This is a pretty placemat crocheted with cotton thread and decorated with flowers and leaves crocheted with embroidery floss. Use the flower and leaf pattern to decorate other linens; pillow cases, tablecloths, runners and towels, or decorate clothing hems, lapels, pants legs. Decorate accessories such as purses and scarves.

FOUNDATION:
With light blue and No. 13 crochet hook, make a ch 21 inches long.
Row 1: Dc in 9th ch from hook, ch 2, dc in same st, * ch 2, sk next 5 ch, in next ch make a shell of (dc, ch 2, dc). Repeat from * for 16 inches, ch 2, sk next 2 ch, dc in next ch. Cut and rip excess ch.
Row 2: Ch 5, turn, (dc, ch 2, dc) in centre sp of next shell, (ch 2, a shell in next shell) repeated across, end with ch 2, dc in end sp.
Repeat Row 2 for 4 1/4 inches. Fasten off.
Next row: Turn, join pink to last dc and work in pattern for 2 3/4 inches. Fasten off.
Turn, join light blue again and repeat as many rows as in first light blue band. Fasten off.

Edge: Join darker blue to one corner, ch 3, 4 dc in same st, then work dc closely around edge, putting 5 dc in centre st at each corner. Join.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn and working tightly, make a sl st in each dc around, to hold edge firm and prevent stretching. Join and fasten off.

LARGE FLOWER:
With scarlet floss and No. 7 hook, ch 6, join with sl st to form ring.
Row 1: Ch 1, 9 sc in ring, join with sl st in first sc.
Petals: * Ch 12, sk 4 ch, tr in next 4 ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in next sc on ring. Repeat from * 8 times (9 petals). Fasten off.
Centre: With deep yellow floss, ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook.
Row 2: Without joining and working in back lps, make (2 sc in next sc) 6 times.
Row 3: Sc in 12 sc around. Sl st in next sc, cut 8 inches long, thread to a needle and sew circle in centre of flower. Make 2 flowers.

SMALL FLOWER:
With deep yellow floss, ch 2, 5 sc in second ch from hook, join with sl st in back lp of first sc.
Row 2: * Ch 3, 3 dc in same st, ch 3, sl st in same st, sl st in next sc. Repeat from * 4 times (5 petals). Fasten off. Make 2.
With scarlet floss make 4 French knots in centre of each flower, winding it 5 times around needle.
Make 2 small flowers each in canary yellow with lavender French knots, in amethyst with canary yellow French knots, in lavender with amethyst French knots, in shaded yellows with scarlet French knots and 4 in dark rose pink with pea green French knots.

LARGE FERN LEAF:
With pea green, ch 12, * sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, sl st in next ch. * (Ch 7, repeat from * to *) 6 times (7 leaves made). Sl st in next 2 ch of stem, (ch 5, repeat from * to *, sl st in 2 ch between next 2 leaves) 5 times, ch 5, repeat from * to *, sl st in each remaining ch of stem. Fasten off. Make two.

SMALL FERN LEAF:
Repeat large fern leaf through 4 leaves, sl st in next 2 ch of stem, (ch 5, make a leaf, sl st in 2 ch between next 2 leaves) twice, ch 5, make a leaf, sl st in each remaining ch of stem. Fasten off. Make 4.

TRIPLE LEAF:
With shaded green, ch 17, * sc in second ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 4 ch, hdc in next ch, sl st in next ch. * Ch 12, repeat from * to *, sl st in next 2 ch sts, ch 10, repeat from * to *, sk opposite leaf, sl st in each ch of stem. Fasten off. Make 10.

Following illustration, sew half the flowers and leaves on one end of foundation. Reverse and sew the remaining motifs on the other end. Stretch and pin mat right-side-down in true shape. Steam and press dry through a cloth.