Ready, Set Placemats
When you’re seated around a pretty table, something electric happens. The conversation is livelier, the food is yummier, the meal is more memorable. Double that phenomenon with made-by-you Ready, Set Placemats!
We knit these up in linen stitch, our very favorite stitch for housewares. Flat and super sturdy, linen stitch also has a smooth woven appearance on one side and a wonderfully nubble-y one on the other. It always lends a vintage textile vibe that makes us feel right at home.
A lovely choice with linen stitch? Linen, of course! Here, we used our gorgeous Blackbird Linen. One hundred percent French linen, it is a sport-slash-light worsted weight with a slightly rustic spin and very subtle shine. It is also machine washable and exceptionally tough for the hard work of keeping a good table!
To keep the conversation going, we made each placemat unique, using a palette of silver and flax with a mix of watery blues in four different layouts. Do the same or simplify… Either way, handmade Ready, Set Placemats set you up for a very special meal!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!
Share your progress + connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoReadySetPlacemats, and #PurlSohoBlackbirdLinen. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Plates are courtesy of The Primary Essentials. Shown here are the Gloss Grey Plate 04 from Hasami Porcelain and also, in the corner of one photo, the Sylvia Oatmeal Salad Plate from Eric Bonnin. Thank you to The Primary Essentials!
Materials
To make one placemat, you’ll need…
- Color A: 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Blackbird Linen, 100% linen. Each skein is 175 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 87 (166, 158, 127) yards required for Layout 1 (2, 3, 4) (see Notes, below, for explanation of Layouts).
- Color B: 1 skein of Blackbird Linen. Approximately 148 (71, 83, 106) yards required for Layout 1 (2, 3, 4).
- US 7 (4.5mm), straight or 24-inch circular needles
NOTE: To make four placemats in all four layouts using just two colors, you’ll need 6 total skeins: 3 skeins of each color. Or to make the same set we did, pick up one of each of the following colors…
Layout 1 (see Choose A Layout, below, for images): Color A, Ink Blue; Color B, Trowel Gray
Layout 2: Color A, Natural Flax; Color B, Galapagos Teal
Layout 3: Color A, Silver Thistle; Color B, Electric Blue
Layout 4: Color A, Blue Heron; Color B, Queen Anne’s Lace
Gauge
24 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches in linen stitch
Size
Finished Dimensions: Approximately 18 inches wide x 13 inches high
Notes
Choose A Layout
Layout 1: Top left; Layout 2: Top right
Layout 3: Bottom left; Layout 4: Bottom Right
Decide which Layout you’d like to knit, then follow the instructions for that Layout. They are written as Layout 1 (Layout 2, Layout 3, Layout 4). So, if you’re making Layout 2 for example, follow all the instructions that are first in the parentheses (just like you do for sizes in most other knitting patterns!).
Slip Stitches
Slip all slipped stitches purlwise, unless pattern indicates otherwise.
Linen Stitch Pattern
Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 (see Note, above) with yarn in front (wyif), *k1, slip 1 wyif, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise wyif, *p1, slip 1 with yarn in back (wyib), repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Pattern
Cast On + Set Up
With Color A, cast on 78 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): Slip 1 (see Notes) knitwise with yarn in front (wyif), *p1, slip 1 with yarn in back (wyib), repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Continue
Continuing with Color A, repeat Rows 1 and 2 of Linen Stitch Pattern (see Notes) for 3 (6, 1, 1) inch(es) (see Choose A Layout in Notes for explanation of these measurements), ending with Row 2.
Cut Color A.
Join Color B, repeat Rows 1 and 2 of Linen Stitch Pattern for 7 (1, 4, 6) inch(es), ending with Row 2.
Cut Color B.
Join Color A, repeat Rows 1 and 2 of Linen Stitch Pattern for 3 (6, 11, 9) inches, ending with Row 2.
Cut Color A.
Join Color B, repeat Rows 1 and 2 of Linen Stitch Pattern for 5 (5, 2, 2) inches, ending with Row 2.
Bind Off
With the right side facing you, bind off in Linen Stitch. Here’s how…
K2, pass first stitch over, *slip 1 purlwise wyif, pass stitch over, k1, pass stitch over, repeat from * to end of row.
Cut yarn and pull tail through last stitch.
Finishing
Weave in the ends and wet block, if desired.
Thanks for the pattern!
Wondering about Natural Flax and Warm Copper together. Seems like combination would work but hard to tell on line.
