Rectangle Crochet Placemat – Free Crochet Pattern: Pecan Grove Placemat
There is something deeply satisfying about sitting down at a table set with handmade pieces. A crocheted placemat does more than protect a surface — it tells a story, carries a little warmth into every meal, and shows the kind of care that no store-bought item ever quite manages to replicate. If you have been looking for a beautiful, practical, and beginner-friendly project to work up quickly, the Pecan Grove Placemat pattern is exactly what you need. This free crochet pattern creates a classic rectangle placemat with a rich, textured stitch pattern inspired by the warm, earthy tones of a pecan grove in autumn. Whether you are crocheting a set for your own kitchen table or making a thoughtful handmade gift, this pattern delivers stunning results with simple techniques.
Let’s walk through everything you need to know — materials, gauge, stitch guide, pattern instructions, finishing tips, and plenty of helpful notes along the way.
About the Pecan Grove Placemat
The Pecan Grove Placemat is designed with everyday use in mind. It measures approximately 12 inches by 18 inches when finished, which is a standard placemat size that works well for most place settings. The pattern uses a combination of single crochet and half double crochet stitches in a simple grid-like structure that creates a subtle woven texture. That texture is what gives this placemat its personality — it catches the light beautifully and has just enough dimension to keep it interesting without being overly thick or stiff.
The name comes from the color palette that inspired it: warm tans, deep browns, and muted greens that look like a pecan grove at harvest time. That said, this pattern is a blank canvas. Work it up in crisp white linen for a farmhouse aesthetic, bold burgundy for a holiday table, or whatever color makes your heart happy.
This pattern is rated as easy to intermediate. If you can chain, single crochet, half double crochet, and work in rows, you have everything you need to complete this project.
Materials You Will Need
Before you cast on — or in crochet’s case, before you make that foundation chain — gather your supplies. Having everything in front of you before you start makes the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Yarn: Approximately 150 to 200 yards of worsted weight cotton yarn (size 4). Cotton is strongly recommended for placemats because it is durable, washable, and heat-resistant. It also blocks beautifully, which helps your finished placemat lie perfectly flat. Good options include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Simply DK (held double), Paintbox Simply Chunky (held as a single strand for a chunkier fabric), or any cotton worsted you love working with. For a set of four placemats, plan on approximately 700 to 800 yards total.
Hook: Size 5mm (US H/8) crochet hook. This hook pairs well with worsted weight cotton and creates a fabric that is firm enough to lay flat but not stiff or uncomfortable.
Notions: Scissors, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers (optional but helpful for keeping track of row counts), and a tape measure or ruler.
Gauge: 14 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in the main stitch pattern. Gauge is more important for placemats than you might think — if your gauge is off, your placemat will be too large or too small. Take a few minutes to work a swatch and adjust your hook size as needed. Going up a hook size will give you a larger, drapier fabric; going down will make it tighter and more structured.
Abbreviations and Stitch Guide
This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology.
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
st(s) — stitch(es)
sp — space
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
rep — repeat
BLO — back loop only
yo — yarn over
sk — skip
The main body of this placemat uses a stitch combination that alternates single crochet and half double crochet across each row. This alternating rhythm creates the woven, slightly raised texture that makes the fabric so visually appealing. Once you have worked the first few rows, you will find the pattern becomes rhythmic and intuitive.
Pattern Notes
Read through these notes before beginning — they will save you a lot of frustration and help your placemat turn out beautifully.
The foundation chain forms the long edge of your placemat (the 18-inch side), so it is important to chain loosely. A tight foundation chain is one of the most common beginner mistakes and can cause the edge of your finished piece to pucker or curl. If you tend to chain tightly, try using a hook one size larger just for the foundation chain, then switch back to your regular hook for the first row.
When working the alternating sc and hdc pattern, always work sc over the hdc from the previous row and hdc over the sc from the previous row. This is what creates the woven, textured appearance. If you work sc over sc and hdc over hdc, you will get a different (and less interesting) texture.
