Table-Mats From String.

From Woman’s Weekly, 16th March 1918.

Table-Mats From String.

THIS little mat being published by special request, for some readers have collected all odd pieces of string of the same thickness, and want to make mats for their kitchen tables.  Of course, from macrame string, or other string of good appearance, you could make a mat fit for any table or on the sideboard before placing hot dishes on it.  The string used for the mine-sweepers' gloves makes the better mats.  Use a strong steel hook, coarse enough to take the string. 

ABBREVIATIONS : Ch., chain ; d.c., double crochet ; tr., treble. 

Work rather tightly. and begin with 3 ch.  Into the first of the ch. make 5 d.c., and draw up the end of the string so as to close the centre compactly. 

2ND ROUND:  2 d. c. into every stitch of preceding round.  Take up the back loop of the stitches throughout, so as to get a ribbed effect. –

3RD ROUND:  * 2 d.c. into the first stitch, d.c. in the next; repeat from * all round.  The increasing is begun in this round.

4TH ROUND:  * 2 d.c. into first stitch, 1 d.c. in each of next 2 stitches; repeat from * all round. 

5TH ROUND: * 2 d.c. into first stitch, 1 d.c. in each of next 3 stitches; repeat from *.

You will notice that every round begins with an increasing made by working 2 d.c. into the first stitch of preceding round, and the number of d.c. between each increase is one more in each section in each round. 

Continue to work in this way until there are thirteen stitches between the increasings.  By following these instructions the mat may be made any required size, and will set quite flat on the table.  

When the middle is done, work the fans all round.  In the first d.c. of preceding round, make * 1 tr., then 2 ch. and 1 tr. 4 times, 3 ch., miss three, 1 d.c., 3 ch., miss 3; repeat from * all round, and finish with a slipstitch into the first tr.  Cut off the string and run in the end securely at the back of the mat.