Free preview · full pattern in the Heirloom Doilies & Tablecloths
Philodendron Place Mat Set (1948): vintage crochet pattern
A set of four rectangular place mats in open treble-crochet mesh with a leaf design, worked with a double strand of thread. Each mat measures about 12 × 16½ inches. Originally published as "Philodendron Crocheted Set" in New Tablecloths (Star Book No. 57) by American Thread Company in 1948, it is now in the public domain.
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Reviewed · Editorial policy
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Reviewed September 14, 2026 under our editorial policy · pattern testing in progress
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Skill level | Intermediate |
| Yarn weight | Lace (#0) |
| Yardage | 810–900 yd (741–823 m) |
| Hook | 1.8 mm |
| Gauge | Not given in the original — work to the printed finished size (see pattern). |
| Finished size | Not printed |
| Time | about 3 hours |
Materials
- De Luxe Mercerized Crochet and Knitting Cotton (Article 346), used double — size not printed; choose a cotton thread that, doubled, matches the printed mat size
- Yardage: 3 balls × 300 yd = about 900 yd for 4 mats, as printed
- Tapestry needle, rustproof pins and starch for blocking
- Hook: Start with a 1.8 mm (US 6) steel hook — the printed size is #6 — and change size so a mat measures about 12 × 16½ inches.
Abbreviations (US terms)
Notes before you start
- Source: "Philodendron Crocheted Set", New Tablecloths (Star Book No. 57), American Thread Company, 1948. Public domain in the USA.
- As printed — materials: AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY; “DE LUXE” MERCERIZED CROCHET AND; KNITTING COTTON, ARTICLE 346; 3—300 yd. Balls White or Ecru will make 4 mats. Steel Crochet Hook #6. Each mat measures about 12 x 16½ inches. Mats are worked with a double strand of thread.. Gauge: Not given.
- Modernisation note: Transcribed from the original publication; stitches, repeats and their order are unchanged.
- Modernisation note: Run-on paragraphs split into one round, row or step per line.
- Modernisation note: The source leaflets already use US crochet terms; only abbreviations and wording were modernised.
- Modernisation note: “tr c” → “tr”
- Modernisation note: “d c” → “dc”
- Modernisation note: Round/row labels rewritten in modern form (e.g. “2nd Round.” → “Rnd 2:”, “7th to 10th rnds incl:” → “Rnds 7–10:”)
- Modernisation note: “d tr c” → “dtr”
- Modernisation note: “break thread” → “fasten off”
- Modernisation note: Page numbers, page-continuation notes and illustration references removed.
- Modernisation note: No gauge is printed. Suggested check: work to the printed finished size (see the pattern) and change hook size if your piece is noticeably larger or smaller.
- Modernisation note: Stitch counts have not been added; where the original prints a count it is kept as printed.
Instructions
- Ch 95, tr in 15th st from hook, ch 1, skip 1 st of ch, tr in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st of ch, tr in next st, * ch 5, skip 5 sts of ch, tr in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st of ch, tr in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st of ch, tr in next st, repeat from * 6 times, ch 5, tr in last st of ch.
- Row 2: Ch 8, turn, dc in 1st tr, * dc in next ch 1 mesh, dc in next tr, repeat from * once, * ch 5, dc in next tr, dc in next ch 1 mesh, dc in next tr, dc in next ch 1 mesh, dc in next tr, repeat from * 6 times, ch 5, skip 5 sts of ch, dc in next st.
- 3rd and
- Row 4: Ch 8, turn, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc, * ch 5, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc, repeat from * 6 times, ch 5, skip 5 sts of ch, dc in next st.
- Row 5: Ch 9, turn, * tr in next dc, ch 1, skip 1 dc, tr in next dc, ch 1, skip 1 dc, tr in next dc, ch 5, repeat from * across row, skip 5 sts of ch, tr in next st. Repeat the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th rows 4 times, without breaking thread start border, ch 13 and working across short side skip 1 row, dc over end st of next row, * ch 10, skip 3 rows, dc over end st of next row, repeat from * 3 times, ch 10, dc in center st at corner, ch 10, dc in same corner loop, ch 10, skip 1 tr, dc in next tr, * ch 10, dc in center tr of next tr group, repeat from * 6 times, ch 10, dc in corner loop, ch 10, dc in corner st of same loop, ch 10, skip 1 row, dc over end st of next row, * ch 10, skip 3 rows, dc over end st of next row, repeat from * 3 times, ch 10, dc in center st at corner, ch 10, dc in same corner loop, ch 10, skip 1 tr, dc in next tr, * ch 10, dc in center tr of next group, repeat from * 6 times, ch 10, dc in corner loop, ch 5, dtr (3 times over needle) in 3rd st of 1st ch 13, this brings thread in position for next row.
- There should be 8 loops on each narrow side including corners and 11 loops on each long side including corners (34 loops).
- Next row: Ch 13, dc in next loop, * ch 10, dc in next loop, repeat from * all around ending row same as last row.
- Next row: Same as last row but ending row with ch 10, sl st in 3rd st of ch, fasten off.
Continue this pattern
The rest of the Philodendron Place Mat Set (1948) pattern is in the Heirloom Doilies & Tablecloths
Still to come in the full pattern:
- Finishing
Included with 48 patterns for $19 — $0.40 per pattern.
Errata
No corrections have been published for this pattern. Found a mistake? Tell us and we will log the fix here with a date.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Philodendron Crocheted Set pattern from?
It was published as "Philodendron Crocheted Set" in New Tablecloths (Star Book No. 57) by American Thread Company in 1948. The publication is in the public domain in the United States; this version is transcribed and modernised by crochetpatterns.io.
What yarn or thread do I need for the Philodendron Crocheted Set?
De Luxe Mercerized Crochet and Knitting Cotton. 3 balls × 300 yd = about 900 yd for 4 mats, as printed
What hook should I use?
Start with a 1.8 mm (US 6) steel hook — the printed size is #6 — and change size so a mat measures about 12 × 16½ inches. Gauge: Not given in the original — work to the printed finished size (see pattern).
