Vertical Rib Placemat

Modern Minimalist Rectangular Placemat with Rounded Cream Border

A clean, durable, beginner-friendly placemat worked in a soft textured vertical rib. The body is crocheted sideways in half double crochet through the back loop only so the ridges run vertically. Finished with a neat two-round single crochet border in cream that gently rounds the corners. Fully reversible with a flat, professional finish. Ideal for everyday table use.

Finished Size
12.5" wide × 18" long (32 × 45.5 cm) after border and light blocking.

Difficulty
Easy / Beginner

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton yarn
  – Main Color (MC): Soft pastel yellow – 180 yd / 165 m (approx. 3.5 oz / 100 g)
  – Contrast Color (CC): Cream / off-white – 50 yd / 46 m (approx. 1 oz / 28 g)
  Suggested: 100% cotton or cotton-blend worsted for stitch definition, absorbency, and durability.
• Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7) or size needed to obtain gauge. (4.0 mm may be used for a firmer fabric.)
• Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, 4 stitch markers, blocking mats & pins (optional).

Gauge

15 hdc-BLO and 11 rows = 4" (10 cm)
Work a swatch of at least 20 sts × 14 rows in hdc BLO, block lightly, and measure center.
Adjust hook size if necessary—fabric should be dense but still soft and flexible.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• BLO – back loop only
• CC – contrast color
• ch – chain
• hdc – half double crochet
• MC – main color
• rep – repeat
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• sc – single crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• yo – yarn over

Pattern Notes

• Placemat is worked flat in rows, sideways: foundation chain forms the short (12.5") side; rows build the long (18") side. This orients the BLO ridges vertically.
• Turning chain (ch 1 or ch 2) never counts as a stitch.
• All body stitches are worked in BLO only (both right- and wrong-side rows) to create continuous vertical ribs. Insert hook under the back loop only.
• Fabric is nearly reversible; choose either side as the “right side” before beginning the border.
• Stitch counts appear in parentheses at the end of every row/round.
• Keep tension even; cotton has little give, so consistent stitch height prevents wavy edges.
• Border is worked in joined rounds without turning. Move markers up each round.

Body (Vertical Rib)

With MC and 4.5 mm hook, ch 44.

Row 1 (RS): Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (43 hdc)

Row 2: Ch 2, hdc BLO in each st across, turn. (43 hdc)

Rows 3–47: Rep Row 2.
(After Row 47 the piece measures approx. 11.5" × 17".)

Fasten off MC. Weave in end.

Border

Join CC with sl st in the center of either long-side edge (this hides the join). Work with RS facing.

Rnd 1: Ch 1,

• Work sc evenly along the long side: place approximately 3 sc across every 2 row-ends (aim for 70 sc along each long side).
• At corner: work 3 sc in the corner st (or corner space). Place a marker in the middle sc of these 3.
• Across short side (foundation or final row): sc in each st (43 sc).
• Next corner: 3 sc in corner st, mark middle sc.
• Second long side: 70 sc evenly.
• Next corner: 3 sc, mark middle sc.
• Final short side: 43 sc.
• Last corner: 3 sc, mark middle sc.
  Join with sl st to first sc. (43 + 3 + 70 + 3 + 43 + 3 + 70 + 3 = 238 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around; at each marked corner st work 3 sc and move marker to the new middle sc.
Join with sl st to first sc. (238 + 8 = 246 sc)
(Each corner adds 2 net stitches: 4 corners × 2 = +8.)

Fasten off CC.

Finishing

1. Weave in all remaining ends securely on the wrong side (or both sides if reversible look is desired).
2. Gently block: dampen or steam, pin to final measurements 12.5" × 18", shaping the four corners into soft rounds. Allow to dry completely.
3. Optional: lightly press on wrong side with a warm iron under a cloth for an extra-flat, professional finish.

Your placemat is ready for the table. The vertical rib texture is durable, wipe-friendly, and machine-washable on gentle (lay flat to dry).

Inline Math Validation Summary

• Foundation: ch 44 → skip 2 → 43 hdc ✓
• Every body row: 43 sts maintained ✓
• Gauge check: 43 sts ÷ 15 sts/4" = 11.47" ≈ 11.5"; 47 rows ÷ 11 rows/4" = 17.09" ≈ 17" ✓
• Border Rnd 1: 43+43+70+70+ (3×4) = 238 ✓
• Border Rnd 2: 238 + (2×4) = 246 ✓
• Finished size after 2 sc rounds (~½" total width added each side): 12.5" × 18" ✓