Knitting Placemats, Victorian Style

Victorian houses have always fascinated me. I love the look of them; the etched, fancy filigree, the high ceilings within, and the pitched gabled roofs without. Rooms seem to have eccentric touches, such as dumbwaiters, or ornate built-in shelves. There are pocket doors, and heating grilles on the floors. Then there are always the back stairs from the kitchen or a secret door or passage out of the library.

Looking into the interior designs of Victorian houses, and you see ornate, strong colors. Throw rugs, large tasseled pillows, and brightly colored rooms only accentuate the more pronounced settees, and over-sized armoires and buffets. There is nothing small or simple about a Victorian home; the frillier the better, it seems.

That is why this placemat seems so appropriate. Not that I live in such a house. I would love to. Yet, certain design elements can be incorporated into any style home, and these Victorian placemats just go perfectly on anyone's kitchen table. Or in the dining room, if you prefer!

Use cotton yarn. The placemat is knit in two pieces; the main pattern, and the borders. You will knit two borders.

Main Pattern:

Approx. 11 x 16

Cast on 71 stitches.

Rows 1 & 3: (WS) Purl.

Row 2: K1, * yo, k3, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k3, yo, k1; rep from *.

Row 4: P1, * k1, yo, k2, sl1, k2tog, psso, k2, yo, k1, p1; rep from *.

Row 5 & 7: K1, *p9, k1; rep from *.

Row 6: P1, *k2, yo, k1, sl1, k2tog, psso, k1, yo, k2, p1; rep from *.

Row 8: P1, *k3, yo, sl1, k2tog., psso, yo, k3, p1, rep from *.

Repeat Rows 1-8, 8 times. Bind off.

Border: (Make 2)

Cast on 10 sts.

Set up row: Knit.

Row 1: Sl1, k1, yo, p2tog, k2, yo twice, k2tog, k2 (11 sts).

Row 2: K4, p1, k2, yo, p2tog, k2.

Row 3: Sl1, k1, yo, p2tog, k3, yo twice, k2tog, k2 (12 sts)

Row 4: K4, p1, k3, yo, p2tog, k2.

Row 5: Sl1, k1, yo, p2tog, k4, yo twice, k2tog, k2 (13 sts)

Row 6: K4, p1, k4, yo p2tog, k2.

Row 7: Sl1, k1, yo, p2tog, k9.

Row 8: BO 3, k5, yo, p2tog, k2 (10 sts)

Knit 9 "points" then Rows 1-4.

BO.

Make 2 or 4, if you like. White is a very classic Victorian color; yet any cotton yarn will do.

Enjoy!