Diamond Lattice Basketweave Mat Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This Diamond Lattice Basketweave Mat is a cozy, durable little rug made especially for cats who like a soft spot to curl up on. The textured basketweave center gives it a thick, squishy feel under paw, while the butter yellow border and five simple diamond appliqués add a touch of Western blanket charm. It looks striking in white and yellow, but it's just as lovely in any two colors you love. If you can work double crochet and single crochet, you can make this mat — the basketweave texture comes from front-post and back-post stitches that are easier than they look.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Aran weight (worsted) wool blend — approximately 400 yards white and 200 yards butter yellow.
- Hook: 5.5 mm (I-9) crochet hook.
- Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers (optional).
- Finished size: 24 inches wide x 18 inches long.
Abbreviations
- ch — chain
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- sl st — slip stitch
- sc — single crochet
- dc — double crochet
- inc — increase (work 2 sc in the same stitch)
- fpdc — front post double crochet (work the dc around the post of the stitch in front of your work)
- bpdc — back post double crochet (work the dc around the post of the stitch behind your work)
Gauge
14 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in basketweave pattern. Work a small swatch in the basketweave pattern and measure it flat before starting; if your swatch is larger, go down a hook size, and if smaller, go up.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your front-post and back-post stitches loose enough to work into comfortably — tight posts make the basketweave stiff and hard to maneuver.
- Count your blocks every row. Each block is 4 stitches, so 84 stitches should always divide into 21 blocks.
- Mark the first stitch of each row with a stitch marker so you don't lose your place in the post stitches.
- Work the border first and join the center to it, so the mat keeps a crisp rectangular shape from the start.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Border (butter yellow)
Row 1: Ch 86, dc in 4th ch from hook and each ch across (84 dc).
Rows 2-4: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across (84 dc).
Fasten off.
Center (white)
Join white to a corner of the border.
Row 1: Ch 3, turn, [fpdc around next 4 sts, bpdc around next 4 sts] across, end fpdc around last 4 sts (84 sts).
Row 2: Ch 3, turn, [bpdc around next 4 sts, fpdc around next 4 sts] across, end bpdc around last 4 sts (84 sts).
Rows 3-4: Repeat Rows 1-2 (84 sts).
Rows 5-8: Work in the established pattern, alternating blocks every 4 rows (84 sts).
Continue in the established pattern, alternating blocks every 4 rows, until the center measures 12 inches, ending with a wrong side row. Fasten off.
Outer Edging (butter yellow)
Join yellow to any corner.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire mat, working 3 sc in each corner, join with sl st.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, 3 sc in each corner, join with sl st. Fasten off.
Diamonds (make 5, butter yellow)
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join with sl st (4 sc).
Rnd 2: Ch 1, inc in each sc around, join with sl st (8 sc).
Rnd 3: Ch 1, [sc, inc] around, join with sl st (12 sc).
Rnd 4: Ch 1, [sc, inc] around, join with sl st (18 sc).
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Assembly and Finishing
Arrange the five diamonds evenly across the center of the mat, spaced about 4 inches apart and centered vertically. Using the long tails, sew each diamond in place with small, even stitches, catching only the surface of the mat so the stitches don't show through the back. Weave in all remaining ends. Block the mat lightly by misting it with water, shaping it flat to 24 x 18 inches, and letting it dry completely before use.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the butter yellow for a dusty rose or denim blue to suit your cat's favorite corner of the house.
- Make the diamonds in a contrasting color, or add a single sc border around each one before sewing for a bolder look.
- For a thicker, more cushiony mat, work the border and center with two strands of yarn held together and go up one hook size.
