Mint Center Log Cabin Crochet Hot Pad Free Pattern

Introduction

This Mint Center Log Cabin Crochet Hot Pad is a wonderful first project for anyone who has mastered single crochet and wants to try something with a little more shape and color play. It begins with a small mint square and grows outward in alternating lavender and mint strips, just like a traditional log cabin quilt block, giving it that cozy farmhouse look so many of us love in the kitchen. Worked in dense single crochet and joined double-thick, the finished pad is sturdy, heat-resistant, and satisfyingly squishy in the hand. At 8 inches square it is the perfect size for resting a hot pan, a casserole dish, or a fresh batch of cookies.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn, approximately 100 yards total — 50 yards mint and 50 yards lavender. Cotton is recommended because it handles heat well and does not melt.
• Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a stitch marker (optional) to mark corners.
• Finished size: 8 inches x 8 inches square.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• st(s) – stitch(es).
• Rnd – round: a row worked in a circle around the outer edge.

Gauge

16 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch in single crochet and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if you have too many or too few stitches.

Tips Before You Start

• Make two identical squares — the pad is double-thick, so you will repeat the entire center-and-logs sequence twice.
• Keep your tension even on the edge stitches where you pick up along the sides of the center square; this keeps the logs straight and square.
• Always join a new color at the corner indicated so the spiral of logs stays neat and the color changes hide in the seam.
• Cotton can shrink slightly, so avoid very hot water when washing; a cool hand wash and air dry keeps the pad flat.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Center Square (Mint) — Make 2

Row 1: Ch 10, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (9 sc).

Rows 2-9: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (9 sc). Do not fasten off. Change to Lavender.

Log 1 (Lavender, right edge)

Row 1: Ch 1, turn, work 9 sc evenly along right edge of center square (9 sc).

Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (9 sc). Fasten off Lavender.

Log 2 (Mint, top edge)

Row 1: Join Mint at top right corner of center square, ch 1, work 12 sc evenly along top edge (9 sc for center + 3 sc for Log 1) (12 sc).

Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (12 sc). Fasten off Mint.

Log 3 (Lavender, left edge)

Row 1: Join Lavender at top left corner, ch 1, work 15 sc evenly along left edge (12 sc for Log 2 + 3 sc for center) (15 sc).

Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (15 sc). Fasten off Lavender.

Log 4 (Mint, bottom edge)

Row 1: Join Mint at bottom left corner, ch 1, work 18 sc evenly along bottom edge (15 sc for Log 3 + 3 sc for center) (18 sc).

Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (18 sc). Fasten off Mint.

Log 5 (Lavender, right edge)

Row 1: Join Lavender at bottom right corner, ch 1, work 21 sc evenly along right edge (18 sc for Log 4 + 3 sc for Log 1) (21 sc).

Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (21 sc). Fasten off Lavender.

Log 6 (Mint, top edge)

Row 1: Join Mint at top right corner, ch 1, work 24 sc evenly along top edge (21 sc for Log 5 + 3 sc for Log 2) (24 sc).

Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (24 sc). Fasten off Mint.

Log 7 (Lavender, left edge)

Row 1: Join Lavender at top left corner, ch 1, work 27 sc evenly along left edge (24 sc for Log 6 + 3 sc for Log 3) (27 sc).

Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (27 sc). Fasten off Lavender.

Log 8 (Mint, bottom edge)

Row 1: Join Mint at bottom left corner, ch 1, work 30 sc evenly along bottom edge (27 sc for Log 7 + 3 sc for Log 4) (30 sc).

Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (30 sc). Fasten off Mint.

Joining the Two Squares

Rnd 1: Place the two squares together with wrong sides facing. Join Lavender in any corner, ch 1, sc through both layers around the entire perimeter, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Edging

Rnd 1: Join Lavender in any corner, ch 1, sc in each st around, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Once both squares are complete, align them with wrong sides facing so the right sides of the log cabin pattern face outward on both sides. Join with the Lavender single crochet round as described, working through both layers and placing 3 sc in each corner to keep the corners crisp and square. Work the final Lavender edging round around the outside. Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side, trimming close to the fabric. Block lightly by misting with water and pinning to an 8-inch square, then let it dry flat to even out the edges.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the lavender for a soft sage or cream to create a different farmhouse palette while keeping the same log cabin layout.
• Add a hanging loop by chaining 12 and slip stitching back to the corner before the final edging round.
• Use a contrasting color for the joining round to make the double-thick edge pop, or work the edging in the same mint as the center for a subtle framed look.