Granny Circle Placemats
As hot weather settles over the city I can feel my summer appetite kicking in. Winter may be all about heavy red sauces and rich, maple drizzled squashes, but, for me, summer is a whole different story. Everything lightens up, and the operative word becomes “fresh”, fresh salads, fresh fruit, fresh everything! And, so, to recognize this culinary shift, I decided that my tabletop would definitely need a summer overhaul.
These Granny Circle Placemats fit right into the mood of summer: bright, casual and as fresh as this morning! I took the classic design of the granny square, spun it into a circle and added a colorful edge. The result is a simple and cheerful set of placemats that will be perfectly at home under a bowl of salted cucumber slices!
For a no-fuss look I used Cascade’s Ultra Pima. One hundred percent Pima Cotton, this yarn does durable duty with elegance. It’s machine washable and ready for wear, but has a pretty, subtle shine and classic cotton simplicity.
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
There are so many sunny colors of Ultra Pima to choose from, you can really have good time personalizing your placemats. Go for white with royal and navy blues for a fun, nautical take, or stick to naturals and peaches for a breezy, beachy look. To reflect my seasonal mood, I chose four colors with the zesty flavors of citrus and melon. -Whitney
Materials
- Main Color: 4 skeins of Cascade’s Ultra Pima, 100% Pima Cotton. I used Natural #3718
- Contrast Colors: 1 skein each of four colors of Cascade’s Ultra Pima. I used, from the top, Yellow Roses #3743, Gold #3747, Marigold #3749, and Ice Peach #3753.
- A size E (3.5 mm) crochet hook
This is enough yarn to make four placemats.
Shop our wonderful collection of light worsted/DK-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
Gauge
6 1/2 single crochets = 1 inch
Size
14 inches in diameter
Pattern
Round 1: With the Main Color, chain 3 into an adjustable loop (see our Adjustable Loop Tutorial right here for how-to’s!)…
…1 double crochet (dc) into the loop, (chain 1, 2 dc) 5 times, chain 1, join to third chain of beginning chain with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Make 1 slip stitch into next stitch, and 1 slip stitch into space…
…chain 3, 1 dc into same space, chain 1, 2 dc into same space, *chain 1, 2 dc into next space, chain 1, 2 dc into same space, repeat from * to end of round, chain 1, join to third chain of beginning chain with a slip stitch.
Round 3: Make 1 slip stitch into next stitch, and 1 slip stitch into space, chain 3, 2 dc into same space, *chain 1, 3 dc into next space, repeat from * to end of round, chain 1, join to third chain of beginning chain with a slip stitch.
Round 4: Make 1 slip stitch into next two stitches, and 1 slip stitch into space…
…chain 3, 2 dc into same space, *chain 1, 3 dc into next space, repeat from * to end of round, chain 1, join to third chain of beginning chain with a slip stitch.
Round 5: Make 1 slip stitch into next two stitches, and 1 slip stitch into space, chain 3, 2 dc into same space, chain 1, 3 dc into same space, *chain 1, 3 dc into next space, chain 1, 3 dc into same space, repeat from * to end of round, chain 1, join to third chain of beginning chain with a slip stitch.
Rounds 6 and 7: Repeat Round 4.
Round 8: Make 1 slip stitch into next two stitches, and 1 slip stitch into space, chain 3, 2 dc into same space, chain 1, 3 dc into next space, chain 1, 3 dc into same space, *chain 1, 3 dc into next space, chain 1, 3 dc into next space, chain 1, 3 dc into same space, repeat from * to end of round, chain 1, join to third chain of beginning chain with a slip stitch.
Rounds 9, 10 and 11: Repeat Round 4.
Round 12: Make 1 slip stitch into next two stitches, and 1 slip stitch into space, chain 3, 2 dc into same space, chain 1, 3 dc into next space, chain 1, 3 dc into next space, chain 1, 3 dc into same space, *chain 1, 3 dc into next space, chain 1, 3 dc into next space, chain 1, 3 dc into next space, chain 1, 3 dc into same space, repeat from * to end of round, chain 1, join to third chain of beginning chain with a slip stitch.
Rounds 13, 14, and 15: Repeat Round 4.
Round 16: Repeat Round 12.
Rounds 17 and 18: Repeat Round 4.
Cut the yarn and pull the yarn through the last stitch.
