Easter is just around the corner for many of us. The holiday is likely to be different this year with many of us practicing social distancing and staying at home, but that doesn’t mean we cant still enjoy it! I have always loved this time of year, with the start of spring seeming to wake up the natural world from a long and cold slumber, a sentiment I am even more grateful for now. So as I stood in my office (aka yarn warehouse) looking for inspiration in my stash, I was drawn to the new yarn by Loops and Threads – Cotton Colours in the the colour Starfish. The pastel blues, aquas and yellows just scream spring and Easter to me. Being 100% cotton I decided it would be perfect for some Easter table decor, and after a few attempts (and frogging!) I designed some placemats using the bunny stitch that I created a few weeks ago. Using the same general pattern, this could also be easily adapted into a lovely table runner by just changing the dimensions to suit your table. Alas, I do not have a dinning room table to put it on, but the pattern uses a repeat of three stitches for anyone that wants to make one!
Materials
- Approximately 200 yards of Loops and Threads Cotton Colours Yarn (or other Worsted Weight/#4 100% Cotton yarn)
- Colour used was Starfish
- Approximately 50 yards of Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in a contrasting colour
- Colour used was Silver
- 5.75 mm hook
- Tapestry needle
Size
This pattern makes 1 placemat approximately 13″ by 18″
Gauge
15 stitches by 17 rows is 4″ by 4″ square
Stitches
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- Puff stitch – working in the same stitch, yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. You will now have 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. You will now have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. You will now have 4 loops on your hook. Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. You will now have 5 loops on your hook. Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. You will now have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all loops. This will form the bunnies body.
- Double crochet V-stitch – working in the same stitch, double crochet, chain 2, double crochet. This will form the bunnies ears.
Pattern
Chain 58.
Row 1: with colour A, sc in second loop from your hook. sc across, chain 1, turn (57).
Row 2: sc in each stitch across, chain 1, turn (57).
Row 3: sc in each stitch across, change to colour B chain 2, turn (57).


Row 4: The chain 2 will count as the first stitch in the puff stitch. Working in the first stitch, complete the puff stitch (Ch 2 + 4 DC together. ch 2, skip 2. *Puff stitch, ch 2, skip 2* across. Chain 4 after last puff, turn (19 puff stitches).












Row 5: Double crochet in the first chain stitch. *dc, ch 2, dc* in each ch1 above each puff stitch. Change to colour A in the last stitch, ch 1, turn.



Row 6: 1 sc in each double crochet and each chain space across, chain 1, turn (57).

Row 7-35: sc in each stitch across, ch 1, turn (57). Change to colour B in the last stitch of row 35.
Row 36: repeat row 4
Row 37: repeat row 5
Row 38: repeat row 6
Row 39-40: sc in each stitch across, ch 1, turn (57).
Border:
Row 1: Sc evenly around the piece, placing a sc in each row end and 2 sc in each corner. When working across the gap where the bunnies are, place 4 foundation single crochet stitches as follows. Chain 2, insert hook into first ch 1, draw up a loop (this will be the foundation loop that you will work the next stitch into), so that you have 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through 1st loop. Yarn over and pull through both loops (this is the sc). Insert hook into that foundation loop and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through one loop (this is the next foundation loop), yarn over and pull through both loops (the second sc). Repeat 2 more times to span the gap, then continue sc into the ends of each row. Once you have gone around the entire piece, slip stitch to the first stitch to join.






Row 2: *ch 3, skip 1 stitch, slip stitch into next stitch*. Repeat around the entire piece. When you get to the last stitch chain 3.


Row 3: slip stitch into the top of the first chain 3 of row 2. *Chain 3, slip stitch into the top of the chain 3 below* repeat around, fastening off when you slip stitch to the top of the first chain 3 in the third row.



I love how the different placemats look depending on your starting point with this long variegated yarn. I think the colour changes are fun and happy!
As always, feel free to make this for personal use or sale, however, remember to give me credit for the pattern by linking my FB of IG accounts (One Knotty Dog). Please do not distribute copies of the pattern or my photographs without my permission. I would love to see all of your creations! Tag me or use the hashtag #oneknottydog, #thebunniesgomarching or #bunnystitch. Send me an email to oneknottydog@gmail.com with any questions!
Happy making,
Britteny