A Log Cabin Blanket is such a satisfying way to use leftover yarn. It is simple, intuitive and easy to pick up whenever you feel like adding another strip.

This recipe is based on the blanket I have been knitting with Cushy DK leftovers, along with leftover fingering-weight yarn held double. Using DK-weight yarn makes this a flexible scrappy project, because you can also use fingering-weight leftovers by holding two strands together.

To do this, hold two different fingering-weight yarns together, or use one ball of yarn and hold the strand from the outside of the ball together with the strand from the centre. This creates a DK-like weight and gives you even more options for using up your stash.

You can plan your colours carefully, or choose each strip as you go. A few repeated colours can help bring everything together, while small colour pops can freshen up the palette you already have.

If your leftovers need a little lift, our Colour Pop Bundles are designed for exactly this kind of project. Each bundle includes a light, mid-tone and dark shade to mix in with your stash, adding contrast, balance and a little extra colour play as your blanket grows.

Planning a Simple Palette

Before you begin, take a little time to look through your leftover yarn.

You might already have a natural palette forming. Perhaps you have lots of warm colours, cool colours, soft neutrals, brights, earthy shades or deeper moody colours.

Choosing a loose palette can help your blanket feel balanced, while still keeping the project playful and scrappy.

You might like to begin by sorting your leftovers into simple groups:

Warm colours, such as pinks, reds, oranges, golds and warm browns.

Cool colours, such as blues, greens, purples and blue-greys.

Neutrals, such as cream, grey, beige, brown and soft natural shades.

Colour pops, such as bright, deep or unexpected colours you might like to add for contrast.

Once you can see what you have, choose a few colours to guide the blanket. You do not need to plan every strip. A simple direction is enough.

For example, you might choose a soft neutral palette with a few bright pops, an earthy palette with one fresh contrast colour, or a mostly cool palette with small touches of warmth.

This is also a good time to notice which colours you have the most of. Larger amounts can be useful for longer strips, internal borders or the final border. Smaller amounts can be used for short strips, stripes or little colour pops.

You can also add texture by including a fluffy yarn, bouclé, suri silk, mohair or another special leftover from your stash. These little changes in texture can add softness, interest and a lovely handmade feel to the blanket.

Adding Colour, Stripes and Borders

Once you have a loose palette in mind, you can begin choosing colours as you go. You might keep the blanket completely scrappy, work within a simple colour mood, or add a few gentle rules to give the blanket more structure.

For this sample, the same colour used in the centre rectangle is repeated every 3 rounds to create internal borders. This colour will also be used again for the final border, helping to tie the whole blanket together.

Here are a few ideas you might like to try.

Colour Pops

Add a bright or unexpected colour every now and then.

A colour pop works especially well beside softer leftovers, neutrals or darker shades. You only need a small amount to bring energy and contrast to the blanket.

Tonal Rounds

Choose colours that sit close together, such as soft pinks, greens, blues or warm neutrals.

Working several tonal strips in a row can create a calmer section within the blanket and give the eye somewhere to rest.

Light, Medium and Dark

Try mixing light, medium and dark colours as you go.

A darker strip can add depth, a lighter strip can soften the blanket, and a mid-tone can help connect colours that feel very different from each other.

Striped Sections

Instead of working each strip in one colour, try using two colours within the same strip.

Knit a few rows in one colour, then change to another colour before binding off. This is a good way to use very small amounts of leftover yarn.

Repeating a Favourite Colour

If the blanket starts to feel too busy, repeat a favourite colour in a few places.

This can help balance the overall look and make the project feel more intentional, even when you are using lots of different leftovers.

Yarn

Skein Cushy DK leftovers, or other DK weight yarn.

You can also use fingering-weight yarn held double.

Yarn amounts will vary depending on the finished size of your blanket. This recipe is designed for using leftovers, so you can keep adding yarn as your blanket grows.

If you would like to work the final border and i-cord edge in one colour, allow at least 1 full skein of DK-weight yarn for this. If you would also like to use this colour for internal borders throughout the blanket, as shown in the sample, allow 2 skeins of this colour.

Needles

4mm (US 6) circular needles, or size needed to create a fabric you like.

Finished Size

Finished size is completely adjustable. Continue adding strips until your blanket is the size you would like.

