Log cabin skirt Novita Nalle, Nalle Taika, Nordic Wool and Baby Merino
Swatches worked with the log cabin technique make up this amazing skirt. All in all, it takes 122 square swatches, plus a few triangles for shaping.
Designer
Sisko Sälpäkivi
Size(s)
S/M(L/XL)
Finished dimensions
waist approx. 72(90) cm / 28¼(35½) in length at middle front 63(72) cm / 24¾(28¼) in
Yarn demand
Novita Nalle (010) Off White <150(150) g, (061) Linen 150(150) g and (694) Bark 100(150) g Nalle Taika (815) Brush 150(150) g Nordic Wool (509) Icy Flower 100(100) g and Baby Merino (326) Silver Willow 50(100) g
Needles and other supplies
Double-pointed needles Novita 2½-3 mm (UK 11-12½ / US 1½-2½) or size needed for gauge; for half pieces and the waist border a 2½-3 mm circular needle (60 cm / 24 in or 80 cm / 32 in) Other supplies Light-coloured skirt zipper, 20 cm (8 in)
Finished dimensions
waist approx. 72(90) cm / 28¼(35½) in length at middle front 63(72) cm / 24¾(28¼) in
Stitch pattern
- Garter stitch: knit all rows.
- Log cabin blocks: work garter stitch following the instructions.
Gauge
Log cabin block approx. 9 cm x 9 cm (3½ in x 3½ in)
Log cabin block A
Work in garter stitch. See layout plan for direction of knitting.
1. Starting square: using Barkcast on 5 sts and work 5 rows. Break yarn.
2. Switch to Icy Flower and work 6 rows. Leave the sts on hold on the needle.
3. On the WS move the yarn to the left end of the needle. Using a free needle pick up and knit 3 sts from the left edge of the work (previous piece) and 5 sts from the starting square = 8 sts. Work 5 rows, break yarn and leave the sts on hold on the needle.
4. Switch to Silver Willow. Pick up 3 sts from the left end (previous piece) and 5 sts from the starting square = 8 sts. Work 5 rows. The yarn is now at the right end.
Move the yarn to the left end: *slip 2 sts, bring yarn to front, slip 1 st, bring yarn to back*, repeat *-* to end of row.
5. Using a free needle pick up 3 sts from the edge of previous piece, 5 sts from the starting square and 3 sts from the other piece = 11 sts. Work 5 rows and break yarn.
6. Switch to Off White. Using a free needle pick up 3 sts from the left edge of the previous piece, knit the 5 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts = 11 sts. Work 5 rows, then move the yarn to the left end as established at 4.
7. Pick up 3 sts from the previous piece, knit the 8 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts = 14 sts. Work 5 rows and break yarn. Leave the sts on hold.
8. Switch to Brush. Pick up 3 sts from the previous piece, knit the 8 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts = 14 sts. Work 5 rows, then move the yarn to the left end as established at 4.
9. Pick up 3 sts from the previous piece, knit the 11 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts = 17 sts. Work 5 rows and break yarn.
10. Switch to Linen. Pick up 3 sts from the previous piece, knit the 11 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts = 17 sts. Work 5 rows, then bind off all but the last st.
11. Pick up 2 sts from the previous piece (1 st already on the needle), knit the 14 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts from the other piece = 20 sts. Work 5 rows and bind off all but the last st. Bind off the last st using the next colour.
12. Switch to Bark. Pick up 2 sts from the previous piece (1 st already on the needle), knit the 14 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts from the other piece = 20 sts.
Work 5 rows and bind off all but the last st.
13. Pick up 2 sts from the previous piece, knit the 17 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts = 23 sts. Work 5 rows and bind off.
Knit a total of 45(61) blocks in this manner.
Log cabin block B
Work like block A but using the following colours:
1. Starting square: Brush. 2-3: Icy Flower. 4-5: Silver Willow. 6-7: Linen. 8-9: Bark. 10-11: Off White. 12-13: Brush.
Knit a total of 45(61) blocks with this colour scheme.
Assembling of A and B blocks
Steam the blocks lightly and weave in.
Assemble the blocks following the diagram. Sew the blocks together using overcast seaming (whip stitching). Insert the needle through the edgemost loops only.
Triangle C (see diagram)
Using Off White pick up and knit 23 sts (back loops) from the edges of both squares and 1 st from the middle = 47 sts. Knit the WS row. On the next row k2tog through back loop, k20, k3tog, k20, k2tog = 43 sts. Knit the WS row. Next row: k2tog through back loop, k18, k3tog, k18, k2tog = 39 sts. Knit the WS row.
Switch to Linen and continue decreasing as established. 4 sts decreased on each RS row, 2 sts less between the decreases after each time (16, 14, 12, etc.). Work 6 rows with Linen and 6 rows with Icy Flower, then use Brush for the rest of the piece. Securely weave in.
Knit a total of 7(9) pieces in this manner.
Small triangle D (see diagram)
Using Off White pick up 23 sts from the adjoining block and knit the WS row. At the right end k2tog through back loop and at the left end k2tog. Decrease in this manner until you run out of sts. Stripe as triangle C. Securely weave in.
