Frosted Pinecone Placemat Set Free Pattern – Crochet a Woodland Winter Table

Bring the quiet beauty of a snow-dusted forest to your holiday table with these textured pinecone placemats. Each mat is a cozy, handmade statement that turns every meal into a woodland retreat. The rich forest green base, cream puff-stitch pinecone body, and rust/copper accents create a rustic, nature-inspired look that pairs beautifully with neutral dinnerware, candlelight, and evergreen centerpieces. This free crochet pattern is perfect for intermediate beginners ready to try a new stitch, and it makes a thoughtful handmade gift for hostesses, teachers, or anyone who loves woodland decor.

This placemat is worked in one piece from the center outward, using a combination of single crochet, half double crochet, and puff stitches to create the pinecone texture. The border is worked in the round. The finished placemat measures approximately 12 inches in diameter—ideal for a standard dinner plate setting. Make a set of four or six to complete your holiday table.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. All yarn amounts are per placemat—multiply by the number of placemats you plan to make.

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn in three colors:
  • MC (Forest Green): Approximately 250g (about 500 yards)
  • CC1 (Cream): Approximately 100g (about 200 yards)
  • CC2 (Rust/Copper): Approximately 50g (about 100 yards)
• Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
• Notions: Yarn needle for weaving ends, sharp scissors
• Optional: Stitch markers to keep track of rounds and the center section

Gauge: 14 sc x 16 rows = 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cm) with MC. Gauge is not critical, but consistent tension is recommended for even shaping. If your circle ruffles or cups, adjust your hook size accordingly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked in three main sections: the circular base, the pinecone motif (tip, body, and base), and the decorative border. Read through the entire pattern before starting, and refer to the special stitch instructions at the end when you reach the puff stitches.

Part 1: The Circular Base (Worked in the Round)

With MC, make a magic ring.

• Round 1: Ch 1, 8 sc into ring. Pull tail to tighten ring closed. Join with sl st to first sc. (8 sc)
• Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around. Join with sl st to first sc. (16 sc)
• Round 3: Ch 1, *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat from * to * around. Join. (24 sc)
• Round 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat from * to * around. Join. (32 sc)
• Round 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat from * to * around. Join. (40 sc)

Continue increasing in this manner—adding one more sc between increases each round—until you have a circle with a diameter of approximately 10 inches. This will take about 12–14 rounds total, ending with 96–112 sc. To check your progress, lay the circle flat and measure across the center. If the edges curl up, your tension is too tight; if it ruffles, your tension is too loose. Adjust your hook size if needed.

Part 2: The Pinecone Motif

Now you will work back and forth in rows to create the pinecone shape in the center of the placemat. This motif has three parts: the tip (a small triangle), the body (worked in the round with puff stitches), and the base (a rust/copper band).

Step 2A: Pinecone Tip (Triangle)

Find the center of your circle and mark the middle 8 stitches with stitch markers. This is your working section.

• Row 1 (RS): With MC, join yarn at the right edge of the marked section. Ch 1, sc in same st and in next 7 sts. Turn. (8 sc)
• Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog (single crochet two together), sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (6 sc)
• Row 3: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (4 sc)
• Row 4: Ch 1, sc2tog twice. Turn. (2 sc)
• Row 5: Ch 1, sc2tog. Fasten off. (1 sc)

This creates a small triangle that forms the tip of the pinecone. Weave in this end later.

Step 2B: Pinecone Body (Puff Stitch Rounds)

With RS facing, join CC1 at the base of the triangle on the right side (where the triangle meets the circle).

• Setup: Ch 1, work 12 sc evenly along the right edge of the triangle, then 12 sc along the left edge back to the base. Join with sl st to first sc. (24 sc)
• Round 1: Ch 1, sc in same st, *puff stitch in next st (see special stitch below), sc in next st* repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to first sc. (12 puff stitches)
• Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around (working sc in the tops of the puff stitches and the sc stitches). Join. (24 sc)
• Round 3: Repeat Round 1.
• Round 4: Repeat Round 2.
• Round 5: Repeat Round 1.
• Round 6: Repeat Round 2.

Fasten off CC1 and weave in the end. The puff stitches will naturally create a raised, scaly texture that mimics a pinecone.

Step 2C: Pinecone Base

With RS facing, join CC2 at the base of the pinecone body (where the cream section meets the green circle).

• Round 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire base of the pinecone (about 24 sc). Join with sl st to first sc.

Fasten off CC2 and weave in the end. This rust/copper band grounds the pinecone and adds a warm autumn accent.

Part 3: Placemat Border

With RS facing, join MC at any point on the outer edge of the circle.

• Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each sc around the entire placemat, working 3 sc in each corner (if your circle has become slightly oval, add extra sc at the sides to keep it flat). Join with sl st to first sc. (approx. 120–140 sc)
• Round 2: Ch 1, *sc in next st, ch 2, skip next st* repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to first sc. (This creates a picot-like edge)
• Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each sc and 2 sc in each ch-2 space around. Join with sl st to first sc.

Fasten off. Weave in all ends with your yarn needle. Block the placemat gently if desired to even out the stitches and flatten the circle.

Special Stitch – Puff Stitch

This stitch creates the pinecone texture. Practice on a swatch first if you are new to puff stitches.

1. Yarn over, insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
2. Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook).
3. Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (7 loops on hook).
4. Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops on hook.
5. Ch 1 to close the puff stitch.

Tip: Keep your tension relaxed when pulling up loops—if you pull too tight, the puff will be difficult to close and look flat. The ch 1 after closing is essential; it secures the stitch and counts as part of the pattern repeat.

Finishing Your Placemat Set

Repeat the entire pattern to make a set of 4 or 6 placemats. For a cohesive tablescape, pair them with natural linen napkins, wooden chargers, and a simple evergreen garland running down the center of the table. The cream and rust accents will pick up the warm glow of candlelight beautifully.

These placemats also make wonderful gifts—roll them up, tie with a ribbon, and attach a handwritten care card with washing instructions (gentle machine wash, cold, lay flat to dry).

Enjoy your woodland winter table, and happy crocheting!