Emerald Ombre Lace Placemat Crochet Pattern

I am so pleased with how this emerald ombre lace placemat turned out! It starts with a dense ivory flower centre, then ring after ring of shells melts from pale mint through jade and emerald to deep forest green, each one outlined with fine gold thread. It truly looks like an heirloom doily, but sized perfectly for a modern table.

We will work from the centre outward in joined rounds. The ivory centre is divided into 12 radial wedges separated by chain 1 eyelets, and those spokes become the pretty rays you see in the finished piece. On top of the four green lace rings we add a gold surface edge, an outer border of pointed gold leaves and tiny three-picot crowns, and finally a little gold star with a sage rosette sewn into the very centre.

It is an intermediate project, but every ring uses the same rhythm, so once you understand one ring the others follow the same logic. The finished placemat blocks to approximately 16.5 inches (42 cm) across.

Materials

• 75 to 90 yards (69 to 82 m) sport or light DK mercerized cotton in ivory, for the centre flower
• 35 to 45 yards (32 to 41 m) sport or light DK mercerized cotton in pale mint, for arch ring 1
• 35 to 45 yards (32 to 41 m) sport or light DK mercerized cotton in jade, for arch ring 2
• 40 to 50 yards (37 to 46 m) sport or light DK mercerized cotton in emerald, for arch ring 3
• 45 to 55 yards (41 to 50 m) sport or light DK mercerized cotton in deep forest, for arch ring 4
• 8 to 12 yards (7 to 11 m) sport or light DK mercerized cotton in sage, for the centre rosette
• 45 to 60 yards (41 to 55 m) fine gold crochet thread or metallic strand, for the star, arch edging and outer trim
• 3.25 mm (US D-3) crochet hook, or size needed for gauge
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Rust-proof pins and a blocking mat
• Optional: stitch markers, one for each of the 12 radial sections

Abbreviations

• beg: beginning
• ch: chain
• dc: double crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• lp: loop
• MR: magic ring
• rep: repeat
• rnd: round
• sc: single crochet
• sk: skip
• sl st: slip stitch
• sp: space
• st/sts: stitch / stitches
• tr: treble crochet
• yo: yarn over

Special Stitches

• Picot: ch 3, slip stitch in first chain.
• 3-dc shell: work 3 double crochet stitches in the indicated space. This creates a small fan shape.
• 5-dc fan: work 5 double crochet stitches in the indicated chain space, a medium sized fan.
• 7-dc fan: work 7 double crochet stitches in the indicated chain space, a larger, more dramatic fan.
• Leaf point: chain 7. Slip stitch in 2nd chain from hook, single crochet in next chain, half double crochet in next, double crochet in next, treble crochet in next, double crochet in last chain. Slip stitch to the base space. This creates a pointed leaf shape.
• Three-picot crown: work (picot, single crochet in same base point) 3 times, keeping the three picots compact, for a decorative crown effect.
• Gold surface edge: with gold held behind the work, join at one end of a coloured arch and work slip stitch loosely through the outer top loops along the curve. Do not pull tight; the gold should sit as a fine outline.

Gauge & Size

• Gauge: not critical, but consistent tension matters; after Round 9 of the ivory centre, the piece should measure about 8.5 to 9 inches (21.5 to 23 cm) across, lightly smoothed
• Finished size: approximately 16.5 inches (42 cm) diameter after blocking
• Construction: joined rounds from the centre outward, gold surface edging on the four rings, separate centre appliques sewn on at the end
• Skill level: Intermediate

Work in joined rounds and join each round with a slip stitch unless otherwise stated. Count the 12 spokes at the end of every ivory round; if one is missing, correct the round before continuing. Each lace ring has 24 arches, two aligned with each ivory wedge, so place markers every two arches if that helps you keep track. Work the metallic gold with relaxed tension, and block only after all surface edging and the centre applique are complete.

Ivory Flower Centre Pattern

With ivory, make a magic ring. Chain 3 counts as the first double crochet throughout the centre unless noted.

