Scallops Rectangular Placemat — Free Crochet Pattern

There is something quietly satisfying about setting a table with handmade pieces. Before a single dish arrives, before anyone sits down, the table already tells a story. A crocheted placemat does this better than almost anything else — it brings texture, warmth, and the kind of careful imperfection that only comes from making something by hand. This scallops rectangular placemat pattern is one of those projects that looks far more complex than it actually is. The scalloped edge is a classic detail that elevates even the simplest cotton yarn into something that feels considered and beautiful, and the rectangular format means it works for everything from everyday family dinners to a dressed-up holiday table.

Whether you are just getting comfortable with basic crochet stitches or you have been crocheting for years and want a satisfying weekend project, this pattern is designed with you in mind. It is written out fully, with explanations for each row and tips along the way to help you get an even, professional-looking result. Best of all, it is completely free.

Let us get into it.

Why Scallops?

The scallop edging is one of the most beloved finishing techniques in crochet, and for good reason. The gentle, repeating curves create a border that feels soft and organic rather than rigid and sharp. When that scallop pattern is worked not just along the border but throughout the body of the placemat itself, the result is something truly special — a fabric that has rhythm and movement, that catches the light differently from every angle.

Scallop stitches are also surprisingly sturdy. Because the pattern relies on groupings of double crochet stitches fanned out from a central point, the finished fabric has good body without being stiff. For a placemat, this matters. You want something that lies flat on the table, holds its shape through washing, and feels pleasant under a plate or a glass. This stitch delivers on all of those fronts.

There is also the question of adaptability. The scallop pattern works beautifully in almost any cotton or cotton-blend yarn, so you have enormous freedom when it comes to color. A set of white or cream placemats looks elegant and timeless. A set in a deep navy or sage green feels modern and intentional. And if you want to make a set of mismatched placemats in different colors but the same pattern, that cheerful approach works just as well.

Materials You Will Need

Before you begin, gather everything you need so that the crocheting itself can flow without interruption.

Yarn: Approximately 100–120 yards of worsted weight cotton yarn per placemat. 100% cotton is ideal because it is washable, heat-resistant, and gets softer with every wash. Good options include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Simply Cotton Worsted, or any similar yarn you already have in your stash.

Hook: A 5.0 mm (size H/8) crochet hook. You can adjust up or down by half a millimeter if your gauge is running tight or loose.

Notions: A tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a ruler or measuring tape.

Gauge: Approximately 14 stitches and 8 rows in double crochet = 4 inches (10 cm). Because this is a placemat and not a garment, gauge is not absolutely critical, but getting close will help you achieve the intended size.

Finished Size: Approximately 12 inches wide by 18 inches long (30 cm by 46 cm). This is a standard rectangular placemat size and fits well under a dinner plate with comfortable space on either side.

Abbreviations and Stitch Guide

This pattern uses US crochet terminology throughout.

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
dc — double crochet
sk — skip
sp — space
rep — repeat
st(s) — stitch(es)
RS — right side
WS — wrong side

Scallop Shell: Work 5 dc into the same stitch or space. This creates the rounded, fan-like shape that gives the pattern its name.

Pattern Notes

Read through all of the pattern notes before you begin. They will save you from having to stop mid-row to figure something out.

The foundation chain for this pattern is a multiple of 6 plus 2. This is what allows the scallop pattern to work out evenly across the row. If you want to adjust the width of your placemat, add or subtract in multiples of 6 stitches.

The scallop pattern creates a slightly stretchy fabric, so do not be alarmed if your work looks narrower than expected before blocking. A light blocking after finishing will open up the shells and even out the scalloped edge beautifully.

When working the scallop rows, pay attention to the “skip 2” instructions. These skipped stitches are what create the arch beneath each shell, giving the pattern its distinctive look. If you accidentally work into those stitches, the shells will look crowded and uneven.

Turn at the end of every row. The pattern is worked back and forth in rows, not in the round.