Knit a total of 2(0) pieces in this manner.
Triangle E (see diagram)
Using Linen pick up and knit 23 sts (back loops) from the edges of both squares and 1 st from the middle = 47 sts. Knit the WS row. On the next row k2tog through back loop, k20, k3tog, k20, k2tog = 43 sts. Knit the WS row. Next row: k2tog through back loop, k18, k3tog, k18, k2tog = 39 sts. Knit the WS row.
Switch to Off White and continue decreasing as established. 4 sts decreased on each RS row, 2 sts less between the decreases after each time (16, 14, 12, etc.). Work 6 rows with Off White and 6 rows with Icy Flower, then use Bark for the rest of the piece. Securely weave in.
Knit a total of 3(0) pieces with these colours.
Triangle F (see diagram)
Using Brush pick up and knit 23 sts (back loops) from the edges of both squares and 1 st from the middle = 47 sts. Knit the WS row. On the next row k2tog through back loop, k20, k3tog, k20, k2tog = 43 sts. Knit the WS row. Next row: k2tog through back loop, k18, k3tog, k18, k2tog = 39 sts. Knit the WS row.
Switch to Bark and continue decreasing as established. 4 sts decreased on each RS row, 2 sts less between the decreases after each time (16, 14, 12, etc.). Work 6 rows with Bark and 6 rows with Silver Willow, then use Brush for the rest of the piece. Securely weave in.
Knit a total of 6(7) pieces with these colours.
Small triangle G (see diagram)
Using Brush pick up 23 sts from the adjoining square. Knit the WS row. At the right end k2tog through back loop and at the left end k2tog. Decrease in this manner until you run out of sts. Stripe as triangle F. Securely weave in.
Knit a total of 2(2) pieces with these colours.
Triangle H (see diagram)
Using Bark pick up 23 sts (back loops) from the edges of both squares and 1 st from the middle = 47 sts. Knit the WS row. On the next row k2tog through back loop, k20, k3tog, k20, k2tog = 43 sts. Knit the WS row. Next row: k2tog through back loop, k18, k3tog, k18, k2tog = 39 sts. Knit the WS row.
Switch to Brush and continue decreasing as established. 4 sts decreased on each RS row, 2 sts less between the decreases after each time (16, 14, 12, etc.). Work 6 rows with Brush and 6 rows with Silver Willow, then use Bark for the rest of the piece. Securely weave in.
Knit a total of 0(4) pieces with these colours.
Finishing
Sew the middle back seam (marked in red in the diagram), leaving an approx. 20 cm long slit for the zipper.
Border: Using Linen and the circular needle pick up sts from the top edge of the piece. Start from the right end. Pick up 40(40) sts from both slanted sections at the ends and 19(17) sts from each log cabin block = 156(182) sts. Work 3 rows in garter st. On the next row evenly decrease 10(16) sts =146(166) sts. Work 3 more rows in garter st, then bind off.
Sew on the zipper.
Lightly steam the skirt.
Finished dimensions
waist approx. 72(90) cm / 28¼(35½) in length at middle front 63(72) cm / 24¾(28¼) in
Stitch pattern
- Garter stitch: knit all rows.
- Log cabin blocks: work garter stitch following the instructions.
Gauge
Log cabin block approx. 9 cm x 9 cm (3½ in x 3½ in)
Log cabin block A
Work in garter stitch. See layout plan for direction of knitting.
1. Starting square: using Barkcast on 5 sts and work 5 rows. Break yarn.
2. Switch to Icy Flower and work 6 rows. Leave the sts on hold on the needle.
3. On the WS move the yarn to the left end of the needle. Using a free needle pick up and knit 3 sts from the left edge of the work (previous piece) and 5 sts from the starting square = 8 sts. Work 5 rows, break yarn and leave the sts on hold on the needle.
4. Switch to Silver Willow. Pick up 3 sts from the left end (previous piece) and 5 sts from the starting square = 8 sts. Work 5 rows. The yarn is now at the right end.
Move the yarn to the left end: *slip 2 sts, bring yarn to front, slip 1 st, bring yarn to back*, repeat *-* to end of row.
5. Using a free needle pick up 3 sts from the edge of previous piece, 5 sts from the starting square and 3 sts from the other piece = 11 sts. Work 5 rows and break yarn.
6. Switch to Off White. Using a free needle pick up 3 sts from the left edge of the previous piece, knit the 5 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts = 11 sts. Work 5 rows, then move the yarn to the left end as established at 4.
7. Pick up 3 sts from the previous piece, knit the 8 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts = 14 sts. Work 5 rows and break yarn. Leave the sts on hold.
8. Switch to Brush. Pick up 3 sts from the previous piece, knit the 8 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts = 14 sts. Work 5 rows, then move the yarn to the left end as established at 4.
9. Pick up 3 sts from the previous piece, knit the 11 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts = 17 sts. Work 5 rows and break yarn.