Round 1: Chain 3, 11 dc in magic ring, join. Tighten ring. (12 dc)

Round 2: Chain 3, dc in same stitch, 2 dc in each remaining stitch around, join. (24 dc)

Round 3: Chain 3, dc in same stitch, chain 1, skip next stitch, (2 dc in next stitch, chain 1, skip next stitch) around, join to top of beginning chain 3. (12 two-dc wedges and 12 chain 1 spokes)

Round 4: Slip stitch into first dc of wedge if needed. Chain 3, dc in same stitch, dc in next dc, chain 1, (2 dc in first dc of next wedge, dc in next dc, chain 1) around, join. (Each wedge = 3 dc)

Round 5: Chain 3, dc in same stitch, dc in each dc across wedge, chain 1, (2 dc in first dc of next wedge, dc in each remaining dc of wedge, chain 1) around, join. (Each wedge = 4 dc)

Round 6: Repeat the Round 5 increase method, keeping one chain 1 spoke between wedges. (Each wedge = 5 dc)

Round 7: Repeat the increase method. (Each wedge = 6 dc)

Round 8: Repeat the increase method. (Each wedge = 7 dc)

Round 9: Repeat the increase method. (Each wedge = 8 dc)

Do not fasten off yet.

Round 10: Chain 1, sc in first dc. Working across each 8-dc wedge: skip 1 dc, 5 dc in next dc, skip 1 dc, sc in next 2 dc, 5 dc in next dc, skip 1 dc. Sc in chain 1 spoke. Repeat this sequence around, adjusting only the final sc so each wedge forms two rounded lobes. Join and fasten off.

Lightly steam or finger shape the 24 small scallops.

Foundation for the Lace Rings

Join pale mint with a single crochet in any chain 1 spoke from Round 9, inserting the hook from the front between the scallops so the attachment sits neatly behind the ivory edge.

Foundation Round: Chain 5, sc in the valley between the two scallops of the same wedge, chain 5, sc in the next chain 1 spoke, repeat around. Join to first sc. (24 chain 5 arches)

These 24 positions are maintained through all four green rings.

Ombre Lace Ring 1: Pale Mint

Round 11: Slip stitch into first chain 5 arch. Chain 1, work 7 dc in each chain 5 arch, sc in each anchoring sc between arches, join. (24 pale mint fans)

Round 12: Chain 1, sc in first anchor sc. (Chain 6, sc in centre dc (4th dc) of next 7-dc fan, chain 6, sc in next anchor sc) around, join. This creates paired oval openings beneath the next ring.

Ombre Lace Ring 2: Jade

Round 13: Join jade in any centre sc from Round 12. Chain 1, sc in same stitch. (Chain 5, sc around the next pair of chain 6 loops at their meeting point, catching both loops together, chain 5, sc in next centre sc) around, join. (48 chain 5 arches grouped as 24 pairs)

Round 14: Slip stitch into first chain 5 arch. (5 dc in arch, sc in the joining sc, 5 dc in next arch, sc in next centre sc) around, join. (48 small jade fans)

Round 15: (Chain 7, sc between the two 5-dc fans that form one pair, chain 7, sc in the space between this pair and the next pair) around, join. (48 chain 7 loops arranged in pairs, with a clear oval window below each fan)

Ombre Lace Ring 3: Emerald

Round 16: Join emerald in any sc between paired loops. Chain 1, sc in same point. (7 dc in next chain 7 loop, sc in the sc between the pair, 7 dc in next chain 7 loop, sc in next between-pair sc) around, join. (48 emerald fans)

Round 17: (Chain 8, sc in centre dc of next fan, chain 8, sc in the valley after that fan) around, join. Keep all loops loose and even.