The Pattern

Foundation Chain

Chain 74. This gives you a foundation chain that will work out to a placemat approximately 18 inches long (the chain runs along the length of the placemat).

Row 1 (RS):

Starting in the 4th chain from the hook (the first 3 chains count as your first dc), work 1 dc into each chain across. You will have 72 dc total, counting the turning chain as the first dc. Turn.

Row 2 (WS):

Chain 3 (counts as first dc). Skip the first stitch (the base of the turning chain). Work 1 dc into each stitch across, working the last dc into the top of the turning chain from the previous row. You will have 72 dc. Turn.

Row 3 — Scallop Row (RS):

Chain 1. Work 1 sc into the first stitch. Skip 2 stitches, work a Scallop Shell (5 dc) into the next stitch, skip 2 stitches, work 1 sc into the next stitch. Repeat from to across. You will end with a sc in the last stitch. Turn.

You should have 12 complete scallop shells across this row, with a sc between each shell and at each end.

Row 4 (WS):

Chain 3 (counts as first dc). Work 2 dc into the first sc (this creates a half-shell at the edge). Skip 2 dc (the first two dc of the shell), work 1 sc into the 3rd dc of the shell (the center dc), skip 2 dc, work 5 dc into the sc between shells. Repeat from to across, ending with: skip 2 dc, work 1 sc into the 3rd dc of the last shell, skip 2 dc, work 3 dc into the final sc. Turn.

This row creates a staggered effect, offsetting the shells by half a repeat so the scallops nest into one another and build the fabric.

Row 5 (RS):

Chain 1. Work 1 sc into the first dc (of the half-shell). Skip 2 dc, work 5 dc into the next sc, skip 2 dc, work 1 sc into the center dc of the next shell. Repeat from to across, ending with: skip 2 dc, work 5 dc into the last sc, skip 2 dc, work 1 sc into the top of the turning chain. Turn.

Rows 6 through 21:

Repeat Rows 4 and 5 alternately until your placemat measures approximately 11 to 11.5 inches, ending after a Row 5 (RS row). You should have a total of roughly 10 to 11 full scallop-row pairs, though you can adjust this number based on your gauge and desired finished height.

Closing Rows:

Work 2 rows of plain double crochet across all stitches to create a smooth, stable top edge that mirrors the foundation at the bottom. To do this, chain 3 and work 1 dc into each stitch and the center of each scallop across the row. Because the scallop row has a variable stitch count, aim to place stitches evenly so that you return to approximately 72 dc across. Work one more dc row, then fasten off and weave in your ends.

The Border

The border is where this placemat truly comes to life. A well-worked scallop border ties the whole piece together and gives it that polished, finished look you see in professional crochet work.

Join your yarn at any corner of the placemat with a sl st.

Round 1: Chain 1, work sc evenly around the entire placemat, working 3 sc into each corner to keep the corners sharp and flat. When you return to the starting point, sl st to the first sc to join. Do not turn.

Round 2 — Scallop Border: Sl st into the first sc. Skip 2 sc, work a Scallop Shell (5 dc) into the next sc, skip 2 sc, work 1 sc into the next sc. Repeat from to all the way around the placemat, adjusting as needed at the corners to keep the scallops even. At each corner, you may need to work a scallop directly into the center corner stitch, which will help the border lie flat without pulling. Sl st to join and fasten off.

Weave in all ends carefully using a tapestry needle. Weave each end through several stitches in different directions so it is truly secure, especially since this placemat will be washed regularly.

Blocking Your Placemat

Blocking is the step that transforms a piece from “handmade” to “handcrafted.” It opens up the lace-like quality of the scallop pattern, evens out any inconsistencies in tension, and gives the placemat a flat, professional finish.

For cotton yarn, wet blocking works best. Submerge your finished placemat in cool water and gently press out the excess water without wringing. Lay it flat on a blocking mat or a clean towel, then use your hands to smooth and shape it to the correct dimensions — approximately 12 by 18 inches. Pin the corners and the points of the scalloped border if you want especially crisp definition, then allow it to dry completely before removing the pins.

