Cotton Knit Table Mat

A sturdy, textured cotton table mat (placemat) worked flat with a garter edge and a 4x4 basketweave centre. Clear, step-by-step instructions make this an easy one-evening or weekend project. Finished size: approximately 12" (30.5 cm) square. Pattern is written for one mat; instructions for resizing included.

Yarn

• 100% cotton, worsted/aran weight recommended. Sample uses: 1 x 100 g ball, 200 yards (183 m) / 100 g (3.5 oz) ball. Amount: 1 ball per mat (approx 180–220 yards / 165–200 m depending on gauge and length).
• If substituting yarn, choose a cotton with similar yardage and weight; cotton gives firmness and good washability for table use.

Needles

• Recommended: Straight or circular needles (worked flat) US 7 / UK (old) 7 / Metric 4.5 mm.
• If you knit tightly, go up one size: US 8 / Metric 5.0 mm. If you knit loosely, try US 6 / Metric 4.0 mm. (Metric mm is the reliable conversion.)
• Optional: 24" / 60 cm circular used to hold all stitches comfortably while working flat.

Notions

• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Stitch marker (optional, to mark pattern repeats)
• Blocking mats and pins or a damp towel and flat surface for blocking

Gauge

18 stitches x 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette using recommended needles. Because this mat uses textured stitches, measure gauge in the flat center pattern if you want precise finished dimensions.

Finished size

Approx 12" (30.5 cm) square. If your gauge differs, follow the resizing guidance below.

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off

Notes

• This mat is worked flat (back-and-forth). There is a garter border 4 stitches wide on each side to give a neat edge that won't curl.
• The basketweave centre is an 8-stitch multiple; the pattern below uses a 48-stitch centre plus the 4-stitch garter borders each side (total cast-on 56 sts).
• When changing size, keep the centre section a multiple of 8 stitches and add 8 sts total for the 4-stitch garter borders (4 sts each side).

Cast On & Setup

Cast on 56 sts.

Rows 1–6: Knit every row (garter border). This forms a garter ridge that will become the top and bottom edge.

Pattern: Basketweave with Garter Edges

Set-up for centre: After the 6 garter rows you will work the basketweave pattern across the centre 48 sts, keeping 4 garter stitches at the beginning and end of every row.

Basketweave (4-row repeat) — work between the garter borders (centre 48 sts):

• Row 1 (RS): k4 (border), *k4, p4* repeat 6 times (centre), k4 (border).
• Row 2 (WS): k4 (border), *k4, p4* repeat 6 times, k4 (border).
• Row 3 (RS): k4 (border), *p4, k4* repeat 6 times, k4 (border).
• Row 4 (WS): k4 (border), *p4, k4* repeat 6 times, k4 (border).

Repeat rows 1–4 until piece measures approx 11" (28 cm) from cast-on edge, ending after a complete 4-row repeat (so the basketweave blocks line up neatly). Length can be adjusted — stop when you have about 1" (2.5 cm) remaining for the final garter border.

Finishing

Next 6 rows: Knit every row (garter border) to match the cast-on edge.

Bind off loosely in knit stitch. Weave in ends with a tapestry needle.

Blocking

Lightly wet-block the mat to square it: pin to a 12" x 12" square on blocking mats, stretch gently to desired dimensions, and allow to dry completely. Cotton can relax when wet so pin firmly to get a neat square edge.

Care

100% cotton mats are best washed gently: machine wash warm on a gentle cycle or hand wash, reshape while damp and dry flat. Avoid high heat drying to reduce shrinkage; iron on medium if needed.

Sizing & Adjustments

To change the finished width, use this rule: start from your gauge (sample gauge is 18 sts = 4"). Calculate desired stitches = (desired width in inches) * (18 / 4). Subtract 8 stitches to allow for the two 4-st garter borders, then round that result to the nearest multiple of 8 to get the centre-stitch count. Final cast-on = centre-stitch-count + 8 (for the 4-st borders). Example for 12": (12 * 18/4) = 54. Subtract 8 = 46. Nearest multiple of 8 = 48. Centre = 48, so cast on 48 + 8 = 56 sts (the sample pattern).

If you prefer a round mat, work the centre in the round and switch to a round textured motif instead of this flat basketweave; for round mats gauge and yarn amounts will change — allow 10–30% more yarn depending on diameter.

Variations

• Make a set: knit multiple mats — one ball per mat will be enough for many cotton worsted yarns.
• Add a colour stripe: change colour for the last 6 garter rows for a contrast edge. Carry colour or weave in ends neatly.
• Add a crocheted edgings such as single crochet or reverse single crochet (crab stitch) for a firm edge — use a matching cotton crochet hook size recommended for the yarn.

Troubleshooting

• If edges pull in: your tension may be tight; try a larger needle size or block more aggressively.
• If mat is too floppy: use a slightly smaller needle or a denser stitch pattern, or consider a heavier cotton yarn.

Contact & Copyright

Pattern provided by PurlJam. Website: https://purljam.verde.uk. For help or questions email team@verde.uk. Share finished projects with the hashtag #purljam on social media.

This pattern may be sold or given away in its original form but pattern text and photos remain copyright of the designer; please credit PurlJam when sharing.