Autumn Harvest placemat

Autumn Harvest Placemat by Stephanie Anderson

What is Being Made

The Autumn Harvest Placemat is a crocheted table accessory designed by Stephanie Anderson. This finished placemat measures 14 x 18 inches after blocking, making it a practical and decorative addition to any table setting. The pattern includes instructions for customizing the size, allowing crafters to enlarge the design to create a centerpiece or larger mat if desired.

Craft and Technique Overview

This project uses crochet as the primary construction method. The placemat features two distinct sections with different stitch densities and visual effects. The center section showcases a woven floral-like design that creates raised texture and visual interest, while the outer section uses tighter, more densely packed stitches for a structured border. The combination of these two sections demonstrates intermediate-level crochet skills, making this pattern suitable for crafters with some prior experience.

Stitches Used

The Autumn Harvest Placemat incorporates several fundamental crochet stitches to achieve its layered appearance and textural variety:

• Single crochet (sc) - used in the outer section at a gauge of 16 stitches per 4 inches
• Half double crochet (hdc) - contributes to the overall structure and drape
• Double crochet (dc) - adds height and openness to certain sections
• Single crochet back loop only (scblo) - creates textural definition and the distinctive raised effect
• Half double crochet back loop only (hdblo) - provides additional texture variation
• Skip stitch (sk st) - used to shape and structure the design

Materials and Tools

The Autumn Harvest Placemat uses worsted weight yarn from the Lion Brand Heartland collection. The pattern calls for four skeins total, one skein of each of the following colors: Yosemite, Black Canyon, Great Sand Dunes, and Mammoth Cave. These autumn-inspired colorways create a cohesive seasonal aesthetic.

The required tools include a 6 mm crochet hook, a ruler or measuring tape for gauge checking, scissors, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and stitch markers for marking corners. Crafters will also need standard blocking tools such as a blocking mat and pins to achieve the finished measurements after completion.

Gauge and Sizing

Proper gauge is essential for this project. The center section should measure 4 inches across 9 floral raised rows, while the outer section should measure 4 inches across 16 single crochet stitches. Following the gauge ensures the placemat reaches the intended finished dimensions of 14 x 18 inches.