Stitch Switch

I subscribe to Crochet Today magazine and even though I read each issue cover-to-cover the first day I receive it, I like to reread my issues again and again. Just to satisfy my eye candy cravings and to gain some inspiration. This habit of mine came in handy when I set out to crochet a placemat for my brother. I knew I wanted to do something really different and try out a difficult crochet stitch pattern for this placemat--just to keep things interesting. I quickly remembered a cable pattern from the Jan/Feb 2009 issue of CT and went with it. I never did cables in crochet before so I delved into the unknown. . .

I took the stitch pattern from the Layering Cardi pattern:

And made it into a placemat:

Psst! Want to try out the yummy empanada that's being served on my placemat? Read about my empanada kitchen episode on my cooking blog, Sabbath Supper.

Here are some pattern notes:

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Coffee, about 6 ounces
Hook: Size F.
Stitch Patterns: Cable and Puff and Diagonal Pattern found in the Jan/Feb 2009 issue of CT.