Christmas Tree Hotpad

My friend, Amy, said she had a friend who wanted me to make her some hotpads that look like something her mother-in-law used to make her. Unable to find a pattern, I am winging it. So these are my notes for a Christmas Tree Hotpad.

Size H Crochet Hook
Mercerized Cotton (any color)

Abbreviations:
Ch = Chain
SC = Single Crochet
DC= Double Crochet
Rnd = Round

Make 2: A front and a back. Since this is to be used as a hot pad, it will need to be double thick.

Using magic loop method, put 10 sc in the center. Pull tight. (this is rnd 1)
Rnd 2: Connect. Place 3 chains (this will act as the 1st dc) in 1st stitch, then 1 dc. Then 2 dc in each stitch, connect. (20)
Rnd 3: Place 3 chains in 1st stitch, then 2 dc in next, 1 dc in next, repeat the pattern of 1 dc and 2 dc around. Connect.  (30)
Rnd 4: Place 3 chains in 1st stitch, then 1 dc, 2 dc, Repeat following pattern 1 dc in next 2 stitchs, 2 dc in next.(40)
Rnd 5: Place 3 chains in 1st stitch, then 1 dc in next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next. Repeat following pattern 1 dc in next 3 stitches, then 2 dc (50)
Rnd 6: Ch 3 in 1st stitch, 1 dc in next 3, 2 dc in 4th, then 1 dc in next 4 and 2 dc in 5th, repeating this until end of rnd. (60)
Rnd 7: Ch 3 in 1st stitch, 1 dc in next 4, 2 dc in 5th, then 1 dc in next 5 and 2 dc in 6th repeat this until end of rnd. (70)
Rnd 8: Ch 3 in 1st stitch, 1 dc in next 5, 2 dc in 6th, then 1 dc in next 6 and 2 dc in 7th repeat this until end of rnd. (80)

Make 1 Christmas Tree (Fir Tree)

Using H hook
Mercerized cotton

Ch 4
Row 1 Put 2 dc in 4th chain from hook
Row 2 Turn, Ch 3, Put dc in st nearest ch, put 2 dc in each remaining stitches
Row 3 Turn, Ch 3, put dc in st nearest ch, put 1 dc in each stitch until last stitch, put 2 dc in last stitch.
Row 4 Turn, Ch 3, put dc in st nearest ch, put 1 dc in each stitch until last stitch, put 2 dc in last stitch.
Row 5 Turn, Ch 3, put dc in st nearest ch, put 1 dc in each stitch until last stitch, put 2 dc in last stitch.
Row 6 Turn, Ch 3, put dc in st nearest ch, put 1 dc in each stitch until last stitch, put 2 dc in last stitch.

For Trunk:
Go to 3 center stitches of bottom row, Put 3 dc in center. Turn and continue to put 3 dc for 4 rows.

After the tree is made, attach it to the center of one square.
After the tree is on the one circle, put the two together and begin sc around the edges. As you go around you want to increase evenly so you have 10 extra sc.  Then hdc in each sc around. You also want to increase evenly around for 10 extra hdc. These extra stitches allow the piece to lay flat.

A copy of the item I am trying to recreate:


What mine looks like finished: