Crochet with Kate: top tableware!
Your table will be the envy of all! Crochet these stunning place mats and coasters with Kate, with two different choices of edging!
These simple table mats and coasters are created with simple treble stitches and pretty edging – a fabulous way of bringing original design into your home, or making gorgeous housewarming gifts for friends! Make them for special occasions – for parties, in different colours, even for Easter or Christmas!
You will need:
- Debbie Bliss Eco Baby Kate used Stone (15), White (001), Apple (006) and Red (022), but there are 28 fabulous shades to choose from!
- A 3.5mm crochet hook
- A tapestry needle for sewing in ends.
Start by making a magic circle, and ch2. Work 11 tr in to the ring, making a total of 12 sts
Close the circle by gently pulling the yarn end and join with a sl st, and ch 2 – you are now ready to start Round 1.
Round 1: For this round we need to increase the stitches and we do this by working 2 tr in to each of the stitches from the first circle. By the end of the round you should have 24 sts. Join the circle together with a sl st.
Work in rounds, increasing as you go – but you do not need to increase as much as we did in the first round so we follow a pattern that allows a gentler increase with each round:
Round 2: Ch 2. Work 1 tr in to the next st and then work 2 tr in to the second stitch (above, right). Keep this pattern going all the way around, 1 tr in to one stitch, followed by 2 tr in to the next stitch. At the end of the round you will have 36 sts. Join the circle together with a sl st.
Round 3: ch 2. In this round work 1 tr in to the first st, 1 tr in to the second st and then 2 tr in to the third stitch. See the diagram below. Keep following this pattern all the way around and join the circle with a sl st. 48 sts.
Round 4: ch 2. Work 1 tr in to each of the first three stitches and then 2tr in to the fourth stitch. Continue this pattern all the way around, join the circle with a sl st.
For coasters, stop at Round 4, but if you are making a mat just continue working your rounds using increase pattern below until you reach the size you require.
When you have worked the required number of rounds, join your last circle together with a sl st. If you are working your border in a different colour, finish off and sew your ends in neatly.
Edgings
Kate edges her mats and coasters using two different kinds of border: rope or crab stitch, and a bobble stitch.
Join in your new colour by pulling a loop through from the back of your work to the front.
Work a round of dc. Keep your tension quite loose to avoid the coaster becoming too out of shape, and join the circle together with a sl st and ch 1 ready for your final round.
Rope stitch/crab stitch is basically just a reverse double crochet. It gives a neat, solid edge and works really well on these coasters and mats. Work your way around the circle, clockwise instead of anti clockwise, working dc all the way. Join the circle together with a sl st and sew in your ends.
For a bobble stitch edging, proceed as above – attach your new colour and work one round of double crochet keeping your tension quite loose to stop the mat from losing shape. Join with a sl st and ch 1 for your final round.
For the first three stitches simply work sl st. This gives you a neat and finished edge, without building up height. By working sl sts between your bobbles you will give clear definition to the finished bobbles.
Your first three stitches have been sl st, and you should now be ready to work stitch 4.
Work 5 tr in to stitch 4. As you work your tr you need to work the first yrh ( yarn round hook ) and pull through and then don’t work the next yrh as you need to keep the final loop on your hook.
In total you should have 6 loops on your hook. Then work a final yrh and pull through all 6 loops.
Work one chain to hold the bobble together, then sl st in to the next 3 sts, work another bobble in to the next stitch and so on all the way around.
Finish off with a sl st, and sew in your ends neatly.
Blocking
If your circles are a little out of shape, you might want to block them. Blocking is the magical process that transforms knitted and crocheted items from finished to “really finished” – and is simply a way of letting the fibres relax and set. You will need some pins and mats (like these KnitPro Blocking mats). Spray your crochet with water, and pin it into shape on to the mat. Leave overnight to dry – this will really set the fibres, and keep the mats and coasters in shape.
And there you have it! Make yourself a gorgeous set of table mats and coasters for any room – in any colour!
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About the Author
Merion Merion dreams in colour and adores crochet! From glorious granny blankets to ethereal shawls and lace cardies, she's never very far from her hooks! She loves cake, knitting, heavy horses, books and Mozart. Her favourite colour is duck egg blue.
So beautiful, and simple! Yet, not easy. ha ha If only I could do a magic circle. I’ve tried and tried, and failed and failed. lol
–Chris