Don’t you like it when ideas just fall into place and things come together? A holiday, and the desire to make something pretty and practical for a loved one. Yarn that inspires you to make something rustic. A tradition that you want to cherish … oh, and yes, pin looms!
A magic wand later you have a place mat to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
When we first launched the TexaTURTLE™ loom, we featured the Amish Table Topper project, made of a large hexagon bordered with squares and triangles. Even then it was clear that the possibilities are – as usual – plentiful, using different yarns and colors.
For this Valentine’s Day, though, I wanted to make something with hearts, and it just happened that the hearts that I was weaving landed on a photo of the Amish Table Topper. The rest is history, as they say.
The center of the place mat is made of one 6” hexagon on the TexaTURTLE™ loom, surrounded by six squares (3.5” Hazel Rose Square loom) and six hearts (Hazel Rose Large Sweetheart loom).
While you can use any worsted weight yarn, I used Berroco Suede, my favorite yarn when I want to achieve a faux suede effect. I combined it with Berroco Plush, which adds a fleece like contrast to the “leather”.
Since the hearts are a little bit wider than the triangles, I’ve used an applique method to attach the hearts to the place mat. You can find free project instructions on Ravelry in the “Country Valentine” project.
What’s the “tradition”, you ask? No Valentine’s Day without chocolate, and I chose Pangburn’s Millionaires, a Texas staple made of honey caramel and pecans, covered in milk chocolate.
While the Pangburn business is now part of a larger company, the chocolates are still made in Corsicana, Texas, and many Texans will still give you the “approved” look when you mention the name.
Country style place mat with Texan chocolate … the only thing missing is a cup of coffee and George Strait singing “Amarillo by Morning” …
PS: If you are already set for Valentine’s Day … the project will be a perfect fit for Mother’s Day, too.