Paw Print Love Mat – Free Crochet Pattern
Here’s a free crochet dog bowl mat pattern to help keep your pet’s eating and drinking area neat and tidy. This step-by-step Paw Print Love Mat crochet pattern includes a helpful chart and is a fun way to show your pet a little extra love.
Before we begin, I would like to thank you for visiting Jo to the World Creations, a site dedicated to helping you give the gift of crochet.
More free patterns (that make incredible crochet gifts) are on the way! Sign up for my emails using the form below and never wonder “What should I make for…” again!
Free Email Series
GET 3 FREE PDF CROCHET PATTERNS
Subscribe to my emails and get a free printable PDF crochet pattern emailed to you every day for the next 3 days!
You’ll also receive new crochet patterns and helpful resources to help you make the best crochet gifts for everyone in your life.
Crochet Dog Bowl Mat
This crochet pet mat for your dog or cat is like a placemat for your pet’s food and water bowls. It helps keep their eating and drinking area tidy, absorbs spills and adds a great touch to your home decor.
You can use any two colors of any size 4 (medium) yarn. The pattern creates a crochet pet mat that is approx. 24″ wide and 16″ high. The sizing doesn’t need to be exact so you don’t need to worry too much about gauge.
It’s Charlie tested and approved!
Use the Table of Contents below to jump to any section of this pattern or keep scrolling down for all the details and the written instructions.
Make More Paw Prints
This Paw Print Love Mat is part of my Paw Print collection, which includes these other free crochet patterns: Paw Print Coasters, Paw Print Pillow, Paw Print Bag & Paw Print Blanket.
For a limited time, and get six wonderful paw print patterns as printable PDFs for only $9.97!
Get the Paw Print Bundle Today!
Get the PDF!
Purchase the printer-friendly, ad-free PDF of this pattern that you can instantly download! It includes everything from this free pattern but you can easily save, print and access it anytime!
All-Access Membership
For only $0.14 a day, you can get this pattern as a PDF and my entire library of 180+ print-ready, ad-free PDF crochet patterns!
Pattern Details (Size, Yarn, Hook & Notes)
Skill Level
Easy (colorwork and simple stitches)
Size
The pattern creates a mat that is approx. 24” wide and 16” high.
Materials
Yarn: Any size 4 (medium) yarn in two colors:
- For the main color (A), you will need approx. 310 yds / 283 m. I used Pound of Love by Lion Brand in Oxford Gray. This yarn is size 4 (medium) and 100% premium acrylic. A skein is 1020 yds / 932 m and 16 oz / 448 g. I used less than half a skein.
- For the contrast color (B), you will need approx. 60 yds / 55 m. I used Impeccable Solid by Loops and Threads in White. This yarn is size 4 (medium) and 100% acrylic. A skein is 285 yds / 260 m and 4.5 oz / 127.5 g. I used less than a quarter of a skein.
Crochet Hook Size: H/8 (5.00 mm).
Other Materials: yarn needle, scissors, two stitch markers and a measuring tape.
Terminology
This pattern is written for right-handed crochet using standard US terminology. If you’re more familiar with UK terms, here’s my US to UK Conversion Chart.
Abbreviations
- ch = chain
- st = stitch
- sts = stitches
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- RS = right side / front
- WS = wrong side / back
Gauge
4” x 4” = 14 sc and 16 rows
Working with Two Colors
For this pattern, you will add/pick up and use the contrast color (B) only when working on the “Love” / paw print and carry the main color (A) along the wrong side (WS).
When there are no more B stitches in the row, you will drop B (you don’t carry B to the end of the row) and pick B back up on the following row. The rows are worked from right to left and then left to right so B will be close by when you need it again.
There are two times in the pattern when you need to carry B along the WS to ensure it is close by when you need it next. These times are indicated in the written instructions and on the chart.
Ensure all strands are always kept along the wrong side.
Here is more information on how to crochet with two colors including a video tutorial.
Color Legend
A = Main Color
B = Contrast Color (“Love” & the Paw Print)
Pattern Notes
- Each row has 78 stitches.
