Knit Placemat in Bernat Maker Outdoor Stripes - Downloadable PDF

Knit Placemat in Bernat Maker Outdoor Stripes

What is Being Made

This project creates a handmade knit placemat suitable for table settings. The finished placemat measures approximately 13 inches wide by 18 inches long, making it a standard size for place settings. This is an ideal beginner-friendly knitting project that produces a functional home décor item with visual texture and striped color options.

Yarn and Materials

The placemat is knitted using Bernat Maker Outdoor yarn, a chunky weight yarn that comes in 8.8 ounce (250 gram) balls with 249 yards (228 meters) of yardage per ball. One ball of yarn is required to complete one placemat. Two color options are available: Fresh Gray Stripe (color number 96003) or Summer Storm Gray (color number 99003). Both options feature striped patterns built into the yarn itself, adding visual interest without requiring color changes during knitting.

Tools and Equipment

This project requires Size U.S. 10 (6 mm) knitting needles or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. The chunky weight yarn and larger needle size make this an accessible project for beginners, as the work progresses quickly and stitches are easy to manage.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 14 stitches and 18 rows equals 4 inches (10 cm) in stocking stitch. Achieving the correct gauge ensures the finished placemat will be the proper dimensions and drape appropriately on a table.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Cast on: The placemat begins with casting on 45 stitches, the foundation row that creates the initial loops on the needle
• Knit stitch (K): The fundamental knitting stitch that creates a smooth, V-textured fabric
• Purl stitch (P): The reverse of the knit stitch, used in combination with knit stitches to create texture
• Stocking stitch: Also called stockinette stitch, created by alternating rows of knit and purl stitches, producing a smooth fabric on the right side
• Ribbed texture pattern: The pattern incorporates a combination of knit and purl stitches in specific sequences to create a textured surface
• Cast off (bind off): The final row technique that secures stitches and finishes the placemat edge

Pattern Structure

The placemat is created using a four-row repeating texture pattern. The first row (right side) begins with knit 2, then alternates purl 2 and knit 1 across, ending with knit 1. The second row mirrors this with a different sequence of knits and purls. The third row is worked entirely in knit stitch. The fourth row is knit 1, purl across to the last stitch, then knit 1. These four rows are repeated continuously until the work measures approximately 18 inches from the cast-on edge, ending on the second row of the pattern. The placemat is then cast off knitwise on the right side.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as beginner difficulty, making it suitable for those new to knitting. The pattern uses only basic knitting fundamentals—knit and purl stitches—and the chunky yarn weight allows stitches to be easily visible and manageable. The straightforward four-row repeat is simple to memorize and follow, and the project completes relatively quickly due to the yarn weight and needle size.