Here’s a visual of all 18 rounds:
Trim
With the Contrast Color, join to any stitch or space and chain 2. Make a half double crochet into each stitch and space around the edge of the placemat. Join to second chain of beginning chain with a slip stitch.
Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch.
Make three more and you’ll have a set!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our crochet patterns and crochet tutorials, buy one of our many kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next crochet or knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
These are too beautiful to be hidden under plates! Thanks also for the extreme closeup photos with arrows — crochet is one of those where it can be hard for me to tell what's happening in photos. These detailed shots are great.
I think the instructions for round 8 are wrong? The * is in the wrong place, and needs to begin at chain 1?
HI Sarah,
You're right! Thank you so much for your attentive reading! Round 8 is now officially corrected…
Thank you again!
Whitney
i love your posts esp the ones related to crochet.
you tutorial is very good.
also check my blog post
http://roycedavids.blogspot.com/2011/06/crochet-red-simple-and-elegent-doily.html
hope you like it
These are so great! Thanks for the pattern, I am making them as a wedding present right now!
Thanks for the great pattern! I was wondering — for rounds 6 and 7 I repeated round 4 but the piece seems to curl up. I went on to round 8 hoping it would flatten out but I'm still looking like a beret! Is this expected ? Am I doing something wrong or should continue and it will flatten out ? Ty !
Hi Alison,
It is normal that as you crochet the even rounds the edges might curl up a little bit, but the increase round should ease the tension. If that's not happening for you, I think that you are either missing something in the pattern (remember to chain 1 between every group of double crochets!) or perhaps your gauge is a little tight and you need to use a bigger hook.
I hope this helps! Please let us know if you have more questions!
Good luck-
Whitney
These are delightful. So pretty. Thank you for the great tutorial!
Hi Alison,
Maybe you have figured it out already, but I wonder if you are making the same mistake on row 6 that I almost did (my first time crocheting in like 20 years!). Are you crocheting into *every* space created by the chain 1's after each set of 3 dc's? Assuming I've done this correctly, there are 24 spaces to crochet into during row 6. There are small spaces (the chain 1's between the 2 sets of 3dc's you crocheted w/in one space) and big spaces. If you only crochet into the big spaces on row 6, I think you will get the curling up you describe.
-Sara
I am planning on using this patterns to make a nice round preemie blanket. I think maybe a bigger hook and two extra rows and it will be 20 inches.. cross your fingers! Super excited to get started! Thank you for the wonderful pattern!
Just wanted to say thanks so much for posting the pattern. I'm going to make these for my sisters for Christmas. They are so pretty. I'm on a very limited budget so everyone gets home made stuff this year. I really really appreciate it.
Would love to make these as a wedding gift for a 30-something couple on the UES. Hemp blend in neutral naturals for all year 'round casual table. Would also love to know your opinion on that combo – I am eager to give them what I think is a totally fabulous gift – and hopefully encourage my cousin (the bride) to visit you and get into knitting and crocheting – but my taste may not be theirs. Any advice? Thank you so much for your pattern – your store and your site are true treasures!
Hi Lisa,
Sounds absolutely stunning! I don't think you can wrong with beautiful neutrals – maybe, like these, an ecru center with different natural colors around the edges? I hope your cousin not only loves them, but catches the bug too!
Thank you!
Whitney
These are gorgeous! I was thinking that this pattern would make a really pretty table cloth as well. I'm just not quite sure how to add more rows so it comes out right. Any suggestions?
Brandie
I'm trying to make 4 of these for when we have company the day after boxing day but there's not much time so I'm using craft cotton (for dishcloths), a bigger hook and less rounds. Done one today already, about to start the next one – haven't finished them off yet in case I have time to add more rounds!
One question from a crochet noob – how do I secure the new colour to the edge? Do I just knot it on then weave in the tail or is there a special way? Thanks again 🙂
Hi Rachel,
I hope this advice isn't coming too late because there is a very easy way to change colors. It doesn't involve knots. You actually just start crocheting with the new color, leaving a tail that you weave in later (or, even easier, crochet over as you go). Our Crocheted Yarmulke pattern shows you how: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/crocheted-passover-yarmulke/2009/3/8/whits-knits-crocheted-passover-yarmulke.html .
Sounds like a great project! Good luck!
Whitney
Thank you very much for sharing your pattern. I might try this for a baby blankie. 🙂
Hello!!
