The Old Friendships Placemat is a beginner-friendly textured placemat pattern that is the perfect project to try if you would like to explore the Spike stitch. This is a versatile stitch that is worked over multiple rows and can add a splash of colour to a neutral background. I finished off this placemat while my childhood friend was visiting and I remember vividly chatting about everything and anything with her as I was working on the last few rows of the border.
The pattern can be easily modified to larger size and using multiple colours, opening doors to endless possibilities and creativity.

Skills required
Chain, single crochet (sc), spike stitch (sp), working crochet pattern in rows and rounds, weaving in ends, blocking.

Finished measurements
The final placemat measurements (blocked):
38 x 33 cm (approx. 15” x 13”)

Materials and tools
Hobbii Portobello (60% Cotton, 28% Acrylic, 12% Wool | Worsted | 50 g (1.8 oz) = 120 m (131 yds)), (#02) Off White 1 ball (A), (#113) Misty Green 1 ball (B)

Crochet hook size 5 mm (US size H-8) or size to obtain the gauge
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Gauge
Blocked Gauge:
15 sts x 17 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4”) over single stitch pattern

Notes
This pattern uses US stitch terminology (SC is known as double crochet (DC) in UK terminology).
The placemat is worked flat in rows followed by a border worked in rounds.
Starting chain 1 does NOT count as a stitch.
Stitches worked into stitches 2 rows below need to be pulled up to the height of the working row otherwise the shape of the placemat will be distorted; edges will be higher than middle of a particular row.

The border consists of 2 rounds of sc in A and a round of sc in B worked in alternated fashion in the row below and 2 rows below.