Checkerboard Placemats Free Crochet Pattern
There is something deeply satisfying about setting a table with handmade pieces you created yourself. When the placemats are crocheted in a classic checkerboard design, that satisfaction doubles. The pattern is timeless, the technique is approachable, and the finished result looks far more polished than the effort required to make it. Whether you are a beginner who has mastered the basics or an experienced crocheter looking for a practical project, this checkerboard placemat pattern is one you will want to keep in your collection forever.
In this post, you will find everything you need to make a full set of four placemats: materials, gauge, stitch explanations, step-by-step instructions, and tips for customizing the design to fit your home. Best of all, this pattern is completely free.
Why Checkerboard Placemats Are Worth Making
Before diving into the pattern itself, it is worth talking about why this particular design deserves a spot in your crochet queue. Checkerboard patterns have been used in textiles for centuries, and there is a good reason they have never gone out of style. The alternating blocks create visual interest without requiring complex stitchwork, and the two-color design gives you endless flexibility when it comes to matching your existing table decor.
From a practical standpoint, crocheted cotton placemats are genuinely useful. They protect your table from heat, scratches, and spills, and unlike woven placemats, they have a slight grip that keeps plates and glasses from sliding around. Cotton yarn is also machine washable in most cases, which means these placemats can handle daily use without becoming a laundry nightmare.
Making your own placemats is also significantly more affordable than purchasing quality handmade ones. A set of four can be made for the cost of a few skeins of cotton yarn, and when you factor in the meditative enjoyment of the crocheting process itself, the value becomes even clearer.
Materials You Will Need
To make four checkerboard placemats in the standard size of approximately 12 by 18 inches, you will need the following:
Yarn: 100% cotton worsted weight yarn in two contrasting colors. You will need roughly 200 yards of Color A and 200 yards of Color B per placemat, so plan on approximately 800 yards of each color for a set of four. Popular choices include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Cotton Classic, and Drops Paris. These yarns wash well and come in a wide range of colors.
Hook: A size 5.0mm (H/8) crochet hook works well with most worsted weight cotton yarns. If you tend to crochet loosely, try a 4.5mm hook instead to keep the fabric from becoming too floppy.
Notions: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a ruler or measuring tape for checking your gauge.
Optional: Stitch markers to help keep count during the first few rows.
Gauge
Gauge matters more with placemats than it might with a scarf or hat because you want the finished size to be consistent across the whole set. Aim for 16 stitches and 18 rows equaling 4 inches in single crochet using your chosen yarn and hook.
To check your gauge, make a small swatch at least 5 inches wide and 5 inches tall. Allow it to relax for a few minutes after removing it from the hook, then measure the center section. If your swatch is smaller than the target gauge, move up a hook size. If it is larger, move down.
It is worth taking the time to check gauge before starting. A placemat that is an inch narrower than intended looks noticeably off when placed alongside others made to the correct size.
Stitch Abbreviations
This pattern uses only a few basic stitches, making it excellent for beginners while remaining enjoyable for more experienced crocheters.
ch — chain
sc — single crochet
sl st — slip stitch
st — stitch
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
The checkerboard effect in this pattern is created by working some sections in single crochet through the front loop only and some through the back loop only. When you work into the front loop only, the unused back loop creates a raised horizontal line. When an entire block is worked this way, alternating with blocks worked normally, the visual contrast of the checkerboard comes to life even when you are using a single color. This pattern uses two colors to push that contrast further, but the technique is worth understanding on its own.
Pattern Notes
This placemat is worked flat, starting with a foundation chain and working in rows. The checkerboard is created by alternating blocks of Color A and Color B across rows, then shifting the placement of those blocks in the next set of rows to create the staggered checkerboard effect.
Each block in this pattern is 6 stitches wide and 6 rows tall. The placemat is 12 blocks wide and 6 blocks tall, giving you a finished piece with 72 stitches across and 36 rows in height. At the suggested gauge, this produces a placemat approximately 18 inches wide and 12 inches tall — a classic rectangular proportion that works well for most dinner plates.
When changing colors, carry the unused yarn loosely along the side of your work rather than cutting it after every block. This reduces the number of ends you need to weave in and keeps the edges neater. If you prefer cleaner color management, you can cut and rejoin colors at each block change, but be prepared for a significant amount of finishing work.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Foundation: Using Color A, chain 75. This gives you 72 working stitches plus a turning chain.
Row 1 (RS): Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc in each ch across. You should have 72 sc. Turn. This row establishes your foundation and does not yet show the checkerboard.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Work 6 sc in Color A, then switch to Color B and work 6 sc, then switch back to Color A for 6 sc, and continue alternating in this way across the row. You will complete 12 blocks of 6 stitches, 6 in Color A and 6 in Color B alternating. Turn.
To change colors cleanly, insert your hook into the last stitch of the current color block, pull up a loop, then drop the working yarn and pick up the new color to complete the stitch. This method produces tidy color joins without any gaps or loose floats.
Rows 3 through 6: Continue as established, keeping the same color alignment as Row 2. Each block remains its assigned color for a full 6 rows. At the end of Row 6, you have completed the first tier of checkerboard squares.
Row 7: Begin the second tier. Now shift the color placement so that blocks that were Color A in the first tier become Color B, and vice versa. The easiest way to do this is to simply start Row 7 with Color B for the first 6 stitches, then switch to Color A for the next 6, and continue alternating. The result is that the colors now line up in the opposite positions from the first tier, creating the classic checkerboard offset.
