Crochet Braided Bath Mat
Crochet an easy, luxurious bath mat in whatever colours fit your decor or personality using this free pattern!
Why a Crochet Bath Mat?
I’m a big believer that something crocheted should serve a purpose. This is especially true when it is something that I would have bought anyway. Who doesn’t want to make their own things - especially when it fills a need for you or somebody else?
When I was in my local Wal-Mart and saw the yarn I used in this project, I knew it needed to be turned into a bath mat with its colours and texture. When considering how to start designing a crochet bath mat for the first time, I thought of how I could make one that felt and looked the way that I wanted. I took a little bit to think about my favorite bath mats, the different styles they had, and how I loved the plush feeling some of them gave me - but what style did I want?
After I had my favourite qualities in mind (and plenty of swatching) I was able to put together a crochet bath mat pattern that I think is doable for most skill levels, (if I can do it, anybody can!) and will give you a finished product that looks and feels great. The loops in this pattern give the bath mat great squish, and they allow for an easy-to-achieve braided look. It also works up quickly - which is a BONUS!
This bath mat is so soft underneath your feet! My cat would sleep on it every time I took a break he liked it so much.
The Yarn
If you’ve ever tried Bernat Blanket (link) yarn - you know what I’m talking about. It’s a chenille-style yarn, consisting of a single solid thread in the middle, surrounded by fluffy fibres that run down the length of the middle thread. This provides a squishy and soft result no matter what stitch or pattern is used. Best of all, this yarn is extremely versatile - I have crocheted blankets (of course), slippers, and now bath mats using it! I have plans to use it for winter accessories as well - it is great for quick-to-make, affordable and luxe-feeling projects.
Bernat Blanket is a chenille-style yarn, consisting of a single solid thread in the middle, surrounded by fluffy fibres that run down the length of the middle thread.
For this pattern you could use any of the Bernat Blanket yarns, but to achieve easy striping I chose to use the self-changing Bernat Blanket Stripes. My advice when buying your cakes is to look for cakes with aligning colour patterns. For example, if your first cake ends on one colour, try and get a second cake that starts on the next colour of the colourway pattern you chose. Follow the same process for choosing your third cake after you’ve found your second one. This way you can have cakes that follow the colour sequence throughout without too much thinking on your part when switching to a new cake. Of course you will always want to check and make sure the dye lots are the same.
If you have a cake that doesn’t quite line up the way you would like, (starts on the wrong colour in the stripe pattern for example) cut the yarn so that it starts on the colour you want. Don’t be scared - you can incorporate this separate strand of yarn when its colour comes back into the pattern. This way you won’t waste yarn but you’ll still get the colour sequence you want. By weaving in the ends securely you can feel confident that the project will not come undone.
You can use any of the Bernat Blanket yarns when crocheting this bath mat. Change this crochet bath mat up by using the colours you like, or even making it in one solid colour for a more minimalist or contemporary look. Many of the Bernat Blanket variations are the same yarn but different colours, making the combinations endless. When using a non-traditional Bernat Blanket variation like Twist you will just want to make sure that your gauge matches. Some more unique Bernat Blanket options would be styles with a different yarn weight like Bernat Blanket Tiny or Jumbo - again, just be checking your gauge with these other Bernat Blanket styles and shorten the amount of chains or rows you need to get the size you want.
The ability to pick what variety of Bernat Blanket yarns to use means that you’ll never have to sacrifice a specific colour since all of the lines and colourways work great together. Use your personal flair and choose what matches your decor!
The Hook
For this pattern, I used an 8mm Clover Amour crochet hook. My favourite hooks bigger than a 7mm are my Clover Amours because they offer great comfort, maneuverability and smoothness while still being affordable and lightweight. The ergonomic grip on these babies is a wrist and hand saver!
With the handles being different colours for each size, it doesn’t take long to adjust and know which color of hook you need to reach for.
The Pattern
Yarn
3 Cakes of Bernat Baby Blanket Stripes (I used Seaglass) - 10.5oz / 300g | 220 yds / 201 m
Hook
8mm Clover Amour
Gauge
I’ll be honest - I forgot to take a gauge measurement when designing this pattern.
After working your first row or two in the pattern, take a look at the width of the project. If you think this will be too small or big for your liking, try adjusting based on the starting count mentioned in the notes section below!
