Holiday Tree Table Mat - PH-601

Holiday Tree Table Mat - PH-601

What Is Being Made

The Holiday Tree Table Mat is a festive crochet table setting accent designed by Nancy Brown. This decorative mat features a tree-shaped centerpiece approximately 18 inches from top to bottom, with a maximum width of approximately 18 inches across the widest section. The finished piece serves as an elegant holiday table decoration that combines functional table protection with seasonal aesthetic appeal.

Project Overview and Construction

This intermediate-level crochet project is worked in three distinct sections, building the design from the top of the tree downward through the trunk. The mat is completed with a finished edging worked all around the perimeter, creating a polished, professional appearance suitable for holiday entertaining.

Techniques Used

The Holiday Tree Table Mat employs several fundamental crochet techniques to create its decorative structure:

• Working in the round using a chain ring foundation
• Creating shells and picot shells to form the tree's layered, dimensional appearance
• Working rows with turning chains to build height and shape
• Slip stitching for joining and shaping
• Edging techniques to frame and finish the completed mat

Stitches and Special Stitches

The pattern incorporates standard crochet stitches combined with decorative specialty stitches:

• Double Crochet (dc) – the primary structural stitch
• Chain Stitches (ch) – used for spacing and foundation
• Slip Stitch (sl st) – for joining and shaping
• Beg Shell – a beginning shell variation that skips the first double crochet, slip stitches into position, and creates a shell of (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the same space
• Shell – a standard decorative shell consisting of (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) worked in the same stitch or space to create texture and dimension
• Picot – a small decorative loop created by chaining 3 and slip stitching into the two front loops at the top of the preceding double crochet
• Picot Shell – an embellished shell variation combining the shell structure with a picot accent: (2 dc, Picot, 2 dc) in the same space

Materials and Tools

This project requires minimal materials, making it an accessible holiday craft:

• Yarn: One 3.5-ounce ball of Lion Brand Basic Stitch yarn in Grass (#130), which provides 185 yards of worsted-weight yarn. The anti-pilling properties of this yarn ensure the finished mat maintains its appearance through repeated use and washing.
• Hook: Boye crochet hook, U.S. size H
• Gauge: No gauge adjustment is necessary for this project, allowing crafters flexibility in tension while maintaining the intended finished size

Skill Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern assumes the crocheter is comfortable with basic stitches and can follow multi-section instructions. The combination of shells, picots, and shaping techniques provides an engaging project that builds on fundamental skills while introducing decorative specialty stitches.