The Heirloom Table Mat is a home decor knitting pattern that uses hemp yarn, which only gets better with age. This natural plant fiber is known for its durability and color retention, making it an excellent choice for another home decor knitting pattern, as well.

Skill level: Intermediate

Finished size: Approx 10 1/2 inches across (blocked)

Materials for this home decor knitting pattern

• Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy (DK weight; 41% cotton/ 34% hemp /25% modal; 154 yds/50g per ball): 1 ball eucalyptus #027
• Size 6 (4mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge for the Heirloom Table Mat

18 sts and 36 rows = 4 inches in St st, blocked. Exact gauge is not critical to this project.

Pattern Stitch

Border (11 sts)

Notes: Border is worked at the  same time as mat. Chart is provided  for those preferring to work pat st  from chart.

Rows 1, 3, 5 and 7 (WS): Purl across.

Row 2 (RS): Yo, k1, yo, k2, [k2tog] twice, k2, yo, k2tog.

Row 4: Yo, k3, yo, k1, [k2tog] twice, k1, yo, k2tog.

Row 6: Yo, k5, yo, [k2tog] twice,  yo, k2tog.

Row 8: Yo, k3, k2tog, k2, [yo,  k2tog] twice.

Rep Rows 1–8 for pat.

Pattern Note: When blocking, the mat may be pinned or just smoothed out; it will shrink about 1/2–1 inch across if not pinned.

Table Mat Knitting Pattern

Using backward-loop cast-on  (see page 93) or long-tail cast-on (see page 94), cast on 27 sts.

Row 1 and all WS rows: Sl 1, purl  to end.

Row 2 (RS): Work Border pat  over first 11 sts, k14 (2 sts unworked), turn.

Row 4: Work Border pat over first  11 sts, k12 (4 sts unworked), turn.

Row 6: Work Border pat over first  11 sts, k10 (6 sts unworked), turn.

Row 8: Work Border pat over first 11 sts, k8, (8 sts unworked), turn.

Row 10: Work Border pat over first 11 sts, k6, (10 sts unworked), turn.

Row 12: Work Border pat over first 11 sts, k4, (12 sts unworked), turn.

Row 14: Work Border pat over first 11 sts, k2, (14 sts unworked), turn.

Row 16: Work Border pat over first 11 sts, k16 (do not close gaps).

Rep [Rows 1–16] 10 more times, then rep [Rows 1–15] once.

Join final row to cast-on row

Cut yarn, leaving a 36-inch tail.

With WS tog, graft final row to  cast-on row, working in pat toward mat center.

Note: For alternate join, bind off all sts while working final row. With RS tog, sew bound-off and cast-on edges tog.

Finishing the Heirloom Table Mat Home Decor Knitting Pattern

Weave yarn through slipped sts at mat center, pull tight to close, secure yarn.

Block mat to size.