This modern runner uses solid spiral circles in mustard yellow and charcoal gray, surrounded by leafy branches and little round balls. The bold color pairing gives it a fresh, contemporary style that looks wonderful on glass or wooden tables.
Materials
Worsted weight cotton yarn in mustard yellow, about 350 g
Worsted weight cotton yarn in charcoal gray, about 350 g
Crochet hook 4.0 mm
Small amount of fiberfill
Tapestry needle and scissors
Finished Size
About 45 by 140 cm (18 by 55 inches)
Stitches Used (US Terms)
ch chain
sl st slip stitch
sc single crochet
hdc half double crochet
dc double crochet
tr treble crochet
sc2tog single crochet two together
Large Spiral Circle (make 2 gray and 2 yellow)
Chain 4 and join.
Round 1: Chain 1, work 8 single crochet in the ring. Do not join. Work in a continuous spiral and place a marker in the first stitch of each round.
Round 2: Work 2 single crochet in each stitch. You have 16 stitches.
Round 3: Work 2 single crochet in the next stitch and 1 single crochet in the following stitch. Repeat around. You have 24 stitches.
Round 4 and onward: In each round, add 8 stitches evenly by working one more single crochet between the increases than in the round before.
Continue until the circle measures about 28 cm across. Slip stitch into the next stitch and fasten off.
For texture like the photo, work every 4th round in the back loops only. This creates the fine rings you see across the circle.
Small Circle (make 2 yellow and 2 gray)
Work the same way as the large circle, stopping at about 14 cm across. Make the center round in double crochet for a little hole in the middle.
Leaves (make 10 yellow and 10 gray)
Chain 15.
Along the chain, work single crochet, half double crochet, 2 double crochet, 6 treble crochet, 2 double crochet, half double crochet, and single crochet. Work 3 single crochet in the last chain and repeat along the other side.
Round 2: Slip stitch in the back loops around the edge, then work a slip stitch vein up the center.
For a herringbone texture, work a second leaf round in the back loops only.
Branches
With gray, chain 40 for each main branch and slip stitch back along the chain. Make 3 main branches and several shorter side stems of 15 chains.
Balls (make 10 yellow and 10 gray)
Chain 2, then work 6 single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook.
Round 2: Work 2 single crochet in each stitch. You have 12 stitches.
Rounds 3 and 4: Single crochet in each stitch around.
Round 5: Single crochet 2 together around. Stuff lightly, close the opening, and fasten off.
Assembly
Lay the large circles down the center in a zigzag, alternating gray and yellow.
Place the small circles near the ends.
Arrange the branches along the edges and sew the leaves to them, alternating colors.
Add groups of 2 or 3 balls between the circles and at the base of the branches.
Sew each piece to the ones it touches from the back.
Final Thoughts
This runner is a great project for anyone who loves simple single crochet, since most of the work is easy spiral circles. Swap in teal and coral or olive and cream to match your space.