Materials
DK or light worsted cotton yarn in purple.
Approximately 450–650 g for a six-motif runner.
3.0–3.5 mm crochet hook.
Yarn needle.
Scissors.
Stitch markers.
Blocking pins and blocking mat.
Optional fabric stiffener for a firmer lace finish.
Abbreviations
MR = magic ring
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
tr = treble crochet
dtr = double treble crochet
sp = space
st = stitch
sts = stitches
rep = repeat
FO = fasten off
Construction Method
The runner is made from individual lace motifs.
Each motif contains:
A small central diamond mesh.
Four elongated side sections.
Eight large oval loops.
Decorative pointed tips.
A firm crochet outline.
Make the motifs separately, block them lightly, and then join them point-to-point.
The photograph shows approximately six main motifs placed in a straight line.
Central Ring
Make an MR.
Round 1: Ch 1, work 8 sc into MR.
Join with sl st.
Round 2: Ch 5, skip 1 st, sc in next st.
Repeat around.
You should have 4 chain loops.
Central Diamond Mesh
Sl st into first ch-5 space.
Round 3:
Ch 5.
Sc into next ch-5 space.
Ch 5.
Repeat around.
Join.
Round 4:
Sl st into first chain space.
Ch 3.
Dc, ch 3, 2 dc into same space.
Ch 3.
Work 2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc into next space.
Repeat around.
This begins the four corners of the diamond.
Expanding the Diamond
Round 5:
Sl st to first corner space.
Work:
2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc into corner.
Ch 4.
Sc into next ch-3 space.
Ch 4.
Repeat around.
Round 6:
In each corner ch-3 space work:
2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc.
Between corners work:
ch 4, sc in next chain space, ch 4.
Continue around.
The center should now resemble an open diamond-shaped net.
Inner Decorative Arches
At each side of the diamond:
Ch 8.
Skip the small center section.
Sc into the opposite structural point.
Ch 8.
Return to the next corner.
Repeat on all four sides.
These long chains become the foundations for the decorative petal sections.
First Large Oval Loop
Join yarn near one corner of the diamond.
Ch 18.
Attach with sl st to the neighboring anchor point.
Turn.
Work around the chain loop:
3 sc,
4 hdc,
8 dc,
4 hdc,
3 sc.
Sl st into the base.
This creates a thick oval loop.
Do not pull the stitches too tightly. The loop should remain open in the center.
Second Loop Beside It
From the same general corner area:
Ch 18.
Attach to the next anchor point.
Work around the chain exactly as before:
3 sc,
4 hdc,
8 dc,
4 hdc,
3 sc.
Sl st into the base.
The two loops should sit beside one another like a pair of elongated petals.
Remaining Oval Loops
Repeat this construction around the motif.
You need approximately eight large loops total:
Two at the top.
Two at the right.
Two at the bottom.
Two at the left.
Try to keep all loops the same size.
Strengthening the Oval Loops
For a more sculpted appearance like the photograph, crochet another round around each loop.
Join yarn at the base.
Work 1 sc into every stitch around the outer edge.
At the widest part of the loop, work:
sc, ch 2, sc
into one stitch.
Continue around.
FO.
Repeat for every loop.
This gives the oval petals a raised corded appearance.
Side Connection Arches
Between neighboring oval loops work:
Ch 5.
Sc into the side of the first loop.
Ch 5.
Sc into the neighboring loop.
Ch 5.
Return to the central diamond.
These small bridges create the lace framework around the central section.
Pointed End
At the top of the motif, join yarn between the two upper oval loops.
Ch 6.
Turn.
Sc in second ch from hook.
Hdc.
Dc.
Tr.
Dtr.
Sl st into the opposite side of the motif.
This makes a triangular point.
For a fuller point, work another row:
Ch 1, turn.
Sc across the side.
At the tip work:
sc, ch 3, sl st into first ch, sc.
Continue down the other side.
FO.
Repeat at the bottom of the motif.
Side Points
The photograph also shows small decorative points along both sides.
Join yarn between the side loops.
Ch 4.
Work:
sc in second ch,
hdc,
dc.
Attach with sl st.
For a slightly larger point use:
ch 5,
sc,
hdc,
dc,
tr.
Repeat on the opposite side.
Outer Border
Once all loops and points are complete, work around the entire motif.
Join yarn at any convenient location.
Work sc evenly around all edges.
Around the oval loops, place one sc in each stitch.
At outer tips work:
sc, ch 2, sc
into the same stitch.
Around chain spaces work enough sc to cover the chain without causing puckering.
Join with sl st.
Decorative Raised Border
For the thick outlined appearance shown in the image, add one more round.
Ch 1.
Work sc around.
At every pointed corner work:
sc, ch 2, sc.
Around the narrow spaces between loops, use sl sts if necessary to prevent the border from becoming bulky.
FO.
Making the Remaining Motifs
Make approximately 6 identical motifs for a medium-length table runner.
For a short runner make 4.
For a long dining table make 7–9.
Block every motif before joining so they all have approximately equal dimensions.
Joining the Motifs
Place two motifs vertically.
Position the lower point of the first motif against the upper point of the second.
Using matching yarn, sew through the corresponding border stitches approximately 2–3 cm along the joining area.
You can also crochet them together.
Insert hook through both motifs.
Sl st through matching stitches.
Continue for approximately 5–7 stitches.
FO securely.
Repeat until all motifs form one straight runner.
Optional Join-as-You-Go Method
Instead of sewing finished motifs, join while completing the final border.
When reaching the lower point:
Ch 1.
Insert hook into the corresponding point of the previous motif.
Sl st.
Ch 1.
Continue the border.
Make another connection approximately 2–3 stitches to either side of the central point.
Three small joining points usually provide enough stability while preserving the lace effect.
Runner Formation
After all motifs are connected, place the runner flat.
Check that every diamond center follows the same direction.
Straighten the large oval loops.
Adjust the joins so the motifs form one continuous vertical line.
The runner should remain relatively narrow in the center while the oval petals extend outward on both sides.
Blocking
Blocking is especially important for this design.
Wet the finished runner gently.
Press out excess water using a towel.
Do not twist.
Lay the runner flat on a blocking mat.
Pin each motif symmetrically.
Open every oval loop.
Stretch the diamond mesh gently.
Pin the pointed ends.
Measure the width at several places so the runner remains straight.
Allow it to dry completely before removing the pins.
For cotton yarn, a small amount of spray starch can help maintain the ornamental lace shape.
Color Variations
The purple version gives the runner a dramatic decorative appearance.
You can also make it in:
Cream for a vintage lace effect.
White for weddings or formal tables.
Sage green for botanical décor.
Burgundy for autumn.
Gold or mustard for a warmer look.
Dusty pink for romantic décor.
For a modern version, alternate two colors between motifs.
Adjustment Tips
To make the runner wider, increase the length of the large oval-loop foundation chains from 18 to approximately 20–22 chains.
To make it narrower, use 15–16 chains.
If your loops twist, block them before joining the motifs.
If the center becomes too loose, reduce the central chain spaces by one chain.
If the piece curls at the outer border, use fewer stitches around the loops.
If the edges pull inward, add occasional increases while working the final sc round.