Gauge

Gauge is not critical for this project. Choose a needle size that gives you a soft, comfortable fabric. 

Notes

This blanket is worked in garter stitch.

Each strip is picked up along one edge of the blanket, knitted, then bound off before turning the work and beginning the next strip.

Change colours as often as you like. This is a great project for leftovers, minis, samples and small amounts of yarn from past projects.

You do not need each strip to be perfect. The beauty of this project is in the colour play, the leftovers and the gradual building of the blanket.

Blocking can help settle the stitches and even out the shape of your blanket. Gently wash, lay flat and shape as needed.

Abbreviations

CO: cast on
BO: bind off
K: knit
PU and K: pick up and knit
RS: right side
WS: wrong side
Sts: stitches
K2tog tbl: knit 2 stitches together through the back loop

Pattern

Centre Rectangle

CO 25 sts.

Knit 40 rows (20 garter stitch ridges).

BO all sts and cut yarn.

Set Up

Strip One

Turn work 90 degrees.

Row 1: With RS facing and using a new colour, PU and K 20 sts along the side edge of the centre rectangle.

Row 2: Knit.

Continue in garter stitch, knitting every row, until you have worked 12 rows in total.

You can also count the garter ridges instead of the rows. Two rows form one garter ridge, so each strip will have 6 garter ridges.

RS: BO all sts and cut yarn.

Strip Two

Turn work 90 degrees.

Row 1: With RS facing and using a new colour, PU and K 6 sts from the previous strip, then PU and K 25 sts along the centre rectangle. (31 sts)

Row 2: WS: Knit.

Continue in garter stitch until you have 6 garter ridges in this strip, counting the picked-up row as the first row (12 rows total).

RS: BO all sts and cut yarn.

Strip Three

Turn work 90 degrees.

Row 1: With RS facing and using a new colour, PU and K 6 sts from tlthe previous strip, then PU and K 20 sts along the next edge of the centre rectangle. (26 sts)

Row 2: WS: Knit.

Continue in garter stitch until you have 6 garter ridges in this strip, counting the picked-up row as the first row (12 rows total).

RS: BO all sts and cut yarn.

Strip Four

Turn work 90 degrees.

Row 1: With RS facing and using a new colour, PU and K 6 sts from the previous strip,  PU and K 25 sts along the edge of the centre rectangle, then PU and K 6 sts along the edge of Strip One. (37 sts).

Row 2: WS: Knit.

Continue in garter stitch until you have 6 garter ridges in this strip, counting the picked-up row as the first row (12 rows total).

RS: BO all sts and cut yarn.

The centre section is now complete.

Main Blanket Section

Turn work 90 degrees.

Row 1: With RS facing and using a new colour, PU and K 6 sts from the previous strip, PU and K each bound-off stitch from the next strip, then PU and K 6 sts from the top of the next strip.

Row 2 WS: Knit.

Continue in garter stitch until you have 6 garter ridges in this strip, counting the picked-up row as the first row. (12 rows total).

RS: BO all sts and cut yarn.

Repeat this section three more times to complete one full round.

Continue working in this way, turning the blanket 90 degrees after each strip, until your blanket is the size you would like.

Final Border

For a simple finish, work the final four strips in the same colour.

This creates a frame around the blanket and helps bring all the colours together.

Optional I-Cord Edge

Using a contrast colour, or the same colour as your final border, PU and K stitches evenly around the entire blanket. Break yarn

With RS facing, attach yarn and cast on 3 extra stitches onto the left needle using a cable cast on method.

*K2, K2tog tbl, then slip the 3 stitches from the right-hand needle back to the left-hand needle.**

Repeat from * to ** until all picked-up stitches have been worked and 3 i-cord stitches remain.

BO the remaining 3 stitches.

Join the i-cord ends neatly and weave in ends.

Give your blanket a gentle block if needed.

Share Your Blanket

If you cast on a scrappy log cabin blanket, we would love to see it.

You can share your project on Ravelry and link it to the Scrappy Log Cabin Blanket recipe, or tag us on Instagram so we can see your colours coming together.

Add your project on Ravelry so others can see your colour choices too.

This is such a lovely project to make your own, whether you keep it completely scrappy, plan a simple palette, add internal borders or include a few colour pops along the way.