- Ch 1 and turn after every row.
- Ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
- Always work in the 1st st (the st attached to ch).
- When making a sl st, make the sl st VERY loosely to ensure you can work into it easily on the next row.
- When the instructions say: “[Hdc. Sl st.] x 3” what this means is to: hdc in the next st, sl st in the next st, hdc in the next st, sl st in the next st, hdc in the next st, sl st in the next st.
- Catch your float every 4-6 stitches (learn how to catch/trap floats here).
- Stretch your work wide after each row.
- Ensure all strands are always kept on the wrong side of the work.
- Add/switch color when you have two loops of the old color on the sc stitch BEFORE the new color stitch.
- Read the chart from right to left when working on right side rows and left to right when working on the wrong side. The chart is lightly shaded on wrong sides to help you remember. (The written instructions lists everything in the correct order).
Just a Reminder!
This pattern is also available as a PDF, which includes everything listed here but as a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF that you can instantly download, save, print, make notes on and keep forever.
Get ALL my PDF Patterns!
Only $0.14 a day!
Join the All-Access Membership and instantly download the printable version of this pattern and ALL my 180+ easy-to-follow PDF crochet patterns.
How to Crochet the Paw Print Mat
Written Instructions
Start: With A (Main Color), chain 79. (Continue using A until instructed to change colors).
For Row 1 (only), work into the back ridge loops.
Row 1 (RS): In the 2nd ch from hook, hdc. In the next ch, sl st. *Hdc in the next ch. Sl st in the next ch.* Repeat from * to * across. Reminders: each row has 78 sts (chains never count as sts). Ch 1 and turn after each row.
Row 2 (WS): (Reminder: always work into the 1st st, the st attached to the ch). *Hdc in the next st. Sl st in the next st.* Repeat from * to * across.
Rows 3 – 6: Repeat Row 2.
Row 7 (RS): [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. (Tip: Always place a stitch marker in the top of the last sl st made – the 6th st in the row. The stitch marker will help you count your sc sts). Sc in the next 66 sts. [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Rows 8 – 12: Repeat Row 7.
Row 13 (RS): With A[Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 41, with B (Contrast Color) sc 3, with A sc 14, with B sc 4, with A sc 4. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Here’s step by step how to do Row 13:
Because Row 13 is a RS (right side) row, the front of your work is facing you.
With A (Main Color): In the 1st st (the st attached to the ch), hdc. In the next st, sl st. In the next st, hdc. In the next st, sl st. In the next st, hdc. In the next st, sl st. Place a stitch marker in the top of the last sl st.
With A, sc in the next 40 sts. On the 41st st, add B (Contrast Color) and sc. Make sure the strands are kept along the wrong side (WS). Since Row 13 is a RS row, the WS in this row is facing away from you.
With B, sc in the next 2 sts. On the 3rd st, switch to A and sc. With A, sc in the next 13 sts (remember to carry B along the WS and “catch/trap” it every 4-6 sts). On the 14th st, switch to B and sc.
With B, sc in the next 3 sts. On the 4th st, switch to A and sc. Since we are not using B anymore in this row we will drop it and pick it up in the next row. With A, sc in the next 4 sts.