Rows 7 through 12: Work as established in Row 7, maintaining the shifted color alignment for 6 full rows.
Rows 13 through 18: Return to the original color placement from Rows 1 through 6. Start with Color A.
Rows 19 through 24: Shift again, starting with Color B, as in Rows 7 through 12.
Rows 25 through 30: Return to the original placement, starting with Color A.
Rows 31 through 36: Shift again, starting with Color B.
After Row 36, fasten off both colors and weave in all ends securely.
Adding a Border
A border does two important things: it neatens the edges of the placemat and adds a polished, finished look that elevates the whole piece. For this pattern, a simple single crochet border works beautifully without competing with the checkerboard design.
After weaving in all ends, rejoin Color A at any corner of the placemat. Work a round of single crochet all the way around the perimeter, placing 3 sc in each corner stitch to allow the fabric to lie flat around the turns. When you reach your starting point, slip stitch to join and fasten off.
For a slightly more decorative look, try a reverse single crochet border (also called crab stitch) after the first plain round. Reverse single crochet is worked from left to right instead of right to left, and it creates a neat twisted rope-like edge that is surprisingly simple once you get the rhythm of it.
If you want to use both colors in the border, try working the first round in Color A and the second in Color B. This frames the placemat nicely and ties the colors together along the edge.
Finishing and Care Instructions
Once your border is complete and all ends are woven in, it is time to block the placemat. Blocking cotton projects is highly recommended because it helps even out the stitches, relaxes the fabric, and allows the placemat to lie perfectly flat on the table.
To wet block, soak the finished placemat in cool water for 10 to 15 minutes until it is thoroughly saturated. Gently squeeze out the excess water without wringing, then lay the placemat flat on a clean towel or foam blocking mat. Use your hands to shape it to the desired dimensions, pulling gently at the edges to straighten any waviness. Pin the corners and edges if needed, and allow it to air dry completely before using or storing.
For everyday care, machine wash cotton placemats in cold water on a gentle cycle. Lay flat to dry or tumble dry on low heat. Avoid high heat in the dryer, which can cause cotton to shrink and distort the shape over time. With proper care, these placemats will hold their size, color, and texture through years of regular use.
Customization Ideas
One of the best things about this pattern is how easily it adapts to different styles and preferences. Here are some ways to make it your own.
Change the block size. If you prefer a more subtle checkerboard, try using 4-stitch by 4-row blocks instead of 6 by 6. For a bolder, oversized look, go with 8 by 8 blocks. Just adjust your starting chain to match — for 4-stitch blocks, chain 49 for 12 blocks; for 8-stitch blocks, chain 97.
Use a single color. The texture of the checkerboard can also be achieved with one color by working alternating blocks in the front loop only and back loop only as mentioned in the stitch notes. The result is a subtler, tone-on-tone checkerboard that is very elegant and works beautifully with neutral yarns.
Add a third color. Rather than a standard two-color checkerboard, try using three colors in a rotating sequence. This creates a more playful, modern look that works well for casual dining or children’s table settings.
Try different yarn weights. A DK weight cotton yarn will produce a slightly more lightweight placemat with a finer texture. Bulky cotton will make a thicker, more substantial mat. Just remember to adjust your hook size and stitch count accordingly.
Make a matching table runner. Use the same pattern and simply increase the number of blocks. For a table runner approximately 12 inches by 48 inches, work the same 36-row height but chain 193 for a foundation of 192 stitches (32 blocks of 6 stitches each). The pattern repeats perfectly.
Skill Building Benefits of This Pattern
Beyond the practical outcome of beautiful placemats, this pattern is a wonderful skill-building exercise. Working in two colors simultaneously across long rows helps you develop clean color-change technique, which is a foundational skill for more complex colorwork projects like tapestry crochet and intarsia. Managing two yarn sources without tangling is a bit of a puzzle at first, but after just a few rows it becomes second nature.
The repetitive nature of the pattern also trains your hands to maintain consistent tension, which is something that improves every project you make afterward. Many crocheters report that their tension noticeably improved after working through a project like this one, because the grid-like structure makes uneven tension very visible — and that visibility is exactly the kind of feedback that leads to improvement.
Setting the Table With Handmade Pieces
There is a quiet joy in setting a table with objects you have made yourself. A set of handmade checkerboard placemats says something about the care you bring to everyday moments. They make an ordinary Tuesday dinner feel a little more intentional, and they make a holiday table feel genuinely special in a way that store-bought linens rarely achieve.
These placemats also make wonderful gifts. A set of four tied together with a ribbon or tucked into a gift basket alongside some nice tea towels and a candle makes a thoughtful, personal present for a housewarming, wedding shower, or holiday. When you give something you made by hand, you are giving not just an object but the time and attention that went into it.
If you are working on building your crochet portfolio or thinking about selling at craft fairs or online, functional items like placemats are consistently strong sellers. Buyers respond to the practicality and the visible craftsmanship of a well-made cotton placemat, especially when the design is as classic and versatile as a checkerboard.
Final Thoughts
This checkerboard placemat pattern proves that you do not need complicated stitches or specialty yarn to create something genuinely lovely. With basic single crochet, two colors of cotton yarn, and a little patience for color changes, you can produce a set of placemats that will grace your table for years to come.
Work through your first one and notice how quickly the rhythm takes over. By the time you finish the second tier of squares, you will be well into the comfortable flow of the pattern, and the remaining rows will fly by. Block it, border it, and set it on your table with something delicious on top.
Then cast on the next one, because four always looks better than one.
Happy crocheting.