Hi Anne,
Thanks for reaching out! I think that Warm Copper and Natural Flax would look beautiful together! They are both warm tones and the vibrancy of the Warm Copper will be a beautiful pairing with the neutral shade of Natural Flax. I would love to see the Ready, Set Placemats worked up in this combination!
I hope this helps, and please let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Kelsey
Beautiful yarn indeed and very cool stitch , although do I understand the pattern correctly that each mat requires 2 skeins? Thus table set for 6 would be nearly $300?
Hi Caroline,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, that is correct, you will need 2 skeins (one of each color) to complete 1 placemat, to make four placemats in all four layouts using just two colors, you’ll need 6 total skeins: 3 skeins of each color.
Warmly,
Gianna
Lovely, wish I could make all these beautiful linens. your patterns are always simple and elegant.
Regarding the placemats, the yarn calls for size 3 needle but the pattern size 7. Just curious. Will the weave be more
Open? The gauge looks like the normal gauge for a
Size 3 or4 needle.
Thanks. Pete
Hi Peter,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, for Blackbird Linen we suggest using a US 3-5 needle, however, these placemats are worked in linen stitch which is a very dense stitch. So as a rule of thumb, we always go up in needle size for linen stitch, regardless of the recommended needle size for the yarn being used! If you were to use a US 3-5 with this yarn, working this stitch, it would be extremely dense and pretty difficult to knit. So it may look a bit odd but the gauge is totally accurate on a US 7 when working a dense stitch like this!
I hope this clears things up!
Gianna
I’d like to make a set of four placemats all in layout 2, using Natural Flax as shown, but substituting Warm Copper for the Galapogos Teal. Will three skeins of each color be enough?
Hi Katherine,
Thanks for reaching out! That will be a beautiful color combination! For one placemat in layout 2, you need 166 yards of A and 71 yards of B, so for four placemats, you need 664 yards of A and 142 yards of B! Total that would be 4 skeins of Color A (Natural Flax), and 2 skeins of Color B (Warm Copper!)
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
Would there be another stitch pattern that I could make these out of. It will take me months just to do one!!
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for reaching out! I totally understand what you mean! Linen stitch can be quite time-consuming, I would suggest using seed stitch instead! Just be sure to start off by working a gauge swatch to determine your cast on amount!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Seed stitch is just as bad!! Anything else that would work?
Hi Barbara,
Garter stitch is another great option for placements, but if you go this route, I would recommend using a yarn that lays more flat and has good drape, so that the ridges in garter stitch do not create too much of an uneven surface for your dishes! Blackbird Linen, when blocked, would be a good candidate for this, as would our Cotton Pure.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Thank you! Garter stitch is good for me. I am a slow knitter so the other stitches would take me months just to do one placemat!! Would I still use a size 3 needle ?
You are very welcome, Barbara! I’m glad to hear garter stitch is a good route for you, and you can use whatever needle size you like! I suggest making a few swatches with your yarn on different size needles to see what you like best.
Happy knitting!
Margaret
Beautiful! I was just wondering what the stitch multiple (i.e. even, 2+1, etc.) is to change the dimensions of the placemats? Thank you!
Hi Jamyleia,
Thanks for reaching out! This stitch pattern works over an even multiple of stitches!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi, love the pattern. Wondering if I can make these place mats into a table runner? I love your web site
Mekkin
Hi Mekkin,
Thanks for reaching out! I think making this pattern into a table runner is a fantastic idea! If you like the height of the placemats as is (13″) you can cast on the same number of stitches and then simply work in the stitch pattern until you have reached your desired length (depending on the length of your table.) Or if you would like to adjust the width to be wider or more narrow you can adjust the number of stitches you cast on, just be sure to keep an even number of stitches for the stitch pattern to work successfully!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions and keep us updated with how this works out!
Gianna
Do you think this yarn would also be a good choice for woven placemats?
Hi Collette,
Thanks for writing in! I think the Blackbird Linen would work great for woven placemats!
Please let us know how this works out, happy crafting!
Gianna
If I wanted to make a table runner 72″ wide x 13″ high, the size of four placemats combined, in one color, how many skeins would I need? Thank you!
Hi Deb,
Thanks for reaching out! I think a table runner would be amazing! If you plan on doing it in one color you would need 6 skeins, approximately 960 yards total!
I hope this helps and please let us know how this turns out!
Gianna
How does blackbird linen compare with field linen? I am currently using the latter in a project and find it difficult to knit with.