Thank you for showing your beautiful crochet creations….I have been crocheting for 15 years (Since I was 19 years old) and I love that you have “brought it back”…I have a stepdaughter who loves to watch me “yarning” and we sit and talk as she pretends to “yarn” along with me…as we grow our family in the next few years, I am sure to incorporate crochet into everything for our home, gifts and mementos for whoever comes along….so please keep posting the crochet especially the granny stitch…which I noticed to be you guys' favorite 😉 I am also in love with the shell stitch and trinity stitch…looks well in photographs and makes pretty patterns… and thank you!
I love all things granny square!
I featured added this great tutorial over here:
http://www.thebackloop.com/blog/granny-square-love
I really want to know how to knit because I want to make a table cover as additional attraction.Thanks for some of your tips I can start a little by little.
I just wanted to Thank you for posting the Tutorial for the Granny Circle Placemats. I can see several presents being crocheted in this pattern!
Thank you for sharing
Hello, thank you so much for posting this! I'll certainly give it a try.
hugs from Brasilia, Brazil.
Is there a substitute yarn you would suggest for the ultra pima? Also, how many place mats would you get from your instructions. Am thinking of using them at tables for a wedding. Would have have to make 15 to 20.
My placemat is not laying flat. I am ready to begin Round 16, which is an increase round.
Should I keep going or will this row make it worse?
Want to make a set of these do much!
Thanks,
Diane
Hi Linda,
What a nice idea! Each placemat used one skein of the main color and a quarter skein of the trim color (so, 1 skein of the trim color would be enough for four placemats).
Another cotton alternative would be Blue Sky Skinny Cotton (https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/3823-Blue-Sky-Skinny-Cotton ). And some wool washable wool alternatives would be the Cascade Superwash 220 Sport (https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8066-Cascade-Yarns-Cascade-220-Superwash-Sport ) or the Madeline Tosh Sport (https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8682-Madeline-Tosh-Sport ).
Good luck and thanks for your questions!
Whitney
Hi Diane,
I suspect that an increase round is just what your placemat needs! I suggest that you keep going and if there's still some curl to the final mat, give it a good blocking. It should be just fine!
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Whitney
I absolutely love this! I am currently obsessed with all things granny! If I were were to make this larger, say, into a blanket, would I just increase every 3rd round? Thank you so much!
Joanne
Hi Joanne,
I believe you will find that you'll need to increase the number of rounds between increase-rounds as your circle grows. So, you'll probably want to increase every four rounds a few times, then every five rounds, etc.
I agree with you about all things granny. it's so easy and beautiful and classic!
Thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney
Love my placemats, thank you for your lovely blog full of lovely ideas … http://ptepimprenelle.canalblog.com/archives/2012/07/15/24660920.html
Hello! I love these placemats! I am anxious to begin mine, but I have a question. I would like to use my Sugar'n Cream cotton worsted weight yarn and wondered if you could tell me how much yarn I need for a set of 4, including the trim. I really want to start right away for an Aug 28 wedding gift. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. You may email me if you'd like.
The Ultra Pima yarn is a joy to use. I took advantage of your recent sale to add to my color assortment and am now using it for hexagon potholders, some very bright, some quite subtly neutral in their colorways.
I may now have to give this placemat pattern a go.
Many compliments to all involved in the website and on the scene at the Broome Street shop. Purl is a very inspiring place.
Hi Whitney,
I love this pattern! I have a set of 6 made and I think they will make a lovely gift. Do you have any suggestions for stain protecting them- Scotch Guard?
Thanks
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte,
I honestly haven't ever stain protected anything I've made (although I have certainly wished I had!), but doing a little research, I found that Scotchgard makes a special product for crafts called Scotchgard Needlecraft and Sewing Protector. I can't personally endorse it, but it does sound intriguing!
Thanks for your question and I hope you enjoy your mats!
Whitney
Is there a trick to getting these beauties to lay so flat? My first one turned out kind of ruffled / wavy…did I mess something up along the way? Many thanks for all your patterns and inspiration…
Hi Kate,
Have you tried blocking your placemats? By that I just mean soaking them in warm water, squeezing out the excess water and then letting them dry flat on a towel.
Hopefully that will work, but it may also be possible that you need to go up a hook size or two.
Please let us know if you have any more questions and good luck!
