Frosted Lattice Snowflake Placemat Free Pattern – Knit a Winter Wonderland Table Setting
Frosted Lattice Snowflake Placemat Free Pattern – Knit a Winter Wonderland Table Setting
Transform your dining table into a snowy scene with this intricate knit placemat featuring a central snowflake medallion and delicate lattice borders. The textured cables and bobbles create a cozy, heirloom-quality piece that elevates any winter gathering. Whether you're hosting a holiday dinner or simply want to add a touch of winter magic to your everyday meals, this placemat is the perfect project for knitters ready to expand their skills.
This pattern combines classic cable techniques with lace-inspired eyelets and playful bobbles, resulting in a stunning piece that looks far more complex than it actually is. The ivory worsted-weight cotton yarn gives it a soft, rustic elegance that photographs beautifully and withstands the wear and tear of daily use. Best of all, this is a free pattern designed to be approachable for confident beginners and intermediate knitters alike.
Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Having everything ready will make your knitting session smooth and enjoyable.
Yarn
- Type: Worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn in ivory (or your preferred winter white)
- Amount: Approximately 300–350 yards
- Note: Cotton is ideal for placemats because it's durable, absorbent, and holds its shape beautifully after blocking. A cotton-blend with a touch of acrylic or bamboo will also work well.
Needles & Tools
- Knitting needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) — straight or circular, whichever you prefer
- Cable needle: For the C4F and C4B cable stitches
- Stitch markers: At least 2, to mark the center snowflake panel
- Tapestry needle: For weaving in ends
- Blocking mats and pins: To shape and set your finished placemat
Gauge
20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS). Always knit a gauge swatch before starting to ensure your finished placemat matches the intended dimensions. If your gauge is off, adjust your needle size accordingly.
Finished Size
Approximately 14 inches wide x 18 inches long after blocking. Blocking is essential to open up the lace and cable details, so don't skip this step!
Step-by-Step Instructions
This pattern is divided into clear sections: the ribbed border, the lattice body, the central snowflake medallion, and the finishing border. Follow along carefully, and you'll have a gorgeous placemat in no time.
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- K: knit
- P: purl
- K2tog: knit two stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- SSK: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- YO: yarn over (creates an eyelet hole)
- C4F: slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle
- C4B: slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle
- MB: make bobble (k1, p1, k1, p1, k1 into same stitch, then pass 4 stitches over the first stitch)
- PM: place marker
- SM: slip marker
- RS: right side (public side)
- WS: wrong side (inside)
Getting Started: The Ribbed Border
CO 70 stitches using your preferred long-tail cast-on method. This gives you a nice, stretchy edge that will form the base of your placemat.
Row 1 (RS): K2, *P2, K2; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 2 (WS): P2, *K2, P2; repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for a total of 10 rows. This creates a 2x2 ribbing that will frame your placemat beautifully. After completing the 10th row, you'll be ready to move into the lattice section.
The Lattice Section
The lattice pattern creates a woven diamond effect using cables. It's a simple 4-row repeat that's easy to memorize once you get going.
Lattice Pattern (multiple of 6 + 2):
Row 1 (RS): K2, *C4F, K2; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.
Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 3 (RS): K2, *K2, C4B; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.
Row 4 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Repeat Rows 1–4 until the lattice section measures 12 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row (Row 2 or 4). This will be the main body of your placemat, and it's where the magic starts to happen.
Pro tip: Place a stitch marker at the beginning of each RS row to help you keep track of where you are in the pattern.
The Snowflake Medallion (Center Panel)
Now we're going to work the center 30 stitches in a snowflake pattern while keeping the side stitches in the lattice pattern. This creates a beautiful framed medallion effect.
Row 1 (RS): Work lattice pattern over first 20 stitches, PM, K30, PM, work lattice pattern over last 20 stitches.
Row 2 (WS): Work lattice pattern over first 20 stitches, SM, P30, SM, work lattice pattern over last 20 stitches.
