Modern Art Placemat

Modern Art Placemat by knitvana

Project Overview

The Modern Art Placemat is a knitted table accessory designed by knitvana, measuring 10 inches by 10 inches. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a reversible placemat featuring artistic colorwork on the front and a solid knit back, making it both functional and decorative for table settings.

What Is Being Made

This project produces a square placemat suitable for protecting and decorating a dining table. The finished piece measures 10" x 10" and features a two-sided design with a colorful patterned front and a coordinating solid-colored back, allowing the maker to choose which side to display based on their table décor.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Modern Art Placemat employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters. The construction uses garter stitch and stockinette stitch variations, with the front featuring a charted colorwork design that requires following a diagram while working in stockinette stitch. The back side uses a simple stockinette stitch pattern worked entirely in a single yarn color, providing a clean, finished reverse side.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Knit stitch – Used throughout all odd-numbered rows on both front and back
• Purl stitch – Used throughout all even-numbered rows on both front and back
• Stockinette stitch – Created by alternating knit and purl rows, forming the base fabric for both sides
• Charted colorwork – The front features a diagram-based pattern using multiple yarn colors to create the modern art design

Front Side Construction

The front of the placemat begins with casting on 45 stitches. Crafters follow a provided diagram to work the colorwork pattern, maintaining stockinette stitch throughout by knitting all odd rows and purling all even rows. This creates a smooth fabric surface that showcases the artistic color changes indicated in the pattern diagram.

Back Side Construction

The back side is worked in Golden Yellow yarn, cast on with 45 stitches to match the front dimensions. All odd rows (rows 1 through 63) are knit, and all even rows (rows 2 through 64) are purled, creating a coordinating stockinette stitch fabric in a solid color. This simple, elegant back provides a finished appearance when the placemat is flipped over.

Yarn and Materials

The Modern Art Placemat is knitted using cotton yarn worked on size #3 needles. The pattern calls for seven distinct yarn colors to complete the front side colorwork:

• Black
• Lime Green
• Dark Spring Green
• Mint Green
• Sea Green
• Lemon Yellow
• Golden Yellow

The designer notes that crafters need not purchase large quantities of each color. Instead, the pattern is designed to work well with small amounts of yarn already on hand, making it an excellent stash-busting project for those with leftover yarn from previous projects.

Skill Level and Suitability

Rated as an intermediate knitting project, the Modern Art Placemat is suitable for knitters who are comfortable with basic stitches and can follow a charted pattern. The combination of straightforward stitch work and colorwork design provides an engaging challenge without overwhelming newer knitters.