Whitney
For those that are finding your circles are curling up, check your stitches. Mine was curling up also and when I checked my work, I wasn't following properly. I'm using a thicker yarn and making a blanket for my own bed lol. I've figured out how to keep the pattern going. Thanks for this great post. Been crocheting for years and have never tried a granny circle 🙂
These are so darling. I saw them a long time ago and am late getting started, but they are turning out well. Thank you very much for your site and these great patterns and tutorials. You are a treasure!
Thanks so much for the wonderful pattern! I'm relatively new to crochet but would love to be able to make a set of these. Could you please explain what it means to make 1 slip stitch into next two stitches? Thanks again!
Hi Lis,
Here is a link to our Basic Crochet Tutorial: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/crochet-tutorials/crochet-basics.html . There you'll find an explanation of making a slip stitch. Also, when the pattern says to make a slip stitch into the next two stitches, it means to make two slip stitches, one into each of the next two stitches.
I hope this sets you on the right path, and please let us know if you have any more questions. Thanks for this one!
Whitney
Hi what a fab pattern. Although been crocheting (and selling it) I have only just learnt to do granny squares lol
I love that is is in the round so much I think I'm going to attempt to make it into a nice circle cardigan or vest for myself. 🙂
Thank you for such detailed information.
Kayleigh
This placemat pattern is fun, fun, fun! Currently I am working on a set of two to give as a wedding gift and plan on making another set of two for yet another wedding gift. (Both weddings are in May.)
Like many others, I noticed that after the Round 8 increase, my placemat was more wavy/ruffly than the flat it had been previously. Thanks to the incredible photos of the piece(s) in progress – especially the photo with all the rounds numbered – I figured out that I had misread the pattern. After ripping out my rounds 8 – 10 and re-reading the written pattern, I realized where I had gone wrong and corrected the mistake. Now the placemat is crocheting like a dream – quickly and flat. 🙂
Thanks for the awesome photos you use to accompany the detailed written directions.
I am looking forward to crocheting a set of placemats for my family after all the wedding placemats have been completed. Thanks for a great classic pattern. (By the way, the Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton yarn is simply wonderful to use. Makes the crocheting of gifts for others a gift for me as well.)
Hi, I was wondering if you could keep going and make the circle as large as you wanted? Possibly to make a rug… How would I go about doing so?
Such a great pattern!
Hi Alaina,
Sure! You just keep repeating the pattern as it's established and throw in an increase round (like rounds 8 and 12) when the edges start to curl up.
I hope this puts you on the right path. Thanks so much for asking and good luck!
Whitney
This pattern is so perfect for gift-giving! Last year I made three sets of two placemats each for three wedding gifts. This year I’ll be making more sets to give as gifts for birthdays and Christmas.
This afternoon, I just finished a daisy-themed granny circle placemat that will be a gift for my Mom for her birthday (in June). Using Whit’s Knits Granny Circle pattern as the foundation, I modified the last two rounds (rounds 17 & 18) to give the idea of flower petals (otherwise the placemat looked like a sunny-side-up egg). Cascade’s Ultra Pima Cotton yarn – Buttercup (# 3748) for the first 5 rounds, and Natural (# 3718) for the remainder of the placemat – was used. Now, I’m off to begin the second daisy granny circle placemat for my Mom. (Someday I’ll get “around” to making placemats for my own family. LOL )
Thanks for such classic patterns!
Simply beautiful!
Simply beautiful!
doing your pattern, and my work is not flat. its curling. could you please tell me why?
Hi Judy,
Thank you for your question. There are a few things that can contribute to curling in crochet. If you are crocheting very tightly that can sometimes cause the edges to curl inward. Also if your using a different yarn than the pima cotton it might just need to be blocked to make the placemat lay flat. Once you finish one I recommend you block it and if it’s still curling you can even press it with an iron.
If the curling persists feel free to write us back!
Happy Crocheting!
Jake
I’ve just made this using cerise pink double knit yarn and edged with pale lime green for the centre of my dining table and it’s just perfect!The edges did curl slightly but a little steam soon put it right. Thank you for a great pattern.
Have any of you talented people worked this up as a knitting pattern? I have no idea how to translate this over and I MUST HAVE IT!! 😉
To do a flat disk in knitting, you need to start from the center, cast on a few stitches, then knit until the rounds knitted equal the number of stitches cast on (so if you cast on 6, knit until you have 6 rounds), then do an increase round to double the stitch count.
To do a flat disk in knitting with holes like the granny circle has, you follow the pattern for the flat disk above, but throw in some false increase rounds (knit two together and a yarn over around the round) as often as you like.
