Note: I slip first st on each row, as if to purl & with yarn in front, then take yarn to back to work rest of row. This makes a nice edge, and is very easy to pick up stitches along.
Center Square:
Cast on 5 stitches. Knit 11 rows (5 ridges plus 1 more row)
Put these stitches on a spare length of yarn, and turn work 90
degrees.
Log 1:
Pick up 5 sts along this edge (former left edge of work with the right
side facing you).
Knit 5 ridges plus 1 more row.
Put these stitches on a spare length of yarn, and turn work 90
degrees.
Log 2:
Pick up 10 sts along this edge
Knit 5 ridges plus 1 more row.
Put these stitches on a spare length of yarn, and turn work 90
degrees.
Log 3:
Pick up 10 sts along this edge.
Knit 5 ridges plus 1 more row.
Put these stitches on a spare length of yarn, and turn work 90
degrees.
Log 4:
Pick up 15 sts along the edge (center 5 of these will be waiting on
holder).
Knit 5 ridges plus 1 more row.
Put these stitches on a spare length of yarn, and turn work 90
degrees.
You have just finished the first set of logs-your work will be a square at this point.
Log 5:
Pick up 15 sts along the edge as before.
Knit 5 ridges plus 1 more row.
Put these stitches on a spare length of yarn, and turn work 90
degrees.
Log 6:
Pick up 20 sts along the edge as before.
Knit 5 ridges plus 1 more row.
Put these stitches on a spare length of yarn, and turn work 90
degrees.
Continue in this manner until cloth is the desired size. Add logs in
sets of 4 so that the finished piece will be square. Each log will have
a multiple of 5 sts, picked up along the side of a previous log or from
a holder. Each set of 2 logs in sequence will have the same number of sts.
Bind off in purl from the right side, or put applied I-cord all the
way around.
Work until cloth is the size you like-I like them about 8" square. This looks nice in one color, but it is also a great way to use up scraps. I like to use one color (like red) for the central square, then 2 dark logs followed by 2 light logs to mimic a Log Cabin Quilt.