With A: In the next st, hdc. In the next st, sl st. In the next st, hdc. In the next st, sl st. In the next st, hdc. In the next st, sl st. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 14 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 4, with B sc 5, with A sc 12, with B sc 4, with A sc 41. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 15 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 41, with B sc 5, with A sc 9, with B sc 6, with A sc 5. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 16 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 5, with B sc 9, with A sc 4, with B sc 6, with A sc 42. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 17 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 44, with B sc 16, with A sc 6. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 18 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 6, with B sc 15, with A sc 45. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 19 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 47, with B sc 6, with A sc 2, with B sc 5, with A sc 6. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 20 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 7, with B sc 4, with A sc 4, with B sc 3, with A sc 48 (pick up B, carry it along the WS and catch B’s float every 4-6 sts for the first 40 of 48 sc sts). With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 21 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 6, with B sc 6, with A sc 8, with B sc 3, with A sc 15, with B sc 3, with A sc 14, with B sc 4, with A sc 7. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 22 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 7, with B sc 4, with A sc 13, with B sc 5, with A sc 14, with B sc 3, with A sc 8, with B sc 7, with A sc 5. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 23 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 4, with B sc 9, with A sc 6, with B sc 5, with A sc 13, with B sc 5, with A sc 13, with B sc 3, with A sc 8. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 24 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 8, with B sc 3, with A sc 6, with B sc 3, with A sc 3, with B sc 7, with A sc 12, with B sc 5, with A sc 6, with B sc 3, with A sc 2, with B sc 5, with A sc 3. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 25 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 3, with B sc 4, with A sc 3, with B sc 3, with A sc 5, with B sc 7, with A sc 8, with B sc 10, with A sc 2, with B sc 5, with A sc 5, with B sc 3, with A sc 8. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 26 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 8, with B sc 3, with A sc 4, with B sc 6, with A sc 2, with B sc 12, with A sc 6, with B sc 3, with A sc 1, with B sc 3, with A sc 4, with B sc 4, with A sc 4, with B sc 4, with A sc 2. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 27 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 2, with B sc 3, with A sc 5, with B sc 4, with A sc 4, with B sc 3, with A sc 1, with B sc 3, with A sc 5, with B sc 13, with A sc 3, with B sc 5, with A sc 4, with B sc 3, with A sc 8. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 28 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 8, with B sc 3, with A sc 5, with B sc 3, with A sc 4, with B sc 13, with A sc 4, with B sc 4, with A sc 1, with B sc 4, with A sc 3, with B sc 4, with A sc 6, with B sc 2, with A sc 2. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 29 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 7, with B sc 7, with A sc 3, with B sc 3, with A sc 3, with B sc 3, with A sc 4, with B sc 12, with A sc 13, with B sc 3, with A sc 8. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 30 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 8, with B sc 3, with A sc 13, with B sc 11, with A sc 5, with B sc 3, with A sc 3, with B sc 3, with A sc 3, with B sc 8, with A sc 6. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 31 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 4, with B sc 10, with A sc 3, with B sc 3, with A sc 3, with B sc 4, with A sc 6, with B sc 8, with A sc 4, with B sc 3, with A sc 7, with B sc 3, with A sc 8. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 32 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 8, with B sc 3, with A sc 6, with B sc 5, with A sc 4, with B sc 5, with A sc 8, with B sc 4, with A sc 3, with B sc 3, with A sc 3, with B sc 4, with A sc 2, with B sc 5, with A sc 3. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 33 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 2, with B sc 5, with A sc 3, with B sc 3, with A sc 4, with B sc 3, with A sc 4, with B sc 4, with A sc 16, with B sc 6, with A sc 5, with B sc 3, with A sc 8. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 34 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 8, with B sc 3, with A sc 5, with B sc 5, with A sc 17, with B sc 4, with A sc 4, with B sc 4, with A sc 3, with B sc 3, with A sc 4, with B sc 4, with A sc 2. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 35 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 2, with B sc 3, with A sc 4, with B sc 4, with A sc 3, with B sc 4, with A sc 5, with B sc 3, with A sc 5, with B sc 2, with A sc 5, with B sc 2, with A sc 4, with B sc 4, with A sc 5, with B sc 3, with A sc 8. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 36 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 8, with B sc 3, with A sc 6, with B sc 2, with A sc 4, with B sc 4, with A sc 3, with B sc 4, with A sc 3, with B sc 4, with A sc 6, with B sc 3, with A sc 3, with B sc 5, with A sc 2, with B sc 3, with A sc 3. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 37 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 3, with B sc 9, with A sc 4, with B sc 3, with A sc 6, with B sc 4, with A sc 3, with B sc 4, with A sc 3, with B sc 4, with A sc 12, with B sc 4, with A sc 7. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 38 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 7, with B sc 4, with A sc 11, with B sc 5, with A sc 3, with B sc 4, with A sc 3, with B sc 4, with A sc 6, with B sc 4, with A sc 4, with B sc 7, with A sc 4. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 39 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 5, with B sc 5, with A sc 5, with B sc 4, with A sc 7, with B sc 3, with A sc 3, with B sc 4, with A sc 4, with B sc 4, with A sc 11, with B sc 4, with A sc 7. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 40 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 6, with B sc 4, with A sc 13, with B sc 2, with A sc 6, with B sc 2, with A sc 4, with B sc 3, with A sc 8, with B sc 3, with A sc 6, with B sc 3, with A sc 6. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 41 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 56 (pick up B at the 11th st and, carry it along WS and catch B’s float every 4-6 sts from the 11th to 56th sc st), with B sc 4, with A sc 6. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 42 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 6, with B sc 4, with A sc 56. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 43 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 57, with B sc 3, with A sc 6. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 44 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 5, with B sc 4, with A sc 57. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 45 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 57, with B sc 4, with A sc 5. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 46 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 5, with B sc 3, with A sc 58. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 47 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 58, with B sc 4, with A sc 4. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 48 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 3, with B sc 5, with A sc 58. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 49 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 59, with B sc 4, with A sc 3. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 50 (WS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 3, with B sc 3, with A sc 60. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Row 51 (RS): With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. With A sc 60, with B sc 3, with A sc 3. With A [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Fasten off B. Use A for the remainder of the pattern.
Row 52 (WS): [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3. Sc 66. [Hdc. Sl st.] x 3.
Rows 53 – 56: Repeat Row 52.
Row 57 (RS): *Hdc in the next st. Sl st in the next st.* Repeat from * to * across.
Rows 58 – 62: Repeat Row 57.
Fasten off and weave in loose ends. I recommend blocking your finished mat.
Pattern Chart
Chart Legend:
- White Square = sc with Main Color (A) on RS rows
- Light Grey Square = sc with Main Color (A) on WS rows
- Dark Grey Square = sc with Contrast Color (B)
- • = slip stitch (loosely)
- T = half double crochet
- V = carry Contrast Color (B)
And now you have a new mat for your pet!
More Paw Print Patterns
I’m Jo, the designer behind Jo to the World Creations, and I’m dedicated to helping you make the perfect crochet gift! I love designing and sharing free crochet patterns that you can make for every gift occasion.
About →Let’s Connect
Download. Print. Keep.
Get Instant Access to ALL Printable Patterns
Make your crocheting more enjoyable, relaxing and productive with printable PDF patterns.
- 180+ premium crochet patterns.
- Download, save and print from any device.
- No ads or popups!
Not sure yet? Take a look at the Pattern Library and see all the patterns you can download once you’re a member.
Save with Pattern Bundles
For a limited time, I’ve grouped some of my most popular crochet patterns and I’m offering them as pattern bundles where you can get the printable versions for one low, discounted price. Check out these incredible Crochet Pattern Bundles.
Easy Baby Blanket Bundle
With this Easy Baby Blanket Bundle, you’ll get SIX easy crochet baby blankets as printable downloads. Each pattern includes step-by-step instructions and a full video tutorial.
Love and Comfort Bundle
The Love and Comfort Bundle includes SIX meaningful patterns designed to comfort a loved one, brighten someone’s day or simply remind someone they’re loved.
Delightful baby blanket Bundle
All your favorite baby blanket patterns in one bundle! This collection features SIX blankets (all with video tutorials) that are a delight to crochet and will be cherished forever.
Free Crochet Printables
Subscribe to my emails and get 3 free printable crochet patterns as well as 10+ free printable crochet cheat sheets, guides and progress trackers.
Plus, you’ll receive free patterns for crochet gifts delivered right to your inbox!
Featured Crochet Patterns
Pattern Collections
Free Patterns for Crochet Gifts
Never miss a pattern! Get all my secrets to making incredible crochet gifts as well as new free crochet patterns and exclusive deals when you sign up for my newsletter (it’s free!).
