Baby Blue Lagoon Puff Table Mat Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
The Baby Blue Lagoon Puff Table Mat is a soft, squishy circular placemat that brings a little tropical calm to your table. It's designed for beginners who are comfortable with basic crochet and want to learn the puff stitch in a forgiving, repetitive project. Worked in thick t-shirt yarn, it grows quickly and feels dense and pillowy under a mug or a plant pot. The baby blue center melts into cotton candy pink outer rounds, and a simple puff-stitch border frames the whole lagoon-inspired disc.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: T-shirt yarn (super bulky, about 5–7 mm wide ribbon), cotton/elastane blend. Color A (baby blue): approx. 90 yd. Color B (cotton candy pink): approx. 110 yd.
- Hook: 8.0 mm (US L-11).
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle (blunt tip for ribbon yarn), scissors, steamer or spray bottle for blocking.
- Finished size: Approx. 15 in / 38 cm diameter.
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp – space
- sk – skip
- yo – yarn over
- MR – magic ring
- puff – [yo, insert hook, pull up loop] x3, yo, pull through all 7 loops, ch 1 to close. Each puff counts as 1 st; the closing ch-1 is not counted.
Gauge
6 sts x 6 rnds = 4 in / 10 cm in puff stitch (each puff = 1 st). Work a small swatch in joined rounds and measure across the middle to check your gauge before starting.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your puff loops even in height — pull each loop up to about the height of a single crochet so the surface stays flat and uniform.
- Work in joined rounds and do not turn; this keeps all the puffs facing the same way for a clean raised texture.
- T-shirt yarn can twist; let the ribbon hang and untwist every few puffs so the mat lies flat.
- Count your puffs at the end of every round — the increases depend on an exact multiple of 8.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Center (Color A)
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, ch 1, work 8 puff into the ring, join with sl st to first puff (8 sts).
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 puff in each puff around, join (16 sts).
Rnd 3: Ch 1, [puff, 2 puff in next] x8, join (24 sts).
Rnd 4: Ch 1, [puff, puff, 2 puff in next] x8, join (32 sts).
Rnd 5: Ch 1, [puff x3, 2 puff in next] x8, join (40 sts).
Rnd 6: Ch 1, [puff x4, 2 puff in next] x8, join (48 sts).
Rnd 7: Ch 1, [puff x5, 2 puff in next] x8, join (56 sts). Fasten off Color A.
Outer (Color B)
Rnd 8: Join B to any puff of Rnd 7, ch 1, puff in each puff around, join (56 sts).
Rnd 9: Ch 1, [puff x6, 2 puff in next] x8, join (64 sts).
Rnd 10: Ch 1, puff in each puff around, join (64 sts).
Rnd 11: Ch 1, [puff x7, 2 puff in next] x8, join (72 sts).
Rnd 12: Ch 1, puff in each puff around, join (72 sts).
Rnd 13: Ch 1, [puff x8, 2 puff in next] x8, join (80 sts).
Rnd 14: Ch 1, puff in each puff around, join (80 sts). Do not fasten off.
Border (Color B)
Rnd 15: Ch 1, sc in each puff and each ch-1 sp around, join (160 sts).
Rnd 16: Ch 1, [puff, ch 1, sk 1] around, join (80 puff sts).
Rnd 17: Ch 1, sc in each puff and each ch-1 sp around, join (160 sts). Sl st in next st. Fasten off Color B.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends with the blunt tapestry needle, working each tail through the back of several puffs so it disappears into the thick texture. Trim close but not flush. Block the mat flat: mist lightly or hold a steamer a few inches above the surface, then pin or press the circle to 15 in / 38 cm diameter on a flat mat and let it dry completely. This sets the circle and smooths any puff loops that stood up.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the pink outer rounds for a sandy beige or seafoam green to change the lagoon mood while keeping the same stitch counts.
- Make a smaller version by stopping after Rnd 7 for a coaster-sized mat, or repeat Rnds 13–14 once more for a larger charger.
- Add a final round of sc in a contrasting color for a crisp, defined edge that also helps the mat stay flat.