Hi Glenna,
Thanks for reaching out! Blackbird Linen and Field Linen are compatible in the fact that they are both 100% linen yarns and come in the same color selection! However they are quite a bit different, Blackbird Linen is a light worsted/dk or sportweight while Field Linen is a fingering weight. Field linen is also composed of 3 strands more loosly spun together while Blackbird Linen is composed of 6 strands that are tightly spun together, this makes the yarn a bit more sturdy and less prone to splitting, which can be pretty common with the Field Linen.
I have been working with Blackbird Linen recently and have honestly enjoyed it, and I find it much easier to work with!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
Would cotton pure work for this?
Hi Kim,
Thanks for reaching out! Cotton Pure would be an excellent option for this pattern! The gauge should be similar, but I do recommend working a gauge swatch prior to beginning to ensure you are consistent with the pattern!
Please let us know how this turns out, happy knitting!
Gianna
So hard to tell colours on the computer screen. My kitchen has soft teal accents. I love the deep teal in your linen and am wondering how it would look with Queen Anne’s lace. would that be too much of a contrast. I also have white china and brown china and lots f wood tones in my room.
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for reaching out! The teal shade is so beautiful and I think it would look pretty amazing with Queen Anne’s Lace! Since Queen Anne’s Lace is a pretty bright white it would be a beautiful and striking contrast, but I don’t think it would be too much! I think these shades would also compliment the rest of the white and wood tones! Also just to note, if using Galapagos Teal, Ink Blue, or Bottle Green with lighter colors, you should soak them first in a vinegar and cold water bath to remove excess dye as we have experienced a bit of bleeding with these colors.
Please let us know how this turns out!
Gianna
Thank you so much for the awesome pattern❤️ Jacquie
I love these but I’m so sorry I’m not clear on how much yarn I need to order for four placemats of the same layout. Do I need four skeins of each color? Thanks!
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for reaching out! To make four placemats in all four layouts using just two colors, you’ll need 6 total skeins: 3 skeins of each color! However, if you and planning on making them all in the same layout, the amounts are a bit different and each layout has slightly different yardage requirements (you can find the yardage requirements for each layout in the MATERIALS section of the pattern!)
If you would like, please let me know which of the layouts you are interested in and I can provide the yardage and skein amounts for that pattern!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
If making a set of 4 or 6, how much yarn does one need if two colors only are used. Thank you.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for reaching out! To make four placemats in all four layouts using just two colors, you’ll need 6 total skeins: 3 skeins of each color! However, if you plan on making them all in the same layout the amounts are a bit different as some of the layouts use more than the others. If you are planning on making just one layout for all of the placemats, you can let me know which layout you are interested in and I will give you the exact amount for that pattern!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
How many skeins would I need for 2 placemats using Layout 2? Thank you.
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for reaching out! For two placemats in Layout 2, you would need 2 skeins of Color A and one skein of Color B!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
Can’t wait to get started on these! Just ordered some fall colors! Will be such a nice casual look for the table! I’m guessing with the two colors, you could get creating with the stripes and don’t really have to follow the pattern layout, making the stripes any width you choose? Might even get some yarn to make a table runner! Looks like a nice quick and relaxing pattern. Thank you!
Hi Kerry,
Thanks for reaching out! Fall colors would be so lovely with these designs, which colors did you end up going with? And yes, that’s correct! You can totally come up with your won striping pattern and play around with different combinations! I think this would also be so much fun as a table runner.
Please let us know how these turn out and let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
How many skeins of the teal and flax colors would I need if I make 4 placemats with the pattern shown in the picture with those colors?
Also, I’ve never used circular needles. Is there any difference using straight needles versus circular?
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for reaching out! That color combination is for layout 2, for one you need 166 yards of A and 71 yards of B, so for four placemats, you need 664 yards of A and 142 yards of B! Total that would be 4 skeins of Color A (Natural Flax), and 2 skeins of Color B (Galapagos Teal!)
Also, circular needles are actually not much different than straight needles in the way they work (you knit the exact same way you would with circular needles as you do with straight needles) except that they are joined and not separate! Once they switch, most people actually find that circular needles are much more comfortable and easier to work with than straight needles!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
I love the linen stitch has anyone there attempted an oval placemat?
I have chosen Layout 3. The directions say cast on with Color A but the picture shows I should start with the Blue which is considered color B.
How do I do this? Make B the A and A Blue?
Thank you
C Tierney
Hi Caroline,
Thanks for reaching out! If you want your finished placemat to look the same as the photos on the project page, then you’ll want to follow the directions in the pattern as written with Silver Thistle as Color A and Electric Blue as Color B. It can be a little confusing when looking at the photos because your eye naturally wants to track from left to right, but the pattern actually has you cast on at the right side of the mat (the side in Silver Thistle) and work up (or to the left) from there. I found it helpful to visualize the pattern by looking at the sample placemat from right to left, rather than from left to right.
