Free Crochet Pattern: Buffalo Plaid Placemat

 

 

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Buffalo Plaid Placemat

Have you noticed that everywhere you look, there seems to be another plaid pattern? Well, I jumped on the trend with this Buffalo Plaid Placemat! 

I started this placemat with the intention of making it an all-over plaid, but then my mind wandered, as it often does when I crochet, and I thought it would be fun to have a graphic design in the center. So I created a solid canvas of sorts, upon which I could either crochet or cross stitch the design. I love many crafts and embroidery is one of them, so it seems a natural to add some embroidered touches on my crochet too!

Here’s the tree placemat with the design crocheted in place. I like the somewhat rustic look.

Then I made one where I crocheted the tree, cross stitched the tree skirt and added embroidery embellishments throughout.

 

For the traditional Buffalo Plaid I added a deer head in the center. I chose black, but of course you could do it in any color you like.

 

If you are wondering how they look when the table is set, here you go! I love that all you see is the plaid, but when you lift that plate, you get a nice surprise!

 

 

 

I made a set of these as a gift for my sister, but I’m planning on making a few more for myself, because in addition to working as placemats, they make good hot pads under a serving plate or even as a doily under a floral arrangement. I just think they are really pleasant to look at! And, if you use a little imagination, you can even make them into floor mats, or add a backing and a pillow form for a throw pillow! I love when you can use something in multiple ways, don’t you?

I hope you enjoy making it and will share your finished pictures on my Facebook page. 

 

 

 

 

Instructions

Size: 13” x 17”

Materials:

• Worsted weight yarn, such as Red Heart Soft
  • Color 1 (dark color) – 60 yards
  • Color 2 (medium color) – 60 yards
  • Color 3 (lighter color) – 60 yards
  • Color 4 (center color) – 100 yards
• Hook US H/5.00 mm
• Yarn needle for weaving ends

 

 

 

Gauge: 15 sc x 17 rows = 4”

Abbreviations (US Terms):
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)

 

Helpful Tutorials on My Website:

• Twisted Single Crochet Tutorial -> HERE 
• Reading a Graph Tutorial -> HERE
• How to Make Color Changes ->  HERE

 

 

Notes:

• This pattern is worked in rows with color changes to create the different blocks. The entire body of the placemat is worked in single crochet. Each small color block is 6 stitches wide by 6 rows tall. I created a solid canvas in the center to add my graphic design, but you could continue to work the buffalo square pattern if you prefer.

• I work over the color(s) not in use (you could fasten off at each color change if you prefer, but this will result in many ends to wave in) except for the center canvas. For that center, I end the yarn on the right side, then add a new piece of yarn at the left side. The easiest way to do this is to make small balls of yarn to have attached to either side, this cuts down on tangles. You could continue the colors throughout the row and work over them with the center color if you prefer.

• When working with two colors in the same row, I work with one color toward the back and one toward the front, this makes it easier to change colors and minimizes the colors getting tangled.

• I make color changes by finishing the single crochet before the color change in the new color. I pull the color in use toward the front, pick up the other color, tug the old color a bit to make sure it isn’t bunching and then continue stitching. If you are consistent in how you make the color changes, you will have a nice, neat perimeter around your squares.

• You may work the entire motif design in single crochet, or you could work the design in cross stitch after you are finished with the crochet section, or you could combine the two techniques for a more three-dimensional effect. Handi Works has some good basic embroidery stitch video tutorials on You Tube,  Part 1 is HERE. Sewrella has some guidance on how to cross stitch on crochet, see the You Tube video HERE.

 

Choosing Colors:

The traditional Buffalo plaid design can be achieved by using 3 colors, one light tone, one medium tone and one dark tone. Typically, two colors are in the same color family and one is a contrast. The medium tone is worked throughout the entire design, while the dark and light are alternated for each row. For this design, I’ve used a 4^th color for the center canvas.

While I made this into a placemat, it would make a really cute rug. Simply use a bulky yarn and bigger hook for a larger design profile.

 

Placemat:

Row 1: With Color 1, ch67 (or any multiple of 12 + 7), starting in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in 6 chs, with Color 2, sc in 6 chs, continue alternating Colors 1 and 2 every 6 chs to end of row. (66 sc throughout placemat)

Row 2 to 6: Ch1, turn, following color scheme, sc in each st to end. Tip: At this point I would fasten off Color 1.

Row 7: Ch1, turn, with Color 2, work sc in first 6 sc, with Color 3, work sc in next 6 sc, continue alternating Colors 2 and 3 every 6 chs to end of row.

Row 8 to 12: Ch1, turn, following color scheme, sc in each st to end. Tip: At this point I would fasten off Color 3.

**Rows 13 to 42 include the motif design, follow the graph for placement. The remainder of the instructions will not refer to the motif design.**

Row 13: With Color 1, ch1, turn, work sc in first 6 sc, with Color 2, sc in next 6 sc (at this point I drop Colors 1 and 2 so they will be ready for me to pick up on the next row); with Color 4, sc in each st until 12 remain, drop Color 4, with Color 2, and work sc in next 6 sc, with Color 1, work sc in last 6 sc.

Rows 14 to 18: Ch1, turn, following color scheme, sc in each st to end.

Row 19: With Color 2, ch1, turn, work sc in first 6 sc, with Color 3, sc in next 6 sc (at this point I drop Colors 2 and 3 so they will be ready for me to pick up on the next row); join Color 4, sc in each st until 12 remain, drop Color 4, with Color 3, and work sc in next 6 sc, with Color 2, work sc in last 6 sc.

Rows 20 to 24: Ch1, turn, following color scheme, sc in each st to end.

Rows 25 to 36: Repeat Rows 13 to 24.

Rows 37 to 42: Repeat Rows 13 to 18.

Rows 43 to 48: Repeat Rows 7 to 12.

Row 49: Ch1, turn, join Color 1, work sc in first 6 sc, with Color 2, work sc in next 6 sc, continue alternating Colors 1 and 2 every 6 chs to end of row.

Rows 50 to 54: Ch1, turn, following color scheme, sc in each st to end.

Border:

Round 1: With Color 1, work a round of sc all around being sure to have 3 sc in each corner, join with sl st to first sc. Typically, I work one sc in each st across the longer sides and 4 or 5 sc across 6 rows, however, the important thing is to make sure the sides lay flat and don’t pucker or wave and that you have the same number of stitches on the two shorter ends and the same number on the two longer ends.

Round 2: With Color 3, ch1, work a round of crab stitch or twisted single crochet all around, join with sl st to first st. Fasten off.

 

 

 

 

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I’m always happy to help you with questions regarding my patterns. Send me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Please feel free to sell finished items from my patterns. Pattern credit is not required, but is always appreciated.

Copyright © 2018 Pattern Paradise. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

 

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I can't wait to see your finished projects,

so feel free to share them on my Facebook page!

Follow me on…

 

Sign up for my newsletter and get free patterns, giveaways and

other fun stuff delivered directly to your mailbox!

CLICK HERE

****************************************************************

I’m always happy to help you with questions regarding my patterns. Send me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Please feel free to sell finished items from my patterns. Pattern credit is not required, but is always appreciated.

Copyright © 2023 Pattern Paradise. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.