Turning chains in this pattern count as follows: a chain 1 at the beginning of a single crochet row does not count as a stitch. A chain 2 at the beginning of a half double crochet row does not count as a stitch either — always work your first stitch into the first stitch of the row, not into the turning chain. This keeps your edges clean and your stitch count consistent.
If you lose your stitch count, count across the row before turning. Each row should have 63 stitches.
Pattern Instructions
Foundation Chain
Using your 5mm hook and cotton yarn, chain 65.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in the second chain from the hook. Hdc in the next chain. Continue alternating sc and hdc across the row, ending with sc in the last chain. Turn. (63 stitches)
You will have 32 sc and 31 hdc stitches, or 32 hdc and 31 sc depending on which stitch fell in the last position — both are fine as long as you have 63 stitches total.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in the first stitch (which will be an sc from the previous row — remember to work hdc over sc, so pause here: the first stitch you encounter is the last stitch of the previous row, which was sc, so work hdc here). Let me clarify the rhythm for you:
Look at the stitch in front of you. If it looks like a single crochet (taller post, two loops), work hdc into it. If it looks like a half double crochet (slightly taller, three loops visible if you look carefully), work sc into it. Work across in this manner, keeping the alternating rhythm going. Turn. (63 stitches)
Rows 3 through 48: Continue repeating Row 2, always working the opposite stitch over each stitch from the previous row. This keeps the woven texture building consistently throughout the piece.
After 48 rows, your placemat body should measure approximately 12 inches in length. If you need to adjust, work more or fewer rows — just make sure you end with an even number of rows so the texture is balanced on both sides.
Border
The border brings the whole placemat together and gives it a polished, finished edge. It also helps the placemat lie flat, which is especially important with cotton, which can have a tendency to curl slightly at the edges before blocking.
Round 1: Do not fasten off after your last row. Ch 1, do not turn. You are now going to work around the entire perimeter of the placemat.
Work sc evenly along the right side edge of the placemat (working down the row ends). Aim for approximately one sc per row end along the short sides and one sc per stitch along the long sides. At each corner, work (sc, ch 1, sc) to turn the corner neatly. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc of the round.
Round 2: Sl st into the first corner chain-1 space. Ch 1. Work (sc, ch 1, sc) into the corner space. Work sc into each stitch around, working (sc, ch 1, sc) into each corner chain-1 space. Join with sl st to the first sc.
Round 3: Sl st into the first corner chain-1 space. Ch 1. Work reverse single crochet (also known as crab stitch) around the entire border, working (sc, ch 1, reverse sc) into each corner chain-1 space. Join with sl st to the first stitch. Fasten off.
The reverse single crochet border creates a beautifully twisted, rope-like edge that is both sturdy and decorative. If you have not worked reverse single crochet before, it simply means you work single crochet in the opposite direction — instead of working from right to left (for right-handed crocheters), you work from left to right, which twists the stitch slightly and creates that beautiful corded appearance.
Finishing
Weave in all ends securely. With cotton yarn on a firmly-worked fabric, this is especially important — cotton does not have as much natural grip as wool, so weaving in multiple directions and securing the tail well will prevent ends from working loose over time.
Blocking: Blocking is the step that transforms a good placemat into a great one. Wet blocking works beautifully with cotton. Submerge your finished placemat in cool water, gently squeeze out the excess (do not wring), and then press it gently between two clean towels to remove most of the moisture. Lay it flat on a blocking mat or clean, dry towel, and use rust-proof pins to pin it to its final dimensions — 12 inches by 18 inches. Let it dry completely before unpinning. Once blocked, your placemat will lie perfectly flat and the texture will open up beautifully.