The difference blocking makes is remarkable, especially for this pattern. The shells open up, the border lies perfectly flat, and the whole piece looks more polished and intentional.

Making a Full Set

One placemat is lovely. A full set of four or six is something else entirely — a cohesive, handmade table setting that will last for years.

The good news is that once you have worked through this pattern once, the second and third placemats go much faster. Your hands learn the rhythm of the scallop repeat, and you will find yourself crocheting almost on autopilot, which makes for a very meditative experience.

For a set of four placemats, plan on approximately 400–480 yards of yarn in your chosen color. For six, roughly 600–720 yards. This is well within the yardage of three to four standard skeins of worsted cotton yarn, making the full set an accessible and affordable project.

If you want to make a coordinated set with a bit of variety, consider working the main body of each placemat in a neutral like white, cream, or natural cotton, and switching to a different accent color for the border of each one. The result is a playful but cohesive look — unified by the pattern, distinguished by the color detail.

Care Instructions

Cotton placemats are wonderfully practical because they can go straight into the washing machine. Wash your scallops placemats in cold or warm water on a gentle cycle. Reshape while damp if needed, and either lay flat to dry or tumble dry on low heat. Avoid high heat, which can cause cotton to shrink over time.

After several washes, you will notice the cotton softening and the colors mellowing slightly — this is a beautiful quality of natural cotton fiber, and it only improves with age and use.

Customizing This Pattern

One of the great joys of a free crochet pattern is that it is a starting point, not a finish line. Here are a few ideas for making this scallops rectangular placemat entirely your own.

Adjust the size. To make a larger placemat, simply add more chains to the foundation in multiples of 6, and work additional rows to match. To make a smaller placemat — perhaps for a child’s place setting or a mug rug — reduce the foundation chain by multiples of 6 and work fewer rows.

Try a thinner yarn. Working this pattern in a DK or even a fingering weight cotton with a correspondingly smaller hook will produce a more delicate, lacier result that would be stunning for a formal table setting or as a gift.

Add a pop of color. Work the main body of the placemat in one color and switch to a contrasting color for the final two dc rows and the border. Even a single round of border in a contrasting color makes a striking difference.

Try textured yarn. A cotton yarn with a subtle twist or slub adds visual interest without changing the pattern at all. Just make sure it is still a smooth enough yarn that the hook can easily pass through each stitch.

A Note on Gifting

This placemat pattern makes an exceptional gift. It is practical enough to be used every day, beautiful enough to feel special, and personal in the way that only handmade gifts are. A set of four wrapped with a ribbon makes a wonderful housewarming gift, wedding gift, or birthday present for anyone who loves a well-set table.

If you are making them as gifts, consider asking ahead of time about the recipient’s kitchen colors so you can choose yarn accordingly. A thoughtfully color-matched set of handmade placemats is the kind of gift people keep for years and mention every time someone compliments their table.

Sharing Your Work

If you make this pattern, please share your finished placemats! Nothing is more encouraging for a pattern maker than seeing the work come to life in different colors and yarns and homes. Tag your photos with the pattern name so other crocheters can find them for inspiration.

And if you run into any questions as you work through the pattern — a row that is not adding up, a border that is not lying flat, a stitch that looks different from what you expected — leave a comment. Crochet is a community, and there is always someone who has encountered the same question and found the answer.

Final Thoughts

The scallops rectangular placemat is one of those patterns that does exactly what a good pattern should do: it teaches you something, it produces something beautiful, and it makes you want to start the next one before you have even finished weaving in the ends on this one. The scallop stitch is timeless, the rectangular shape is endlessly useful, and the finished object is something you will be proud to put on your table or give to someone you love.

So pull out your cotton yarn, get your hook ready, and make something wonderful. Your table is waiting.

Happy crocheting!