10. Switch to Linen. Pick up 3 sts from the previous piece, knit the 11 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts = 17 sts. Work 5 rows, then bind off all but the last st.
11. Pick up 2 sts from the previous piece (1 st already on the needle), knit the 14 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts from the other piece = 20 sts. Work 5 rows and bind off all but the last st. Bind off the last st using the next colour.
12. Switch to Bark. Pick up 2 sts from the previous piece (1 st already on the needle), knit the 14 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts from the other piece = 20 sts.
Work 5 rows and bind off all but the last st.
13. Pick up 2 sts from the previous piece, knit the 17 sts on the needle, pick up 3 sts = 23 sts. Work 5 rows and bind off.
Knit a total of 45(61) blocks in this manner.
Log cabin block B
Work like block A but using the following colours:
1. Starting square: Brush. 2-3: Icy Flower. 4-5: Silver Willow. 6-7: Linen. 8-9: Bark. 10-11: Off White. 12-13: Brush.
Knit a total of 45(61) blocks with this colour scheme.
Assembling of A and B blocks
Steam the blocks lightly and weave in.
Assemble the blocks following the diagram. Sew the blocks together using overcast seaming (whip stitching). Insert the needle through the edgemost loops only.
Triangle C (see diagram)
Using Off White pick up and knit 23 sts (back loops) from the edges of both squares and 1 st from the middle = 47 sts. Knit the WS row. On the next row k2tog through back loop, k20, k3tog, k20, k2tog = 43 sts. Knit the WS row. Next row: k2tog through back loop, k18, k3tog, k18, k2tog = 39 sts. Knit the WS row.
Switch to Linen and continue decreasing as established. 4 sts decreased on each RS row, 2 sts less between the decreases after each time (16, 14, 12, etc.). Work 6 rows with Linen and 6 rows with Icy Flower, then use Brush for the rest of the piece. Securely weave in.
Knit a total of 7(9) pieces in this manner.
Small triangle D (see diagram)
Using Off White pick up 23 sts from the adjoining block and knit the WS row. At the right end k2tog through back loop and at the left end k2tog. Decrease in this manner until you run out of sts. Stripe as triangle C. Securely weave in.
Knit a total of 2(0) pieces in this manner.
Triangle E (see diagram)
Using Linen pick up and knit 23 sts (back loops) from the edges of both squares and 1 st from the middle = 47 sts. Knit the WS row. On the next row k2tog through back loop, k20, k3tog, k20, k2tog = 43 sts. Knit the WS row. Next row: k2tog through back loop, k18, k3tog, k18, k2tog = 39 sts. Knit the WS row.
Switch to Off White and continue decreasing as established. 4 sts decreased on each RS row, 2 sts less between the decreases after each time (16, 14, 12, etc.). Work 6 rows with Off White and 6 rows with Icy Flower, then use Bark for the rest of the piece. Securely weave in.
Knit a total of 3(0) pieces with these colours.
Triangle F (see diagram)
Using Brush pick up and knit 23 sts (back loops) from the edges of both squares and 1 st from the middle = 47 sts. Knit the WS row. On the next row k2tog through back loop, k20, k3tog, k20, k2tog = 43 sts. Knit the WS row. Next row: k2tog through back loop, k18, k3tog, k18, k2tog = 39 sts. Knit the WS row.
Switch to Bark and continue decreasing as established. 4 sts decreased on each RS row, 2 sts less between the decreases after each time (16, 14, 12, etc.). Work 6 rows with Bark and 6 rows with Silver Willow, then use Brush for the rest of the piece. Securely weave in.
Knit a total of 6(7) pieces with these colours.
Small triangle G (see diagram)
Using Brush pick up 23 sts from the adjoining square. Knit the WS row. At the right end k2tog through back loop and at the left end k2tog. Decrease in this manner until you run out of sts. Stripe as triangle F. Securely weave in.
Knit a total of 2(2) pieces with these colours.
Triangle H (see diagram)
Using Bark pick up 23 sts (back loops) from the edges of both squares and 1 st from the middle = 47 sts. Knit the WS row. On the next row k2tog through back loop, k20, k3tog, k20, k2tog = 43 sts. Knit the WS row. Next row: k2tog through back loop, k18, k3tog, k18, k2tog = 39 sts. Knit the WS row.
Switch to Brush and continue decreasing as established. 4 sts decreased on each RS row, 2 sts less between the decreases after each time (16, 14, 12, etc.). Work 6 rows with Brush and 6 rows with Silver Willow, then use Bark for the rest of the piece. Securely weave in.
Knit a total of 0(4) pieces with these colours.
Finishing
Sew the middle back seam (marked in red in the diagram), leaving an approx. 20 cm long slit for the zipper.
Border: Using Linen and the circular needle pick up sts from the top edge of the piece. Start from the right end. Pick up 40(40) sts from both slanted sections at the ends and 19(17) sts from each log cabin block = 156(182) sts. Work 3 rows in garter st. On the next row evenly decrease 10(16) sts =146(166) sts. Work 3 more rows in garter st, then bind off.
Sew on the zipper.
Lightly steam the skirt.
