These knit checkered placemats are the perfect picnic-worthy, fully washable addition to your table setup. The double-colour basketweave stitch creates a beautiful checkered pattern that looks more advanced than it actually is — and the cotton yarn means they hold up beautifully in the wash, again and again.

This free knit checkered placemats pattern is the perfect project for beginners ready to try colourwork. The technique is simple — just switching colours every 4 stitches — but the finished result looks designer. They make a stunning hostess gift, work great as everyday placemats, and can easily be scaled up to a runner by adding rows.

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Why You’ll Love These Knit Checkered Placemats

✔ Beginner-friendly colourwork — just basic knit, purl, and colour changes
✔ Cotton yarn = fully machine washable
✔ Quick weekend project — each placemat works up fast
✔ Customizable colour combinations to match any decor
✔ Stash-buster for leftover cotton yarn
✔ Easily scales to a runner by adding rows
✔ Looks designer-made but uses only simple stitches
✔ Perfect hostess gift wrapped with a candle or wine

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Project Ideas for the Knit Checkered Pattern

• Full placemat set — make 4-6 in coordinating colours for a complete tablescape
• Table runner — add 30+ rows to scale up to a runner length
• Hostess gift — wrap a pair of placemats with a candle for the perfect housewarming present
• Seasonal sets — make different colour combinations for each season (cream and sage for spring, navy and white for summer)
• Cottage/farmhouse decor — classic check pattern fits effortlessly into rustic styles
• Outdoor entertaining — cotton is durable enough for picnics and patio dinners
• Kids’ table setting — bright cheerful colours add personality to a kid-friendly dining space

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Materials

• Yarn: 1 skein each of Red Heart Super Saver in Real Teal AND White (or any two contrasting #4 worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarns)
• 5mm (US 8) knitting needles
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Scissors
• Iron and pressing cloth (for finishing)

For the knit checkered placemats, cotton yarn is the best choice — it’s washable, durable, and holds up to spills and stains over time. Avoid pure acrylic for placemats (it doesn’t absorb spills well) and avoid wool (it can felt in the wash). 100% cotton or cotton-blend is the sweet spot.

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Pattern Details

Skill Level

Beginner — if you can knit, purl, and switch colours, you can do this. The two-colour basketweave is the simplest form of colourwork (no stranded or intarsia techniques required).

Finished Measurements

14″ tall × 19″ wide (35.5cm × 48.5cm) — standard placemat size that fits a charger, plate, and silverware.

Abbreviations

K = knit
P = purl
st(s) = stitch(es)
* = repeat instructions between asterisks as indicated

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Knit Checkered Placemats Pattern

Cast On

With Real Teal yarn, cast on 64 stitches.

Bottom Border

Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 4 inches.

Body — Double Colour Basketweave

Switch to the Double Colour Basketweave pattern (see below) for 11 inches.

Top Border

Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 4 inches. Cast off. Weave in ends.

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Double Colour Basketweave Pattern

This is the stitch pattern that creates the checkered effect. Repeat these 10 rows throughout the body of the placemat:

Rows 1-5: *With Real Teal, K4. Switch to White, P4.* Repeat from * to end.

Rows 6-10: *With White, P4. Switch to Real Teal, K4.* Repeat from * to end.

Repeat these 10 rows until the body measures 11 inches. The alternating blocks of knit and purl in different colours create the woven, dimensional check pattern.

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Finishing

Iron on low heat (or steam-block) to flatten and even out the basketweave texture. This step makes a HUGE difference — the placemats look amateur before pressing and designer-quality after.

Always use a pressing cloth between the iron and your knit to protect the cotton fibres from scorching.

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Tips for the Knit Checkered Placemats

Carry Yarn Loosely Up the Side

When switching between Real Teal and White at the end of each row, carry the non-working yarn loosely up the side of your work — don’t cut it. This keeps the side edges clean and saves you from weaving in dozens of yarn ends.

Choose High-Contrast Colours

The basketweave pattern looks best with strong contrast. Teal/white, navy/cream, charcoal/mustard, or black/ivory all pop beautifully. Subtle pairings (cream/beige) can wash out the checkered effect.

Always Press the Finished Piece

Cotton knit really benefits from pressing. The fabric goes from looking puckered and uneven to looking professionally finished after a quick press with a pressing cloth.

Make Them in Sets

If you’re making a set, knit all the bottom borders first, then all the basketweave sections, then all the top borders. Working in batches helps keep your tension consistent across the whole set.

Wash on Cold

For longevity, machine wash on cold and lay flat to dry. Hot water and high heat drying can cause cotton to shrink — and the basketweave can pucker if dried with too much agitation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does each placemat take to knit? Most knitters finish each placemat in 4-6 hours. A full set of 4 makes a great weekend project.

Can I machine wash these placemats? Yes — cotton yarn holds up beautifully to washing. Machine wash on cold and lay flat to dry for best longevity.

Can I scale this up to a table runner? Absolutely — just add 30+ rows to extend the basketweave section. Each repeat of the 10-row pattern adds about 1.5 inches of length.

What yarn weight should I use? The pattern is written for worsted weight (#4) cotton yarn. Heavier yarns make denser, stiffer placemats; lighter yarns make drapier ones. Adjust your needle size to match your chosen yarn.

Do I have to use teal and white? Not at all — any two contrasting colours work. The key is high contrast so the checkered pattern shows clearly.

Can I add more colours? Yes — the pattern can be expanded to use 3 or 4 colours by working different colour pairs in different sections of the basketweave. Just keep the 4-stitch × 5-row block structure consistent.

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More Knit & Crochet Home Decor Patterns

• Crochet Cable Placemat Pattern — Holiday Table Decor
• Crochet Checkered Table Runner — Free Pattern
• Buffalo Plaid Gingham Crochet Baby Blanket
• Crochet Polka Dot Pillow — Free Modern Pattern

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Save These Knit Checkered Placemats

Want to come back to this knit checkered placemats pattern later? Save it to Pinterest so you can find it when you’re ready to make a set — and share it with your knitting friends!