I hope this helps clarify things, and please let us know if you have any other questions!
Warmly,
Kelsey
My wrong side initial slip stitches look really sloppy – what’s the best way to avoid that? Thanks!
Hi Hillary,
Thanks for writing in! We’ve found the key to neat edges is making sure you’re both consistent with your tension and checking that you’re holding the yarn either to the front or back as specified each time. It’s pretty common for things to look off by reversing the order even once so I’d recommend being careful of that, double checking that all slip stitches are being slipped purlwise, and pulling a little tighter than you have been when you begin your wrong sides.
I hope that helps! Please let us know if you continue to have any trouble though.
All the best,
Zha Zha
As an addendum to my last comment, it’s recently come to our attention that there was a mistake in this pattern which was causing the edge on the right side to look like a stockinette stitch, but the wrong side to look like a garter stitch. We’re so sorry for the confusion and have updated the instructions in row 2 so the linen stitch will be correct going forward!
For quick reference that should now say, “Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise wyif, *p1, slip 1 with yarn in back (wyib), repeat from * to last stitch, k1.” and the earlier note about slip stitches should now say, “Slip all slipped stitches purlwise, unless pattern indicates otherwise.”
I hope that helps clear up the wrong side of your edges now!
All the best,
Zha Zha
Hi, so, I’d I want to knit just two placemats -Layout 1 & 2. How much yarn do I need? Thanks.
Barbara
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for reaching out! For placemats 1 and 2 you will need 4 skeins total, 2 for the main color and 2 for the contrasting color!
Warmly,
Gianna
Thank you Gianna. I think I will wait until there is a 15% sale on Purl Soho’s yarn.
Could these be made using seed stitch instead of linen stitch? Thank you!
Hi Linda,
Thanks for writing in. You could absolutely make these placemats in seed stitch instead of linen stitch! You may just have to adjust the number of stitches you cast-on, since seed stitch knits up very differently than linen stitch. To figure out your new cast-on number, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in seed stitch (if you need help with this step, please visit our tutorial). Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the width of the pattern (in this case, 13 inches) and then cast on the resulting number of stitches! Hope this helps.
All the best,
Lili
These look a little misshapen when I’m done. What is the
best way to block these so they lay flat and straight?
Hi Amy,
Thanks for reaching out. I would recommend wet blocking the placemats and laying them flat to dry! You can even line up the edges straight and use pins to hold the shape as they dry. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hello
I’m planning to make the placemats in Queen Anne’s Lace and Carnelian Orange. Do you think the Carnelian Orange needs to be soaked first in vinegar? And if yes, is the idea to soak it first before knitting the placemat? Or after it’s knitted?
Thank you!
Anjali
Hi Anjali,
Thanks for writing in! Since Carnelian Orange is a more saturated color, I would recommend taking the precaution of soaking the yarn in a vinegar and cold water bath to remove excess dye. You will want to do this while the yarn is still in a skein, before winding into a ball, and before knitting the placemats!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Thank you for this lovely pattern, I wanted to know how to you join two colors? how do you make it coincide with that change, if it is not well done it is too obvious. Any tips would be appreciated.
Hi Marina,
Thanks for writing in. When joining the new color, all you’ll need to do is just start knitting with the new yarn on the indicated row! This might look a little messy at first, since it’s difficult to get the tension right for the first few stitches, but you can easily even this out when you weave in your ends. Just remember to weave in each end on the wrong side of its respective color section!
All the best,
Lili
Hi,
When binding off, the pattern says slip 1 purlwisw waif, pass stitch over….do I move the yarn to the back before I slip the stitch over or after when I am ready for the k1 stitch?
Thanks.
Joan
Hi Joan,
Good question! Yes, I would recommend moving the yarn to the back before passing the slipped stitch over. It won’t make a visible difference to the bind-off edge, but it will make it easier to maneuver!
All the best,
Lili
Thanks!
Because of the contrast in color the instructions suggest the fiber should be washed before using. I’ve never done this and wondered if you have any suggestions?
Hi Joanne,
Thanks for reaching out! We do recommend giving your Blackbird Linen a good soak if you are using two highly contrasting colors together in order to avoid any color transfer later on. To do this, you can fill a small basin with cool water and add 2 tablespoons of vinegar, then leave the yarn to sit for about 15 minutes before gently rinsing the yarn and laying it flat to dry! It’s best to wash each colorway separately before use.
I hope this helps, and please let us know if you have any questions!
