'Log cabin' style afghan?

[Captain Catnip]

My dad wants a throw blanket and I think he'd like a log cabin pattern blanket. I think that would look nice with the colors he wants, too. (earthy, woodsy) How difficult are they to make? I watched a video to get an idea, but I can't wrap my head around knitting it.  I think I'm going to try with a dishcloth in that style first just to practice techniques --- does that sound like a good idea?  

[oregonpachey]

Are you referring to this blanket? www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/learn-to-knit-a-log-cabin-blanket

My friend made one and it's easy. Really, a new knitter could certainly do it.

[Captain Catnip]

oregonpachey, Not that exact one, but that style. The ones I am looking at are like one of those squares blown up. The issue I'm having (I haven't started yet, just thinking about it) is the turning and picking up stitches because I am very uncoordinated! I watched a video from DROPS and there were just so many ends and stitches on hold with scrap yarn I'm afraid I'd end up grabbing the wrong pieces.

[aprilsails]

That style of blanket is very easy to crochet if you know how to crochet instead. I find cricket works better for afghans generally since it goes so much faster!

Otherwise, yes, I would suggest you do a small sample. Once you get into it I'm certain picking up stitches will come as second nature, but it is a bit time consuming. You will definitely want to use a yarn that you can block so it lays flat afterwards. I would not use a 100% acrylic for this.

[AJL]

I made a knit log cabin blanket a long time ago. I knit it in garter stitch. I started with the center block and knit it to my desired size then bound off. I picked up stitches on the right side of that block and then knit to the desired size, bound off again. And so on and so on. Does that make sense?

Go check out the book Mason Dixon Knitting. They have really clear and easy to follow instructions on doing a knitted log cabin blanket.

As for yarn fiber, I would work with something that is springy. Don't use cotton (too heavy and it will stretch.) All acrylic will pill after awhile. I like wool blends for a user friendly blanket or you can use super wash wool.