Finished Project Size
Length - approx. 30 in / 76.2 cm
Width - approx. 20.5 in / 52.1 cm
Abbreviations
st - stitch; ch - chain; sl st - slip stitch; sc - single crochet;
Notes
Multiples of 3 + 1 for changing size
Worked lengthwise, with chains worked on right side of work to accomplish braided effect
Work slip stitches at either side loosely to prevent them from curving once finished
Foundation: Chain 46.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook. Sl st in next st. Ch 6 and slip st in same st. (Sc in next 2 sts. Slip st in next st. Ch 8, slip st in same st. Sc in next 2 sts. Slip st in next st. Ch 6, slip st in same st). Repeat ( ) across the row until st before the last st - you will have just completed a sl st into the base of your last ch 6. Sc in last st. Ch 1 & turn. | 45 sts |
—> The chain may look wonky/curvy at this point - trust me, it will straighten out as we go!
Row 2: Sc in first st. (Sc in same space as prev row slip sts, sc in next 2 sts). Repeat ( ) to last st, sc in last st. Ch 1 & turn. | 45 sts |
Row 3: Sc in first st. Sl st in next st. Ch 8, slip st in same st. (Sc in next 2 sts. Sl st in next st. Ch 8, sl st in same st). Repeat ( ) to last st. Sc in next st. Ch 1 & turn.
Row 4: Repeat row 2. | 45 sts |
Rows 5 - 83: Repeat rows 3 and 4, ending on row 3. | 45 sts |
Some options here:
(Left): You can leave your loops unbraided (skip to row 84, and ignore the loops, working regular sc and sl sts only to end.
(Top Right): you can braid one column of the loops, and anchor them on the side they run towards. Follow the braiding instructions, completing only odd columns - then continue from row 84. When attaching to foundation side, ignore loops and work sc and sl sts only).
(Bottom Right): Follow the braiding instructions and the rest of the pattern as described!
Braiding (see photo): To braid loose chains - working on odd rows starting with row 3
Pull loose chs from row THROUGH chs from previous odd row .
Start with pulling row 3 ch loops through foundation ch loops. Move to pulling row 5 ch loops through row 3 ch loops. Continue in this pattern until last row, leaving row 83 ch loops loose.
Refer to these photos for a quick visual on braiding the crochet loops!
I recommend starting with braiding loops in even (2, 4, 6, etc.) columns first (foundation up towards finishing row). Once completed, you can turn the bath mat 180 degrees and repeat the braiding with the untouched loops in the odd columns, which will be secured to the foundation row later.
Using alternating ch 8s and ch 6s in the first and last rows keeps the end loops of the braids the same size as the rest of the loops.
Once you’ve finished braiding the loops in each column, you should end up with these eye-catching, alternate braids.
Row 84: Repeat row 2. | 45 sts |
Row 85 (see photo below): Sc through/over loops into tops of previous row sts - 3 sc per loop. This will anchor them at the top. (Sc in next three sts, working through braid loop from row 83 that we pulled through. Basic single crochet in next 3 sts). Repeat ( ) to end of row, ending on 3 sc worked through the final loop. Ch 1 & turn. | 45 sts |
Row 86: Sc in each st. Ch 1 & turn. | 45 sts |
Row 87: Slip st in each st. | 45 sts |
Fasten off.
Finishing the Foundation Edge
To anchor the chain loops at the starting edge in the same way as the finishing edge, we need to reattach our yarn to the last st on the foundation row, but not the ‘wrong’ side (TOP RIGHT CORNER ONE ON BACK SIDE). From here we will work our last 3 rows to make both ends uniform.
It is very similar to row 85, with the loops being worked through on every even set of sc instead of the odd ones (alternating braids remember?), and the loops will be on the back side of the anchoring row when you work this side.
Attach the yarn to the last st you worked in the foundation row - use the loop on the bottom of the beginning chain, underneath your previously worked stitch.
Row 1: Repeat row 2. | 45 sts |
Row 2: (Sc in next 3 sts, sc through braid loop into next three sts.) repeat ( ) to end of row, ending on a non-loop set of sc sts. Ch 1 & turn. | 45 sts |
Row 3: Sc in each st. Ch 1 & turn. | 45 sts |
Row 4: Sl st in each st across. | 45 sts |
Fasten off.
Finished!
Sew in your ends and you’re ready to enjoy this new piece of bathroom decor!
What I used:
Bernat Blanket Stripes
Clover Amour 8mm hook
Darning needle