All the best,
Carly
Hi
Could you use Blackbird Linen for the Slip Stitch Summer Cowl?
3 skeins and what size needle?
I love the different color choices. If it is too thick and heavy could you suggest a flat knitted scarf? Thank you so much your help is much appreciated. Love your yarns and patterns are wonderful!
Hi Pam,
Thanks for reaching out. You can absolutely use Blackbird Linen for the Slip Stitch Summer Cowl! Since this pattern was originally written for a thinner yarn though, you would just need to adjust the number of stitches you cast on to begin.
To figure out your cast-on number, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern. Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the width that you would like and cast on the nearest even number. Then you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili
Thanks so much for your help, it is most appreciated.
why am I having such a hard time with this cast off? do you have a delmo of it?
Thank’s Trudy
Hi Trudy,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m afraid that we do not have a tutorial for binding off in linen stitch. We’re sorry about that! Here’s a tip that might help make it easier to do though: You can conceptualize it as essentially working linen stitch as normal, but at the same time, slipping the stitches over and off the needle, as you would for a normal bind-off. I hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Lili
I love these patterns but even with the sale, the cost of the yarn is a little more than I want to spend on this project. Can you recommend a more budget-friendly yarn for these placemats? Thanks!
Melissa
Hi Melissa!
Thank you for writing in. We completely understand being interested in a more affordable yarn for this project, and I’m happy to recommend Cotton Pure instead of Blackbird Linen! Cotton Pure is thinner than Blackbird Linen, so you may need to cast on more stitches to achieve the same width of the placemat. It is also machine washable and would be a great option for this project; it is currently on sale for under $15 a skein, too!
All the best,
Margaret
I would like to make a table runner and I understand 6 skeins would work for it. I also would like to make a “bed” runner. The bed runner would be 20 x 90. How many skeins of yarn would I need for that. Also, since I want to be able to machine wash and dry them can I use Santolina with the linen stitch.
Hi Donna,
Thanks for reaching out. Since you want to use Santolina, instead of Blackbird Linen for your project, you would need a different amount of skeins for both the table runner and the bed runner! You would need 7 skeins of Santolina to make a 20 x 90 inch bed runner, and if you’d like to make a table runner that’s also 13 by 72 inches, then you would need 4 skeins of Santolina. Hope this helps you plan your projects!
All the best,
Lili
Hi, If I use the Blackbird Linen how many skeins will I need for the 20 x 90 inch bed runner and the 13 by 72 table runner.
Hi Donna,
For a 20 x 90 inch bed runner, you would need 11 skeins of Blackbird Linen, and for a 13 x 72 inch table runner, you would need 6 skeins!
All the best,
Lili
I started a placemat but I have a pronounced ridge at the beginning (2nd row?) I did conventional cast-on vs long-tail, is that why? Or is it something else??? 2nd question: you mention vinegar bath for the dark colors before knitting; are the instructions for that on your website somewhere? Thank you!
Hi Tacy,
Thanks for reaching out, although I’m sorry to hear that you’ve encountered something unexpected in your project! Would you be able to send a photo of your work to customerservice@purlsoho.com? That way, we’ll be able to visualize what’s going on!
In the meantime, yes, we do have a tutorial on re-fixing dye! You can find it right here. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hi! Just a quick question about the pattern. For row 1, it says: «Slip 1 (see Note, above) with yarn in front (wyif), *k1, slip 1 wyif, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.». Could it be written: «*slip 1 wyif, k1*» instead?
I’m wondering if I’m missing a subtlety in the instructions?
Thanks for the pattern, it is beautiful!
Hi Marianne,
Thanks for writing in! You’re totally correct, this line could have been simplified and written as you suggested. I believe that we decided to write in in the way we did in order to match the formatting of Row 2. That just makes both rows more easy to conceptualize as a pair!
All the best,
Lili
Hi,
I’ve really been enjoying knitting up the A layout, but have realised that my gauge is all wrong, and that with the 78 cast on stitches I only have a width (height ) of 11 inches, so the proportions look wrong. Do you think it would be better to use a bigger needle or to cast on more stitches?
Thank you so much
Elise
Hi Elise,
Thanks for reaching out, although I’m sorry to hear that your gauge is off! I’d recommend sizing up your needle so that you can achieve the correct gauge. You could add more stitches, but that will use up more yarn, and you might run out before finishing the placemats. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Can you please explain how to join a new color in this pattern?
Hi Cameron,
Thanks for reaching out. To switch to a new color, all you need to do is begin knitting the next row with it–no special techniques!
All the best,
Lili