Funky placemats

Are you on the hunt for the perfect placemat set? We’ve got the solution – make your own!

These easy-to-knit mats with a lace edge are simple enough for most knitters, but interesting enough to keep you on your toes!

YARN AND OTHER MATERIALS

■ Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK (75 per cent extra fine merino wool,

20 per cent silk, 5 per cent cashmere) light worsted (DK) yarn

■ 2x1¾oz/50g balls (254yd/232m) each of 124 Splash (A) and 162 Pinkaboo (B)

NEEDLES AND EQUIPMENT

■ Size 5mm (US 8) knitting needles

■ Yarn sewing needle

TENSION

16 sts and 28 rows in garter stitch to a 10cm (4in) square on 5mm (US 8) needles using yarn double.

MEASUREMENTS Measures approx 30cm (12in) in diameter.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN… St(s)-stitch(es); K-knit; LH-left hand; rem-remaining; yo-yarn over; rep-repeat; S1-slip one, slip a stitch onto the righthand needle without knitting it

PLACEMAT

Cast on 20 sts in

A or B using yarn double.

Row 1: K.

Row 2 (RS): K2, yo, k17, turn (1 st rem on LH needle). Row 3: S1, k to end. (21 sts) Row 4: K2, yo, k17, turn (2 sts rem on LH needle).

Row 5: S1, k to end. (22 sts) Row 6: K2, yo, k17, turn (3 sts rem on LH needle).

Row 7: S1, k to end. (23 sts) Row 8: K2, yo, k17, turn (4 sts rem on LH needle).

Row 9: S1, K to end. (24 sts) Row 10: Cast off 4 sts (1 st rem on RH needle), k1, yo, k13, turn (5 sts rem on LH needle).

Row 11: S1, k to end. (21 sts) Row 12: K2, yo, k13, turn (6 sts rem on LH needle).

Row 13: S1, k to end. (22 sts) Row 14: K2, yo, k13, turn (7 sts rem on LH needle).

Row 15: S1, k to end. (23 sts) Row 16: K2, yo, k13, turn

(8 sts rem on LH needle). Row 17: S1, k to end. (24 sts) Row 18: Cast off 4 sts, k to end. (20 sts)

Rep last 18 rows 7 times more.

Row 1: K.

Row 2 (RS): K2, yo, k17, turn. (1 st rem on LH needle)

Row 3: S1, k to end. (21 sts) Row 4: K2, yo, k17, turn. (2 sts rem on LH needle)

Row 5: S1, k to end. (22 sts) Row 6: K2, yo, k17, turn. (3 sts rem on LH needle)

Row 7: S1, k to end. (23 sts) Row 8: K2, yo, k17, turn. (4 sts rem on LH needle)

Row 9: S1, k to end. (24 sts) Row 10: Cast off

4 sts (1 st rem on RH needle), k1, yo, k13, turn. (5 sts rem on LH needle)

Row 11: S1, k to end. (21 sts) Row 12: K2, yo, k13, turn. (6 sts rem on LH needle)

Row 13: S1, k to end. (22 sts) Row 14: K2, yo, k13, turn. (7 sts rem on LH needle)

Row 15: S1, k to end. (23 sts) Row 16: K2, yo, k13, turn. (8 sts rem on LH needle)

Row 17: S1, k to end. (24 sts) Cast off.

MAKE UP AND FINISH

■ Join the cast-on and castoff edges of the placemat using flat stitch.

■ Soak mat thoroughly in lukewarm water, squeeze out excess, shape mat and dry flat.