Square One
Here's the very first square for the baby blanket. Cara is absolutely right about this log cabin square making stuff -- you can't make just one! Right after I finished this one (and I mean finished -- I even wove in all the ends), I cast on for square 2, which will have a purple center. These make for just about the most perfect mindless knitting. Just garter stitch but garter stitch that leads to a very satisfying result.
I think all that 3-Ply Wool that I brought back from Mountain Colors is likely to end up in a very large single log cabin square. I've turned all those little skeins into balls and I think I am going to just randomly grab balls out of a basket and knit onto the square. The only real question I need to face: how big should the starting square be? Some of my colors don't have much yardage and I'd like to use them more than once. I'm toying with actually just starting with a square that is about 1" x 1" just so that I can see a lot of color changing occurring in the center. Hmmmm...
Beware the one block Log Cabin. I'm still working on mine and it got tedious very quickly the longer the sections became. I find squares SO much more satisfying. Your square is wonderful. The blanket is going to be beautiful.
I second what Cara said. I'm 8 rows away from finishing the body of a Moderne Log Cabin blanket I started in June. It's going to be beautiful, but when the rows get that long and colour changes few and far between there's really no escaping How Much Freakin' Garter Stitch you're knitting.
That said, however, it's a very classy look, and it doesn't seem to mind how much wine you need to drink to keep going. It's quite forgiving that way. ;o)
I just love the color combination you've selected. I'm doing a log cabin blanket out of leftover sock yarn a la Wendy...it will take me years and it will probably be pretty homely, but I still love it irrationally.
My sister-in-law got engaged over the weekend and I was thinking of doing a "moderne" log cabin blanket as a shower or wedding gift. Now to select the colors...
I love the color choices!
Hmmm... sticking with smaller squares would probably work better with the yarn I have available,too. And would allow me to distribute some of the more rare colors a bit more frequently.
Now that I think about it, it also seems like the one large square thing might get a little difficult to move around and store as well. Clearly I have to think about this some more.
Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful commentary!
Ok fine...between you and Cara I am convinced!
I have actually never read up on constructing a log cabin blanket...any suggestions on tutorials or basics?
Yes, I agree with the other comments on the one block log cabin. I made a moderne baby blanket as a throw and it did get quite tedious after a while as the squares got bigger. I love the idea of doing it one square at a time - I think it would keep it interesting. Great color choices in your square, BTW!
I gotta chime in that one big block is a serious undertaking too. I'm making the Moderne Baby Blanket from MDK and I really felt like I would never, ever finish block 9. (108 stitches! 54 garter ridges! 2 colors!)
I did finish it - it's possible! But it's a Commitment.
cheers!
jen
Michelle: the best tutorial, though not free, is in the Mason Dixon book. But I believe that Cara has some very nice references as well on her blog. And if I get a chance, over the holidays, I may talk a little bit more about it on my blog.
I also love the colors you chose. I recently had a go at Veronique Avery's Bear Claw baby quilt...same idea. How does the back of your Log Cabin look? I gave up on the Bear Claw because I was unhappy with the back.
Concerning knitting tedium: I just ignore the laundry, grab a hot chocolate and knit and cry or laugh through a couple of movies from the 1960's. I've even had to frog out an occasional row or two when the star is Marilyn or Cary!
Thanks Theresa, I will head to chapters!
Your colors are really gorgeous.
I started my log cabin (one big square) in September. I hop off and on the project between other, less involved, smaller projects. Believe me - I wish I would have done squares instead of one large square!
I am to afraid to start those log cabins but they are oh SOOO CUTE!!
What wonderful colors! Great idea for a portable project for those long commutes. I've got to get some of that 3-ply, only where in my stash would it fit?
I was looking at the quiviut post in the November archives. Mmmm. Quiviut. I too am Lithuanian (Eckelitis--not too sure of the spelling but I think that's how it got spelled at Ellis Island)on my Dad's side, but only a quarter. Hungarian and Swedish on my Mom's. I take after the Hungarian side in looks, but the knitting gene must surely come from those ancestors from northern climes.