Crochet Log Cabin

Tension Swatch, The Importance of the First Square

It is vital that the first square is square. Once it has been completed, measure this square to make sure that all sides are the same. Treat your initial square as a tension swatch and if a rectangle has been produced, try the yarn again with a different hook size until a square is created.

This is important, as it ensures that there is consistency in the number of rows in each “patch” of the afghan.

Instructions

Yarn: DK weight yarn

Hook: 3.5mm (US 4 or E), or the size needed to create a square first panel.

Using your first colour, make 11 chain. (blue in the illustration)

Starting in the 2^nd chain from the hook, work 1 double crochet (dc - US single crochet or sc) into each chain to end (10sts)

Next and following nine rows: 1ch, work 1dc into each stitch to the end. Fasten off at the end of the last row.

Second Piece

(cream in the illustration)

Join your new yarn to a corner stitch of the first square. Make 1 chain. Work a dc into each row end (10 sts). Turn, and complete in the same way as the first piece.

Third Piece

(Red in the illustration)

Join your new yarn to a corner stitch of the second piece. Work a dc into each row end of the 2^nd piece and into each stitch of the 1^st piece (20 sts in total).

Turn and complete in the same way as the first piece.

Fourth Piece

(Grey in the illustration)

Join your new yarn to a corner stitch of the third piece. Work a dc into each row end of the third and first pieces (20 sts in total).

Turn and complete in the same way as the first piece.

Continue in this way, working into row ends or stitches as necessary, and working ten rows for each piece.