Creating a beautiful crochet table runner composed of square flower motifs is a delightful project that adds a touch of handmade elegance to your home decor. This tutorial will guide you through making individual floral squares and then joining them together to form a charming runner.
Crochet Runner Table: Square Flower Motif Tutorial
Project Overview: This pattern will teach you how to crochet a distinctive "square flower" motif, featuring a textured center, layered petals, and a green "leaf" square base. You'll then learn how to join these motifs seamlessly to create a custom-length table runner.
Skill Level: Intermediate (Requires familiarity with basic stitches, working in the round, creating specific shapes, managing multiple colors, and joining motifs).
Finished Motif Size (Approximate):
- Using Worsted Weight yarn and H/5.0mm hook: Approximately 5x5 inches (12.5x12.5 cm) per square.
Finished Runner Size (Adjustable):
- For a runner using 6 motifs: Approx. 5 inches wide x 30 inches long (12.5 cm x 76 cm), excluding any border. This can be easily adjusted by making more or fewer motifs.
Materials You'll Need:
- Yarn:
- Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton Yarn: Cotton is highly recommended for table runners as it's durable, absorbent, and easy to wash.
- Color A (Flower Center): Approx. 10-15 yards per motif (e.g., Dark Brown, Black, Gold).
- Color B (Inner Petals): Approx. 15-20 yards per motif (e.g., Bright Yellow).
- Color C (Outer Petals): Approx. 20-25 yards per motif (e.g., Sunny Yellow, Orange).
- Color D (Green Base/Leaves): Approx. 25-30 yards per motif (e.g., Leaf Green).
- Color E (Joining/Border): Approx. 50-100 yards total (e.g., Cream, White, or one of your motif colors).
- Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton Yarn: Cotton is highly recommended for table runners as it's durable, absorbent, and easy to wash.
- Crochet Hook:
- Size H/5.0mm (or the hook size that gives you a dense, firm fabric. A tighter gauge helps the motifs hold their shape).
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): For weaving in ends and final assembly.
- Scissors
- Stitch Markers (Optional but Recommended): For marking beginning of rounds or corners.
Gauge (Crucial for Consistent Motif Size!):
With Color D and H/5.0mm hook, after completing the Green Base/Leaves section (up to Round 3 of Part 1.3):
- Motif should measure approximately 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) across.
Adjust your hook size as needed to achieve this gauge. Consistent motif size is vital for neat joining.
Abbreviations Used:
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet (triple crochet)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- inc: increase (work 2 stitches into the same stitch)
- sk: skip
- sp: space
- MR: magic ring (or magic circle)
- FO: fasten off
- Cluster (Cl): (Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops) 3 times in the same stitch/space, yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.
Understanding Construction:
This table runner is constructed by:
- Crocheting multiple individual "Square Flower" motifs. You will decide how many you need based on your desired runner length (e.g., for a 30-inch runner with 5-inch squares, you'd need 6 motifs).
- Joining these motifs together. We'll use a "Join-As-You-Go" (JAYG) method for a seamless look, or you can join them later with a whip stitch or sc seam. JAYG is often preferred for runners.
- Adding an optional border around the entire assembled runner for a finished look.
Part 1: The Square Flower Motif (Make as many as needed)
Each motif will be worked in sections, changing colors as we go. Weave in ends as you complete each color section to keep your work tidy.
1.1. Flower Center (Color A - Dark Brown/Black)
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With Color A and H/5.0mm hook, make a Magic Ring (MR).
- If you prefer not to use MR: Ch 2, then work stitches into the 2nd ch from hook.
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Round 1: Ch 1 (does NOT count as a st). Work 8 sc into the MR. Pull tail to close MR tightly. (8 sc).
- Sl st to the first sc to join.
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Round 2: Ch 1. Work 2 sc in each st around. (16 sc).
- Sl st to the first sc to join.
- FO Color A.
1.2. Inner Petals (Color B - Bright Yellow)
- Join Color B with a sl st into any stitch of Round 2 of the center.
- Round 3: Ch 2, work 2 dc into the same st. Ch 2, sl st into the same st. (This forms one petal).
- Sl st into the next st. (This moves you to the base of the next petal).
- Repeat from * to * around. You will create 16 petals.
- After the last petal, sl st to the initial join.
- FO Color B.
1.3. Outer Petals & Squaring (Color C - Deeper Yellow/Orange)
- Join Color C with a sl st into any sl st between petals from Round 3 (the sl st used to move to the next petal base). This will position your new petals behind the inner ones.
- Round 4: Ch 3, work 3 tr into the same sl st. Ch 3, sl st into the same sl st. (This forms one larger petal).
- Sl st into the next sl st between petals.
- Repeat from * to * around. You will create 16 larger petals.
- After the last petal, sl st to the initial join.
- FO Color C.
1.4. Green Base/Squaring the Flower (Color D - Leaf Green)
This section converts the circular flower into a square.
- Join Color D with a sl st into the back of any sl st between petals from Round 4 (the sl st between two outer petals). This will hide the green layer behind the yellow petals.
- Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the same sl st (this forms your first corner). Sk 3 outer petals, work 3 dc into the sl st between the next two petals. Sk 3 outer petals, work 3 dc into the sl st between the next two petals. Repeat from * to * around. You will create 4 corners and 8 sides.
- Sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3 to join. (Total: 4 corners (ch 2 sps) and 12 dc clusters of 3 dc).
- FO Color D.
1.5. Final Border (Color E - Joining/Border Color)
This round cleans up the edges of the square and is used for joining.
- Join Color E with a sl st into any ch-2 corner space from Round 5.
- Round 6: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the same ch-2 sp (this forms your new corner). Work 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc (first 3-dc cluster). Work 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc (second 3-dc cluster). Work 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc (third 3-dc cluster). Repeat from * to * around.
- Sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3 to join. (Total: 4 corners (ch 2 sps) and 36 dc).
- FO Color E, leaving a tail for weaving if joining later, or proceed to Join-As-You-Go.
Part 2: Joining the Motifs (Choose one method)
You need to make all your motifs (e.g., 6 for a 30-inch runner) before joining, except for the first one if using JAYG.
Method A: Join-As-You-Go (JAYG) - Recommended for a seamless look
- Make your first motif completely (up to the end of Part 1.5). FO and weave in ends.
- For your second motif, work all rounds up to and including Round 5 (Green Base/Squaring). Do not FO.
- Now, for Round 6 (Final Border) of your second motif, you will join it to the first completed motif.
- Join Color E into a corner ch-2 sp of the second motif. Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Work (2 dc, ch 1) into the same ch-2 sp.
- Pick up your first completed motif. Sl st into a corner ch-2 sp of the first motif. Ch 1.
- Work (3 dc, ch 1) into the same ch-2 sp of your second motif. (This completes the corner of your second motif and joins it to the first).
- Now, work 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc on the second motif. Sl st into the corresponding dc on the first motif (aligning the stitches).
- Work 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc on the second motif. Sl st into the corresponding dc on the first motif.
- Work 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc on the second motif. Sl st into the corresponding dc on the first motif.
- When you reach the next corner of the second motif: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Work (2 dc, ch 1) into the ch-2 sp. Sl st into the corresponding corner ch-2 sp of the first motif. Ch 1. Work (3 dc, ch 1) into the same ch-2 sp of your second motif.
- Continue working the remaining 3 sides of your second motif as normal (3 dc in each 3-dc cluster, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in corners) until you return to the beginning. Sl st to join.
- FO Color E. Weave in all ends.
- Repeat this JAYG process for each subsequent motif, joining them in a straight line (end to end) to form your runner.
Method B: Sewn Join (Whip Stitch or Sc Join)
- Make all your motifs completely (up to the end of Part 1.5). FO and weave in all ends on each motif.
- Lay out all your motifs in the desired straight line for your runner, making sure they are facing the same direction.
- Using Color E and your yarn needle, carefully whip stitch the corresponding stitches along the edges of two adjacent motifs. Work neatly to ensure a seamless seam.
- Alternatively, you can use your crochet hook to sc them together: With right sides facing, insert hook through both BLO of motif 1 and BLO of motif 2, sc across.
Part 3: Edging/Border for the Runner (Optional but Recommended)
A border will give your finished runner a polished and complete look. Use Color E or a contrasting color.
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Join Color E with a sl st to any corner ch-2 sp of your assembled runner.
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Round 1 (Sc Border): Ch 1. Work (1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc) into the corner ch-2 sp. Work 1 sc in each dc st along the side of the runner. When you reach a join between motifs, work 1 sc into the joining stitch/space. Continue around all 4 sides of the runner.
- Sl st to the first sc to join.
- FO Color E. Weave in all ends.
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Optional: Decorative Border (e.g., Picot or Shell Border):
- You can add another round of border for more decoration. For example:
- Picot Border: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in the first st. Ch 3, sl st into the 3rd ch from hook (picot made). Work 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * to * around. Work (1 sc, picot, 1 sc) in corners. Sl st to join. FO.
- Shell Border: Ch 1. Sk 2 sts, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the next st (shell made). Sk 2 sts, 1 sc in the next st. Repeat from * to * around. Sl st to join. FO.
Part 4: Finishing Touches
- Weave in Remaining Ends: Even if you wove in ends as you went, double-check for any loose tails and secure them neatly with your yarn needle.
- Blocking (Highly Recommended!): Blocking is essential for table runners, especially those made from motifs, as it helps even out tension, opens up stitch patterns, and ensures your runner lays flat and has crisp, defined edges.
- Wet Blocking: Gently submerge your entire finished runner in lukewarm water until it's thoroughly saturated. Gently squeeze out excess water (do NOT wring or twist).
- Shape: Lay the damp runner flat on a foam blocking mat or a thick towel-covered surface. Gently stretch and pin each motif into its perfect square shape, making sure the edges are straight and the joins are flat. Pin the overall runner to your desired dimensions.
- Dry: Allow the runner to air dry completely. This might take 24-48 hours depending on your yarn and humidity. Do not remove pins until fully dry.
Your beautiful crochet table runner with square flower motifs is now complete and ready to adorn your table!