If you’re in Europe right now that chances are that you might be experiencing a huge heatwave. Here in Northern Spain (where the humidity is ridic) it’s been feeling more like Indonesia than Ibias and to say that it’s been sweaty is an understatement! Like I have mentioned a ton of times on this blog, my tolerance for hot weather in general is super-low, but the positive thing about this season is being able to spend time in the garden with the family, enjoy a BBQ and relax a bit.
So, what do us crocheters think of when we’re outside enjoying the sun? Crocheted placemats, coasters, table runners, things to make our table cosier and more handmade, right? I certainly do, and I decided to use up some lovely jute yarn that I had lying around my studio, combine it with some cotton and make a sun-inspired centrepiece/placemat for our next al-fresco evening.
Understanding the Mechanics of Your Placemat
The Science of Flat Circular Growth When you are working in rounds, getting your work to lay flat is all about the math of the circle. To keep the placemat from turning into a bowl, we have to increase the number of stitches in each round to compensate for the expanding circumference. For this pattern, I use a consistent increase sequence. If you ever find your piece starting to pull upward or cup, it is usually because your tension has tightened. If you see it starting to ruffle or wave, your stitches might be too loose, or you are adding an extra increase that the pattern does not call for. Checking your work against a flat table every few rounds is the best way to catch these little shifts before you get too far.
Managing Your Round Joins You will notice in the pattern instructions that we join at the end of each round. I prefer this method over working in a continuous spiral for a few reasons. First, it keeps your stitches perfectly aligned so you do not get that stair-step look at the end of your rounds. Second, it gives you a clean, predictable spot to start your new round, which makes it much easier to count your stitches and keep your Golden Hour placemat symmetrical.
Calculating Your Yarn Usage One thing I love about this pattern is how the yarn consumption shifts as you work. The first few rounds go by in a flash because the circumference is small, but as you reach those final rounds, you will notice it takes quite a bit longer to complete each one. Pro Tip: If you are worried about running out of yarn, weigh your ball before you start. Since the outer rounds take up the most yardage, save at least half of your yarn for the final third of the pattern. If you decide to add an extra decorative border, make sure you have a fresh ball ready to go!
| At A Glance: The Golden Hour Placemat Beginner Friendly | |
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| Materials & Tools |
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| Terminology | US Terms |
| Technique | Yarns held double |
| Time to Make | ~4 Hours (Quick project!) |
| Key Stitches | Magic ring, ch, sc, hdc, standing hdc |
Important Setup Note
This pattern is worked by holding two strands of yarn together at the same time:
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I love these summer placemats because they are quick, sturdy, only need light blocking to keep their shape and give you lots of options with regards colours. I added a couple of rounds of white to my placemat – I like the heathered look it gives you when combined with the yellow – but you can feel free to play with colour however you like. Make a stack of them for a housewarming gift, make one giant one as a summery centerpiece, you choose! I adore the little tassels around the edge as they really add lovely texture and a touch of fun to your table setting.
Fancy adding more fun and talking points to your table? Have a look at my free Nidi crocheted baskets (just the thing for storing little rolls or breadsticks) or these extra-cute knitted fish!
| Tools, Skills & Abbreviations | |
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| Tools & Equipment | 6.0 mm crochet hook • Yarn needle • Scissors • Tape measure |
| Pattern Details | ♡ US Terminology is used throughout. |
| Abbreviations |
♡ ch = chain
♡ rep = repeat
♡ sl st = slip stitch
♡ rnd = round
♡ st / sts = stitch / stitches
♡ join = join with slip stitch
♡ hdc = half double crochet
♡ first / same st = first / same stitch
♡ sc = single crochet
♡ around = all around
♡ inc = increase
♡ standing hdc = standing hdc
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| Equipment Note Professional blocking gear isn’t essential, so just use water and a household tea towel to give your project a clean finish. | |
| Yarn Spotlight: About Jute Yarn | |
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Why We Love It
♡ Naturally structured
♡ No stiffening needed ♡ Durable & long-lasting ♡ Perfect for homeware |
Jute is a really fabulous plant fibre that is ideal for crocheted placemats and homeware due to the fact that it doesn’t need starching or stiffening treatments to keep its shape. This makes it a great choice for all kinds of projects that benefit from a little extra structure-like mats, baskets, tableware, and hats-and its durability means your finished items will really last for years to come. |
| My Making Tip Jute can be a bit harsh on the hands when crocheting, so it is recommended that you use gloves for larger projects, or hold it together with a softer fibre (like cotton or eucalyptus) to make it a little less rough on your skin. Knitting with it is a touch easier, but do take care. There’s nothing worse than yarn burn! | |
| Finishing Touches & Essential Tips | |
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| ♡ Tassel Resource | For the tassels, check out this great photo tutorial at Purl Soho. |
| ♡ Extra Skills | You will also need to know how to work the standing stitch. |
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♡ Maker Tips & Tricks
Stretch your hands: Don’t forget to take time to stretch! Denser projects, especially those that use firmer yarns like jute, can be hard on your wrists and hands, so spend some time every few rounds to do some small exercises. Shedding advice: Jute can shed a little, so make sure you protect your clothes (unless you want little flecks all over you!). Tassel styling: You can play around with the thickness of the tassels on your placemat. I prefer thinner ones (as shown in the sample) but you can have a play and try out chunkier ones for a more maximalist look. |
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Pattern (makes one placemat):
Here is The Golden Hour Placemat pattern written out beautifully into a clean, text-only blog post layout.
