to dark.

[Ruth]

Oh how I love the new header! And the blanket is fabulous colours.

[dcarver]

You knocked it out of the park with this one! It is genius! It is a mix of Bahaus and Amish ingenuity! Great design!

[mbb.]

this is just awesome - we're moving into a new flat this summer, and my list of to-makes gets longer and longer...!

[pam g.]

love it and love the colors

[c.m.]

LOVE IT!

[Janet B]

This is the perfect blanket. I can't wait to get started. I love that it has the old fashioned log cabin quilt design but also looks very contemporary!

[Bea]

This is beautiful. I don't knit, but I can see using that design to make a throw from reclaimed cashmere sweaters from the thrift shop.

[DKerr]

Lovely.

[Nicola]

Oh i am absolutely love it, it is gorgeous.!

[flaky]

This is beautiful. I love the upgrade to the old traditional afghan on the back of the sofa.

[MaryAlice]

This blanket is really nice. It inspires me to spin some more of my various colored fleeces to see if I can make a similar one. Thanks very much.

[melissa lester]

Can you tell me the dimensions of the first rectangle? I think mine is too wide, and blanket will be really long and skinny if I keep going.

Thanks!

melissa

[margaret]

Can you please clarify a direction in this pattern? After knitting block number two, the direction to "flip" the work puts the knitter on the wrong side of the blanket. To pick up and knit stitches on the wrong side puts a line of the old color on the front of the blanket. How is this supposed to work?
Thank you,
Margaret

[Purl Bee]

Hi Margaret. You are completely right. As the pattern is written, picking up for the third, fifth and seventh color will create a line of the second, fourth and sixth colors on the right side. If you would like to avoid this... rather than leaving the last stitch live, cast it off. Do not flip your work. And pick up with the new color on the right side. I hope this helps! -Laura

[Christine]

Lovely - I could curl up in it right now!

[Cosyplay]

My mom always personalize our things in our room because she wanted that our belongings is designated to each of her daughter.Just like our blanket and pillow case which have first letter of our names.

[Hope]

I wondered if you could give me the colors you used in numbers. That is how they are identified on the ball band and also on Cascade's website. I'm not having any luck finding the names of the colors as you have listed them in your pattern. Thanks for any help.
Hope
P.S. LOVE your website!!

[purl bee]

Hi Hope-

We have all of these colors available in our webstore here along with their numbers: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8065-Cascade-Yarns-Eco-Cloud

Thank you!

Molly

[Hope]

Thank you, Molly for getting back to me w/ that info
Hope

[Hope]

Hello again. I am having a little trouble figuring out how to flip the work when adding the 3rd color and pick up the stitches and have my pickup ridge be on the wrong side of the blanket.

[purl bee]

Hi Hope.
The pick up ridge is going to show on every other new color you start. So in the end there isn't really a 'wrong side' and 'right side' of the blanket because both have pick-up ridges.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Laura

[Hope]

ok thanks.
hope

[Girly Knitter]

Ive never knit a blanket before, and I'm terrible at making things the right size! I have an unusual gauge and I was planning on using a different yarn, which would make "knit to the end of the skein" unreliable. So i was wondering how many garter ridges are in each piece? Thanks in advance. I REALLY want to knit this blanket!!!!!!!!

[purl bee]

Hello Girly Knitter.

Thanks for writing in. Unfortunately right now, I do not have the blanket in front of me. My best advice would be to make sure to use the proper needles to get the gauge correct. The beauty of this blanket is that the pattern is so loose. If your blocks are a bit larger or bigger it is ok. You can always continue adding blocks until you are happy with the size.
Thanks,
Laura