STITCH ROUND Crochet placemat pattern with a half double crochet base and shell border
Tick off each half double crochet round to grow this cotton placemat, then finish with a single crochet round and a shell border.
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Rounds
- 6 rounds
- Yarn weight
- Worsted
- Hook
- 3.5 mm
- Time
- 3-5 hours
Intermediate
What the original page called it. Nothing here is graded a second time.
6 rounds
Each one gets its own line, with a box beside it to tick as you go.
Worsted
What the sample was made in. Any weight works — the size moves with it.
About this pattern
The shaping relies on steady increases: doubling stitches in the second round, then spacing further increases evenly so the circle lies flat instead of cupping or rippling. Slow down at the color change and the border round, where chains, skipped stitches, and clusters of double crochet replace the half double crochet rhythm used everywhere else. Counting stitches before swapping colors keeps the shell pattern lining up evenly all the way around the edge.
- Form a magic circle and work the first ring of half double crochet stitches to start the base.
- Work several increase rounds in half double crochet, spacing increases evenly to keep the circle flat.
- Attach a new color yarn and work a single crochet round, increasing where needed to hold the shape.
- Build a shell border by chaining two, skipping two stitches, and working clusters of double crochet around.
- Close the final round with a slip stitch to complete the placemat edge.
What goes wrong
- Magic circle left too loose Pull the starting tail firmly before working the first stitches, then tug it again once the round closes so the center does not leave a gap.
- Increases drift out of place Mark the first stitch of each increase round and keep the same spacing round after round so the circle stays flat instead of cupping.
- Shell border stitches bunch up Skip exactly the two stitches noted before each cluster of double crochet so the shells land evenly and the edge lies flat.
- New color pulled too tight Join the border color with a relaxed slip knot and work the first single crochet loosely so the color change does not pucker the edge.
Yarn, hook and the rest
Copied from the source pattern's own materials list.
- 100% Cotton yarn, size 4
- 3.5 mm crochet hook
- Yarning needle
- Scissors
Progress tracker
0 of the 6 rounds on this page are ticked.
The pattern, round by round
Kept in the order and the wording the source used. Tick a round as you finish it; the ticks stay on this device.
Starting the Circle
Begin with a magic circle: Make a loop with a long tail, twist to create a smaller loop, and hold it in place.
Insert the hook into the loop, pull the yarn through, and chain one to close the circle.
Round 1
Start with a single crochet into the magic circle. Chain one (this combination counts as your first half double crochet).Step by step: Make nine more half double crochets into the circle (total of 10 stitches including the initial single crochet and chain one); pull the tail to close the circle; slip stitch into the second stitch of the row (the first actual half double crochet) to join.
Expanding the Circle
Move the stitch to the back to begin this round, starting from the same stitch each time for consistency.
Round 2
Start from the same stitch with a single crochet and chain one. In each stitch around, make two half double crochets (increases in each stitch, resulting in 20 stitches total). Complete the row with a slip stitch into the first half double crochet made in this row.Row 3 and Beyond: Continue increasing rows by starting the same way (single crochet, chain one in the first stitch).Increase the number of half double crochets between each set of increases:
Round 3
1 half double crochet, 1 increase repeat.
Round 4
2 half double crochets, 1 increase repeat. Continue this pattern, adding one more half double crochet between each increase for every subsequent row until the desired size.
Finishing the Base & Switching Colors
Final Row of Main Circle: Continue as described until you reach the desired size for your placemat.
Switching Colors for Border (if desired): Attach a new color yarn with a slip knot.
Color Round
Begin by chaining one, then make single crochet stitches around, increasing where necessary to keep the work flat.
Creating the Border
Border Round
Start with a chain one and a single crochet. Chain two, skip two stitches, make four double crochets; repeat from to around. Finish with a slip stitch into the first single crochet of the row.
Join
Step 1Cut and fasten off the yarn.
Step 2Weave in all ends using the yarning needle.
Step 3Optional: Block the placemat to improve shape and size using a mat, pins, and a steamer.
Finish
- Cut the yarn and fasten off securely after finishing the shell border round.
- Weave in every yarn end with a yarning needle so no tails show on the right side.
- Block the placemat on a mat with pins and a steamer to flatten curling edges and set the shape.
Bigger or smaller
- Hook and yarn swap
- Move up to a heavier cotton and larger hook for a bigger, looser placemat, or down to a finer cotton and smaller hook for a tighter, smaller one.
Photographs of this one
Every photograph on this page was taken by whoever published the pattern, and they are printed in the order the source listed them.
FAQs
Asked and answered
These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.
How much yarn does this placemat use?
The pattern calls for worsted weight 100% cotton, with a contrasting color reserved for the border rounds. Exact yardage depends on tension and final size, so keep extra cotton on hand for the shell border.
Can the border be worked in the same color?
Yes, though attaching the border in a new color with a slip knot is what gives the piece its two-tone look. Working it in the same cotton keeps the hook and stitch pattern identical, just without the color contrast.
Why does the circle need to stay flat?
A placemat that cups or ripples will not sit evenly on a table. Keeping the half double crochet increases spaced evenly round after round is what keeps the base flat before the shell border goes on.
What if the stitch count does not match the pattern?
A slightly different count from the magic circle or an increase round is common and usually not a problem, since the shell border adjusts around whatever stitches are there by skipping two and repeating the cluster evenly. Focus on keeping the fabric flat rather than hitting an exact number.