For the last round(s), switch to the alternate color and work in garter stitch would be pretty, or, an attached icord border, or, whatever your eyes/hands tell you are best for your project.
I just made this and used three colors instead of two and it came out BEAUTIFUL. Thank you so much for this pattern. It is one of the BEST written pattern I’ve come across in awhile AND the pictures are amazingly helpful. Thank you SO much. PS. In response to Judy Stites, I used yarn other than what was suggested and it needed to be blocked. Thank you! 🙂
I just finished using this pattern to make a circular stool/chair cover for an art teacher in the order of the colors of the rainbow. It turned out so pretty. She will love it. It was easy to follow.
This tutorial would benefit from a video demonstration. One count off can wreak havoc, and repeated ripping back weakens the yarn. Thank you.
Hi Ame,
Thanks for writing in. Unfortunately we don’t have the resources at the moment to do a video tutorial of this. We will keep your request in mind though for the future! Thanks!
Best,
Julianna
This is just what I am looking for the whole day. It looks stunning and thanks for the pattern.
Enjoyed this pattern for my ombré yarn only made it to round 12 for 14”. Did sc on edge.
Using the same yarn and E hook, I don’t have enough yarn to go all rounds. What’s the problem? Thank you
Hi Leslie,
Thanks for reaching out! Did you check your gauge prior to beginning? That is my best guess for what could be causing you to be short on yarn! For this pattern we used 4 skeins of Cascade’s Ultra Pima for the main color, each skein is 219yds. 876 yards total was used to make 4 Granny Circle Placemats!
Warmly,
Gianna
How many yards did it take to make this product?
Hello,
I don’t understand the direction “Make 1 slip stitch into next stitch, and 1 slip stitch into space”. When I slip stitch into the next stitch it is also into the next space. It seems as if it’s the same thing.
Thank you,
Jane
Hi Jane,
Thanks for reaching out. It’s likely that you worked the previous slip stitch (the one you made to join the first round) into the wrong stitch! This slip stitch must be worked into the 3rd chain stitch from the 3 chains you worked at the very beginning of the pattern. This way, the following stitch (from the first dc) will be available for this slip stitch. I hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Lili
Hello there! I am up to row 13 and mine is waving and curling up… as though there’s too many stitches. I’ve double checked my stitches and all seems to be right as per instructions. Is there any reason / or anything you can think of for me to check on, that could be causing this? Could it be that I did a slip knot at the beginning instead of the adjustable loop you said to use?
I really appreciate your help!
Hi Adrienne!
Thank you so much for your comment. There are a few things you can check, but I definitely suggest using the Adjustable Loop method for the beginning of your placemat to see if that improves your tension for the next one! We have a tutorial for the Adjustable Loop if you’re interested. I also suggest checking out your gauge, to see that the yarn and hook you’re using agree with the pattern’s gauge. We have a tutorial for gauge as well. Although it is for knitting, the same principles apply! And finally, if all of these check out and you are still experiencing rolling or curled edges, I know that blocking your placemats will help tremendously, to encourage the fibers to lay flat and feel at home in their new lace design!
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Thank you for this tutorial. I have made four placemats and am very happy with the results – they look amazing. Your instructions are spot on and easy to follow which is something I always appreciate. I am now making some coasters using your instructions of the placemats, ending with row 5 and they are perfect!
What does TRIM means and what stitch or chain to join.
Hi Sackina,
The TRIM instructions can be found about the 2nd to last photo but I have also copied them over below:
With the Contrast Color, join to any stitch or space and chain 2. Make a half double crochet into each stitch and space around the edge of the placemat. Join to second chain of beginning chain with a slip stitch.
Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Gavriella
I have just made this pattern for fun with some leftover cotton yarn, what yarn do you recommend other than Cascade? This is a wonderful pattern and I wish to make these for myself! Thanks for such a wonderful website.
Hi Leigh Anne,
Glad to hear you’re a fan of this pattern! It looks like the original yarn was DK weight, so I’d recommend using one of our other DK weight yarns. Serif or Cotton Chirp in particular would be wonderful choices!
All the best,
Lili
What color yarns you use to make granny circle placemats and how many rows you do and where do you join a single crochet in what space or stitch.
Hi Sackina,
Thank you for asking! You can find the exact yarns we used in this project under the materials section of the pattern. We crocheted 18 rounds not including the outside contrasting color!
Happy making,
Gavriella