Now you'll work the snowflake pattern over the center 30 stitches (between the markers) while continuing the lattice pattern on the sides. Here's the full snowflake sequence:
Row 3 (RS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, *K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches of center, K2, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 4 (WS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, Purl to marker, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 5 (RS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, *K1, YO, K3, YO, K2; repeat from * to end of center, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 6 (WS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, Purl to marker, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 7 (RS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, *K2tog, YO, K5, YO, SSK; repeat from * to end of center, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 8 (WS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, Purl to marker, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 9 (RS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, *K1, MB, K1, YO, K3, YO, K1, MB, K1; repeat from * to end of center, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 10 (WS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, Purl to marker, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 11 (RS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, *K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K1; repeat from * to end of center, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 12 (WS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, Purl to marker, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 13 (RS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, *K1, YO, K3, YO, K2; repeat from * to end of center, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 14 (WS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, Purl to marker, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 15 (RS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, *K2tog, YO, K5, YO, SSK; repeat from * to end of center, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 16 (WS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, Purl to marker, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 17 (RS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, *K1, MB, K1, YO, K3, YO, K1, MB, K1; repeat from * to end of center, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Row 18 (WS): Work lattice over first 20 stitches, SM, Purl to marker, SM, work lattice over last 20 stitches.
Repeat Rows 3–18 until the center panel measures 12 inches, ending with a WS row. This will create a beautiful, symmetrical snowflake with six points, each ending in a bobble.
Important note about the bobble (MB): To make a bobble, knit into the same stitch 5 times (k1, p1, k1, p1, k1). Then, using your left needle, lift the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th stitches over the first stitch, one at a time. This creates a tight, dimensional bobble that stands out beautifully. If you prefer a softer look, you can use a crochet hook to make a smaller bobble instead.
Finishing the Lattice Section
Once your center panel reaches 12 inches, you'll work the lattice pattern across all 70 stitches again to complete the bottom section of the placemat.
Work the lattice pattern (Rows 1–4) for 4 more rows across all stitches. This will frame the bottom of your snowflake medallion and create a balanced, symmetrical design.
The Final Border
Now it's time to add the matching ribbed border to finish your placemat.
Row 1 (RS): K2, *P2, K2; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 2 (WS): P2, *K2, P2; repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for a total of 10 rows, matching the border at the cast-on edge.
Bind off in pattern: K2, *P2, K2; repeat from * to end, binding off as you go. To bind off in pattern, knit the first stitch, purl the second stitch, then pass the first stitch over the second. Continue in this manner, working each stitch as it appears (knit the knits, purl the purls) and passing the previous stitch over.
Finishing Touches
Congratulations! Your placemat is nearly complete. Now for the most important step: blocking.
- Weave in all ends using your tapestry needle. Be sure to weave them in securely on the wrong side of the work.
- Soak your placemat in lukewarm water with a gentle wool wash or mild detergent for about 15–20 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water — never wring or twist!
- Roll in a towel to remove additional moisture.
- Pin to dimensions: Lay the placemat flat on blocking mats and gently stretch it to 14 inches wide x 18 inches long. Use rust-proof pins to secure the edges, paying special attention to the snowflake medallion and lattice sections. Open up the lace eyelets and cable details with your fingers as you pin.
- Let it dry completely — this can take 24–48 hours depending on humidity. Once dry, unpin and enjoy your beautiful new placemat!
Care Instructions
To keep your placemat looking its best, hand wash in cool water with mild detergent and lay flat to dry. If you must machine wash, use a delicate cycle in a mesh laundry bag and always air dry. The cotton yarn will soften with each wash, making your placemat even more cozy over time.
Tips for Success
- Count your stitches regularly, especially when working the snowflake medallion. The YO increases and K2tog/SSK decreases should keep your stitch count consistent, but it's easy to miss a YO and throw off the pattern.
- Use locking stitch markers for the center panel so they don't fall out as you work.
- Practice the cable stitches on a small swatch first if you're new to cabling. C4F and C4B are simple 4-stitch cables that are very forgiving.
- Blocking is non-negotiable for this pattern. The lace and cable details will look flat and muddy until you block them open. Trust the process!
- Make a set! Once you've mastered the pattern, consider knitting a matching set of four or six placemats for your holiday table. They also make wonderful handmade gifts.
This Frosted Lattice Snowflake Placemat is more than just a table accessory — it's a statement piece that brings warmth and artistry to your winter dining. The combination of cables, lace, and bobbles creates a rich texture that's both visually stunning and satisfying to knit. Whether you're an experienced knitter looking for a new challenge or a confident beginner ready to tackle cables, this pattern offers a rewarding project that you'll be proud to display.
Happy knitting, and may your table be filled with snowflakes and good cheer this winter!
