Create an elegant red and cream crochet floral table runner featuring large openwork flower motifs connected with delicate geometric lace sections. This beautiful design is perfect for a dining table, festive décor, weddings, Valentine’s Day, or as a handmade gift.
🧶 Materials
- Cream cotton yarn
- Burgundy or deep-red cotton yarn
- Crochet hook suitable for your yarn
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
✨ Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- rep – repeat
🌸 Pattern Overview
The runner is made from five matching floral motifs arranged lengthwise. Each motif has:
- A small flower center
- A circular openwork ring
- Eight elongated cream petals
- A decorative red outer border
- A lace section connecting it to the next flower
For a longer runner, simply add more floral motifs.
🌺 Step 1: Flower Center
Begin with the cream yarn and make a magic ring.
Round 1
Work sc stitches into the ring and close with a sl st.
Round 2
Increase evenly around the circle to create a small, flat center.
Round 3
Change to red yarn and work a round of dc and ch spaces to begin forming the decorative flower ring.
Keep the center flat rather than allowing it to curl.
🌼 Step 2: Create the Petals
Attach cream yarn around the center ring.
For each petal, work a combination of dc, tr and chain stitches to create a long, narrow openwork petal.
A basic repeat can be:
ch 2, dc, tr, tr, dc, ch 2
Continue increasing toward the rounded end of the petal, then decrease back toward the center.
Repeat until you have eight evenly spaced petals.
The open spaces between the stitches create the characteristic lace effect shown in the photo.
❤️ Step 3: Shape the Petal Edges
Work around each petal using cream yarn.
Use sc stitches along the straight sections and additional stitches around the rounded ends to keep the petals smooth.
Make sure every petal has approximately the same length and width.
🌹 Step 4: Red Outer Border
Change to red yarn and crochet around the outside of the entire floral motif.
Work a round of sc, followed by a decorative scalloped round.
For a simple scallop:
sl st in next st, 3–5 dc in next st, sl st in next st
Repeat around the motif.
This creates the pretty red ruffled edge visible in the photograph.
🔗 Step 5: Connecting Section
Between each flower, create a narrow geometric lace connector.
Use combinations of:
ch 2–5, dc, tr and sl st
Work the chains into small diamond-shaped openings.
The connector should be narrow enough to keep the floral motifs visually separated while still creating one continuous runner.
🌸 Step 6: Repeat the Floral Motif
Repeat the same flower design for the remaining sections of the runner.
For the design shown, make approximately five large floral motifs.
Keep the motifs aligned along the center of the table runner.
Connect each flower securely to the previous motif through the lace sections.
❤️ Step 7: Final Border
Once all motifs have been joined, work around the outside edges with red yarn.
Add one or two rounds of sc and finish with the same scalloped edging used around the flowers.
Pay particular attention to the outer curves and points so the runner stays flat.
🧵 Finishing
Cut the yarn and secure the final stitch. Weave all loose ends into the back of the work.
Gently block the runner on a flat surface, stretching the petals and lace openings into their intended shapes. Allow it to dry completely before placing it on your table.
💡 Helpful Tips
- Cotton yarn gives this runner a crisp, elegant finish.
- Keep your tension consistent for symmetrical petals.
- Use stitch markers to divide the flower into equal sections.
- Blocking is especially important for opening up the lacework.
- You can make the runner shorter by using three motifs or longer by adding additional flowers.
Color idea: The classic cream + deep red combination gives this runner a beautiful festive and romantic appearance, but it also looks lovely in cream and burgundy, white and green, or any two contrasting colors.
