Fern Leaf Place Mat Pattern

Used as a place mat on a luncheon table; as a doily or a mat for hot plates and dishes, this unique design will elicit com­ment from all who see it. Crocheted of Enterprise Yarn it is heavy enough to protect from hottest plates and dishes. All mats in a set can be the same, or each in a different color— 4 or 6 pastel shades for the set.

MATERIALS: Each mat takes about 1½ balls (180 yds.). It is made of sections, joined after crocheting. Crochet Hook No. 1.

Size, approximately 17½" x 11½".

1st POINT: Ch 26, * (skip 1 st, sc in next 3) 3 times, (sc in 4 sts, 2 sc in next) twice, 4 sc, ch 1, turn, and working sc in only 1 loop at all times, sc in last 20 sc, (ch 1, turn, 18 sc, ch 1, turn, 20 sc) twice, sl st, ch 1, turn, skip sl st, * (3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 4 times, 3 sc.
2nd POINT: Ch 1, turn, 16 sc, ch 16, turn, (skip 1, 3 sc) 4 times, 14 sc, * ch 1, turn, 19 sc, ch 1, turn, 13 sc, ch 1, turn, 16 sc, ch 1, turn, 21 sc, ch 1, turn, (6 sc, 2 sc in next sc) twice, 10 sc, * sl st, ch 1, turn, skip sl st, 14 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 10 sc.
3rd POINT: Ch 1, turn, 18 sc, ch 17, ** turn, (skip 1 st, 3 sc) 4 times, * 18 sc, ch 1, turn, 22 sc, ch 1, turn, 17 sc, ch 1, turn, 20 sc, ch 1, turn, 13 sc, ch 1, turn, 15 sc, ch 1, turn, 26 sc, ch 1, turn, (6 sc, 2 sc in next st) 3 times, 7 sc, * sl st, ch 1, turn, skip sl st, 4 sc, (2 sc in next st, 7 sc) 3 times, 1 sc.
4th POINT: Ch 1, turn, 22 sc, ch 18, turn, (skip 1 st, 3 sc) 5 times. Repeat from * to * in 3rd Point. Ch 1, turn, 4 sc, (2 sc in next sc, 7 sc) 3 times, 1 sc, ch 1, turn, 35 sc, sl st, ch 1, turn, skip sl st, (10 sc, 2 sc in next) twice, 11 sc.
5th POINT: Repeat 4th Point.
6th POINT: Ch 1, turn, 21 sc, ch 15. Repeat 3rd Point begin­ning at **.
7th POINT: Ch 1, turn, 19 sc, ch 14, turn, (skip 1 st, 3 sc) 4 times, 15 sc. Repeat 2nd POINT from * to * Ch 1, turn, 17 sc, ch 1, turn, 18 sc, sl st, ch 1, turn, skip sl st, 25 sc.
8th POINT: Ch 1, turn, 16 sc, ch 12. Repeat 1st Point from * to * 18 sc.
9th POINT: Ch 1, turn, 9 sc, (ch 1, turn, 5 sc) 3 times, 2 sc, ch 1, turn, 7 sc, (ch 1, turn, 3 sc) 3 times, 2 sc, ch 1, turn, 5 sc, (ch 1, turn, 2 sc) 3 times, 1 sc, ch 1, turn, 3 sc, ch 2, turn, 1 sc on ch, 2 sc, 2 sc in next st, (hdc down in next sc, 2 sc in next) 8 times, hdc and sc down in single sc on end of next rib. Con­tinue in same way to end. Fasten off.

Make second half and place side by side and sew together thru 1 loop of each st.

STEM: Ch 16, skip last st, sc in 2 sts, (1 hdc in next, 2 hdc in next) to end. Fasten off and sew to end of leaf. Tack tip to side of 1st Point.

Stretch and pin leaf right-side-down in a slight curve and steam and press. It may be starched if desired.