Making a Matching Set
One placemat is lovely, but a full set of four (or six, or eight) is truly impressive — and once you have worked through the pattern once, each subsequent placemat will go faster. Many crocheters find that after the first placemat, they can work up each additional one in just two to three hours while watching a movie or listening to a podcast.
For a cohesive table setting, consider working all placemats in the same color, or choose a palette of two or three complementary shades. Earthy neutrals look sophisticated and timeless — think warm tan, deep cream, and sage green, which all evoke that pecan grove inspiration beautifully.
You can extend the set with matching coasters (the same pattern worked on a smaller scale — start with a chain of 25 instead of 65 and work 20 rows instead of 48 for approximately a 4.5-inch square coaster) or a simple table runner by working the same stitch pattern on a wider, longer foundation chain.
Care Instructions
Handmade items deserve proper care. Because this placemat is worked in cotton, it is remarkably easy to maintain.
Machine wash on a gentle or delicate cycle in cool or warm water. Avoid hot water, as it can cause cotton to shrink slightly. Lay flat to dry rather than putting it in the dryer — the heat and tumbling action of a dryer can cause even tightly-worked cotton placemats to shrink or distort slightly over time. If you do need to use a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and remove while still slightly damp, then lay flat to finish drying.
If your placemat loses its crisp, flat shape after washing, a quick re-blocking session will restore it. Simply dampen, pin, and let dry — it takes only a few minutes of hands-on time and the results are worth it.
Cotton placemats actually improve with washing and use over time, becoming softer and more supple while retaining their shape.
Gifting This Pattern
The Pecan Grove Placemat makes a wonderful handmade gift for so many occasions. A set of four wrapped with a ribbon makes a thoughtful housewarming gift, a lovely hostess gift, or a practical addition to a wedding or bridal shower gift basket. Because the pattern is clean and classic rather than trendy, it suits nearly any home’s style — farmhouse, modern, traditional, boho, or eclectic.
If you are gifting these placemats, consider tucking a small care card inside with the washing instructions above. Recipients who are not crocheters may not realize that handmade items sometimes benefit from special care, and a simple note helps them enjoy your gift for years to come.
You might also consider personalizing the color choice to the recipient. Someone with a bright, colorful kitchen might love a set in a bold terracotta or deep teal, while a friend with a neutral, minimalist aesthetic might cherish a set in undyed natural cotton.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
My placemat is curling at the edges. This is very common with cotton before blocking. Work through the border rounds and then block the finished piece — the curling will resolve completely once it has been pinned flat and dried.
My stitch count keeps changing. Double-check that you are not accidentally working into the turning chain at the beginning of each row or skipping the last stitch before you turn. These are the two most common culprits for a stitch count that slowly drifts.
My texture looks uneven or inconsistent. You may be accidentally working sc over sc and hdc over hdc in some rows instead of alternating them. Try marking the first stitch of each row with a stitch marker so you can quickly check whether you are starting the row with sc or hdc and adjust accordingly.
My placemat is too small or too large. This is a gauge issue. Work a swatch with your yarn and hook and compare to the gauge given. Adjust hook size as needed — going up a hook size typically adds about half an inch per 4 inches of fabric.
Final Thoughts
The Pecan Grove Placemat is one of those patterns that proves handmade does not have to mean complicated. With a simple, rhythmic stitch combination, easy-to-find materials, and a finished product that looks far more complex than it actually is, this pattern is a genuine pleasure to work and a joy to use or give away.
There is something lovely about the idea of a crocheted placemat sitting on a table every single day — being part of morning coffee, family dinners, holiday meals, quiet breakfasts, and all the small moments that make up a life. Something you made with your own hands, holding space at the table.
If you make a Pecan Grove Placemat, share your finished project! Tag your photos so other crocheters can see your beautiful color choices and variations. The crochet community is one of the most generous and inspiring crafting communities out there, and seeing how everyone interprets the same pattern is one of the great joys of sharing a free pattern.
Happy crocheting — may your yarn never tangle and your tension always be perfect.