I have structured it with clear headers and scannable round-by-round bullet points, making it incredibly easy for your readers to follow along from their screens while crocheting!
Step 1: Foundation Chain
Using Colour 1, ch 5. Join with a slip stitch to the first ch to form a ring.
Step 2: Base Rows
- Round 1: Standing hdc into the ring (counts as first hdc), 9 hdc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the first standing hdc. (10 sts)
- Round 2: Standing hdc in the first st, hdc in the same st (this counts as your first increase), work 2 hdc into each remaining st around. Join. (20 sts)
Step 3: Repeating Pattern
- Round 3: Standing hdc in the first st, hdc in the next st, inc in the next st. Then, repeat
[hdc 1, inc]around to the end. Join. (30 sts) - Round 4: Standing hdc in the first st, hdc in the next 2 sts, inc in the next st. Then, repeat
[hdc 2, inc]around to the end. Join. (40 sts) - Round 5: Standing hdc in the first st, hdc in the next 3 sts, inc in the next st. Then, repeat
[hdc 3, inc]around to the end. Join. (50 sts) - Round 6: Standing hdc in the first st, hdc in the next 4 sts, inc in the next st. Then, repeat
[hdc 4, inc]around to the end. Join. (60 sts) - Round 7: Standing hdc in the first st, hdc in the next 5 sts, inc in the next st. Then, repeat
[hdc 5, inc]around to the end. Join. (70 sts) - Round 8: Standing hdc in the first st, hdc in the next 6 sts, inc in the next st. Then, repeat
[hdc 6, inc]around to the end. Join. (80 sts) - Round 9: Standing hdc in the first st, hdc in the next 7 sts, inc in the next st. Then, repeat
[hdc 7, inc]around to the end. Join. (90 sts) - Round 10: Change to Colour 2. Standing hdc in the first st, hdc in the next 8 sts, inc in the next st. Then, repeat
[hdc 8, inc]around to the end. Join. (100 sts) - Round 11: Continuing in Colour 2, standing hdc in the first st, hdc in the next 9 sts, inc in the next st. Then, repeat
[hdc 9, inc]around to the end. Join. (110 sts)
Step 4: Finishing Edge
- Round 12: Change to Colour 1. Standing sc in the first st, sc in the next 10 sts, inc in the next st. Then, repeat
[sc 10, inc]around to the end. Join. (120 sts)
Break your yarn and fasten off. Weave in all loose ends and knot them securely on the wrong side of your work.
Blocking & Finishing
Step 5: Blocking
Wet your placemat thoroughly and gently squeeze out any excess water. Lay it flat on top of a clean towel and carefully reshape it into a perfect circle. Leave it undisturbed until it is 100% dry.
Making the Tassels
Locate the increase stitches on the final round of your placemat. You will make one tiny tassel in each of these increase points around the edge using all three yarns held together, or any custom combination of the shades you prefer.
My Style Tip: For the thinner tassels featured in the pattern sample, I simply wrapped the yarn over my finger three times using a single strand of Yarn 1. Once attached, trim your tassels carefully to ensure all the lengths are perfectly even.
Beyond the Last Round: Tips for Success
Troubleshooting: The Bowl or Ruffle Effect If your placemat is not laying perfectly flat, do not panic! Every maker has a different tension, and that is totally normal.
- If your piece is cupping (like a bowl): This usually means your tension is too tight or you are missing an increase stitch. Try going up half a hook size or focusing on keeping your yarn tension loose as you pull up your loops.
- If your piece is ruffling: You have likely added too many stitches, and the fabric is trying to expand faster than it can lay flat. You might need to drop down half a hook size or re-check your stitch count against the pattern instructions.
Finishing Techniques for a Professional Edge The final round is where the magic happens. I chose a specific stitch for the edge of this placemat because it serves a dual purpose. It provides a beautiful, clean finish that mimics the look of a woven piece, but it also helps stabilize the outer edge. This prevents the placemat from curling over time and ensures it keeps its shape even after it has been used for dinner and washed.
Customizing Your Size Because this pattern is based on circular growth, it is incredibly easy to scale. If you want a larger charger plate or a centerpiece for your table, simply continue working your increase rounds until you reach your desired diameter.
- For a smaller mat: Stop the pattern two rounds early.
- For a larger mat: Repeat the final increase round one or two more times before doing your final border. Just remember that if you go much larger, you will need to account for more yarn!
Now you’re done you can have a sit down, pour your favourite glass of bubbly and enjoy your work!
I hope you enjoyed making the Golden Hour Placemat crochet pattern! Don’t forget to share your work on social media and tag me – I love seeing your creations!
Have a happy crochet day,
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