Ombre Lace Ring 4: Deep Forest

Round 18: Join deep forest in any valley sc. Slip stitch into next chain 8 loop. Chain 3, 6 dc in same loop, sc in next centre sc. (7 dc in next chain 8 loop, sc in next valley or centre sc as it appears) around, join. (48 deep forest fans)

Round 19: Chain 1, sc in same point. (Chain 4, sc in centre dc of next fan, chain 4, sc in next valley) around, join. Fasten off deep forest.

Gold Edge on the Four Green Rings

Use gold thread and the gold surface edge technique from the Special Stitches section. Outline only the curved outer crest of each coloured fan, not the lower chain windows. Work around Ring 1 and fasten off, then repeat separately for Rings 2, 3, and 4. Keep the slip stitches relaxed so the lace stays flat, and weave each gold tail into the back of the matching ring for at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) before trimming.

Outer Gold Leaf & Picot Border

Join gold in any valley sc of Round 19. The border alternates a pointed leaf at one valley with a three-picot crown at the next valley.

Border Round 1: Chain 1, sc in same valley. (Chain 4, sc in centre of next deep forest fan, chain 4, sc in next valley) around, join. This makes a gold guide chain around the perimeter.

Border Round 2: At the first valley work 1 leaf point. Slip stitch along the next chain 4 segment to the fan-centre sc, then work a three-picot crown into that sc. Slip stitch along the next chain 4 segment to the next valley and work 1 leaf point. Continue alternating a leaf point at each valley and a three-picot crown at each fan-centre sc around. Join invisibly and fasten off.

Centre Applique: Gold Star

With gold, make a magic ring.

Star Round 1: Chain 1, work 8 sc in magic ring, join. (8 sc)

Star Round 2: (Chain 5, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sc in next chain, hdc in next chain, dc in next chain, sl st in next base sc) 8 times. Fasten off, leaving a 10 inch (25 cm) sewing tail.

Flatten the eight points with your fingers.

Centre Applique: Sage Rosette

With sage, make a magic ring.

Rosette Round 1: Chain 1, 8 sc in magic ring, join. (8 sc)

Rosette Round 2 (inner petals): (Chain 3, 2 dc in same stitch, chain 3, sl st in same stitch, sl st in next sc) around. (8 compact petals)

Rosette Round 3 (outer petals): Working behind Round 2, slip stitch around the post area between petals, chain 4, repeating around, then join to form 8 back loops. In each chain 4 loop work (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc). Join and fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.

Finishing & Assembly

Centre the gold star over the middle of the ivory flower, rotating it so the points fall between the major ivory spoke lines rather than directly on top of them. Using the gold tail, tack the star at the base of every point, keeping the stitches small and invisible from the front. Place the sage rosette directly over the star centre and sew through the underside of the rosette only, catching the gold star and ivory base without flattening the petals. Weave in all remaining ends on the wrong side, changing direction once or twice so the ends cannot work loose.

For blocking, soak the placemat in cool water for 10 to 15 minutes, then gently squeeze out the excess water in a towel without wringing. Pin the ivory centre first, keeping all 12 spokes radial and evenly spaced. Pin each green ring so the 24 paired arches remain aligned, opening the oval windows with your fingers before pinning the fan crests. Pin every gold leaf point and each picot crown individually, aiming for a finished diameter of about 16.5 inches (42 cm), and allow it to dry completely before unpinning. If the metallic thread feels stiff, shape it with your fingers rather than pressing with a hot iron.

Tips

If the centre cups upward, your ivory increases are too tight: rework the last increase round with looser tension or a hook 0.25 mm larger. If the centre ripples, your increases are too loose: use a smaller hook for the ivory section.

If the green arches pull inward, increase each chain loop by 1 chain on the affected ring. If the green rings ruffle, decrease each chain loop by 1 chain, or work 5-dc fans instead of 7-dc fans on that ring.

If the gold edging puckers, remove it and rework the surface slip stitches with a larger hook or markedly looser tension.

Keep the colour order beside you as you work: ivory centre, sage rosette, gold star, then pale mint, jade, emerald and deep forest rings, with all fan outlines and the outer border in gold.