A step-by-step guide to crocheting the Isla Placemat and Coaster Set
Ever gotten halfway through a project and thought “Hang on, am I even doing this right?” We have 🙋♀️
That’s why we’ve created these step-by-step guides to walk you through the crocheting process.
Even if you've never crocheted before, we'll take you from zero to crochet hero in no time 🦸♀️
When it comes to learning to crochet, practice makes perfect.
Before we get started on the pattern we suggest you spend a bit of time learning the basic stitches you’ll need to complete your tableware.
The champagne won't be the only thing poppin' at your next dinner party! The Isla coasters and placemats are a great beginner crochet project. Made using single crochets and a magic ring technique we'll crochet in rounds and increase stitches as we go.
🧶 Before we start, you'll want to be confident with doing single crochets, slip stitches and identifying your stitches. The best way to do this is to create a foundation chain and do some rows (back and forth) of single crochet.
You can use the yarn that came in your kit to practice these stitches. Once you've got these mastered you'll find the pattern a cinch!
Total beginner? 👩🏫
For a more comprehensive lesson on the basics of crochet visit our Learn How To Crochet page.
Onto the Isla Set!
This blog covers the techniques you'll follow for both the placemats and the coasters. So if you've bought the set or just the coasters, you'll follow the same process.
💪 Remember learning a new skill can be a little challenging at first, and you’re bound to find yourself making some mistakes along the way. But as with learning anything, your brain and your hands slowly start to get the hang of it, muscle memory is created, and soon the thing you found tricky/daunting/scary is like second nature!
⚡️What you'll need
Your kit comes with everything you'll need to make your masterpiece. In your kit you'll find;
- 6.5mm hook
- 2-4 balls of Cardigang Chunky Cotton in colour 1
- 1-2 balls of Cardigang Chunky Cotton in colour 2
- Stitch markets
- A darning needle
- Made by me tag
You also want to have a pair of scissors and a tape measure handy.
⚡️Test your tension
Before you start your project, make sure your tension (how tightly or loosely your crocheting is) is juuuust right 🥣 We do this by making a “tension swatch”. It's a bit like goldilocks, if the tension is too tight, your piece will be too small, and if it's too loose it may not hold its shape and might be too big.
Gauge: If done correctly, your 10x10cm swatch should be 10 stitches wide and 12 rows high when made in single crochet on a 6.5mm hook.
To test this, let's jump on the hook. Chain on 14 + 2 stitches (the +2 makes your turning chain), then work in single crochet for 14 rows. Then measure a 10x10cm square and count your stitches and rows within that space to make sure you're crocheting at the correct tension.
If you've got more stitches or rows than the instructions say you should have, your work is a little too tight, and if you've got less your work is too loose. Adjust your tension by holding the yarn a little more tightly/loosely as you crochet.
🧶 Happy hooker, let's crochet!
Time to switch off. Stitch on. And whip up your kaleidoscopic tableware
MAGIC RING
Because we make our pieces in a circle, we need to begin with a magic ring or magic circle (same thing, different name!). So let's learn how to do this!
LET'S CROCHET IN A CIRCLE
We make our coasters and placements in a circle, increasing stitches as the piece grows. Here's how we do that.
CHANGING COLOUR
Once you've completed the allocated number of rounds, you'll need to change colour to complete the contrast colour edging.
FASTEN OFF
Fasten off by cutting your yarn from the ball and pulling it through the stitch on your hook.
Well done! Your first piece is done 💥💃
Repeat until all your pieces are done.
FINISHING
The good news, you're basically finished! The less-good news, we need to weave in our tails! Grab your darning needle and sew all the loose tails of yarn back into the placemat/coaster. This gives your pieces a nice neat finish.
BLOCKING
Blocking is an optional step in the crochet process but it's one we highly recommend for your coasters and placements. Blocking will help to ensure your pieces lay flat and keep their shape.
VIDEO COMING
D.O.N.E! You've finished your bangin' tableware set, well done! Epic work 🤩 If this was your first-ever crochet project or one of many, we hope you had a blast making your sweet, sweet tableware 💥❤️
In a bind and need a little more help?
Email us at stitchup@cardigang.com.au and we'll be able to help! Whether you're just starting out, or you've got a specific question or problem (dropped a stitch, no stress!), we're here to get you out of a bind.