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Log Cabin Table Runner, designed and hooked by Norma Batastini, Glen Ridge, New Jersey, 2000.

If you’re having trouble understanding the relationship between light, dark, and medium values, and the role that they play in rug design, take a close look at this log cabin quilt block pattern. Its strong, graphic design translates beautifully into hooked loops, and it’s a fantastic way to devour a stash of leftover strips.

The log cabin block has many pattern variations depending on the placement of colors. I chose Sunshine and Shadow for this table runner. The yellow down the center of the rug represents the sun, and the dark green on either side represents the shadows. Most log cabin quilt designs include a “chimney,” or red center square to signify the warmth of home and hearth.

Value Trumps Color

The basic element of Sunshine and Shadow is four 3” squares put together to form a 6” x 6” block. Each square is divided in half to form two triangles, and each square has a chimney in the middle. The design includes 48 squares (96 triangles) that form 12 blocks. These 12 blocks are dominated by the dark green in the center triangles.

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