This festive runner is made from four cream stars with red borders, each topped with a red poinsettia. Holly and berry sections join the stars together, and the ends are decorated with little crocheted trees, a heart, and golden jingle bells. It is a cheerful centerpiece for any Christmas table.
Materials
Worsted weight cotton yarn in cream, about 250 g
Worsted weight cotton yarn in red, about 200 g
Worsted weight cotton yarn in green, about 100 g
Crochet hook 4.0 mm
Gold beads for the flower centers, about 30
Wooden beads, about 12
Jingle bells, 6
Small amount of fiberfill
Tapestry needle and scissors
Finished Size
About 40 by 150 cm (16 by 59 inches), including the hanging decorations
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
Star Motif (make 4)
With cream, chain 4 and join.
Round 1: Chain 3 and work 14 double crochet in the ring. Join. You have 15 stitches.
Round 2: Chain 3 and work 2 double crochet in each stitch around. Join. You have 30 stitches.
Round 3: Chain 3 and work double crochet in each stitch, adding 5 stitches evenly around. Join. You have 35 stitches.
Star Points
Now work each point separately over 7 stitches.
Row 1: Chain 3 and work double crochet in the next 6 stitches. Turn.
Row 2: Chain 3, skip the first stitch, and double crochet across to the last 2 stitches. Work the last 2 stitches together. Turn.
Continue decreasing until 1 stitch remains. Fasten off.
Rejoin at the next 7 stitches and repeat to make 5 points.
Border
With red, work single crochet all around the star, with 3 single crochet at each point and single crochet 2 together at each inner corner. Work a second round of red single crochet the same way.
Poinsettia (make 4)
Petals (8 per flower): With red, chain 11. Work single crochet, half double crochet, 2 double crochet, 3 treble crochet, 2 double crochet, and half double crochet along the chain. Work 3 single crochet in the last chain and repeat along the other side. Slip stitch a center vein.
Leaves (4 per flower): With green, work the same way, starting with chain 9.
Sew the petals in two layers of 4, add the leaves underneath, and sew 7 gold beads in the center.
Holly and Berry Joins (make 4)
With red, make a small triangle of open mesh: chain 12, then work rows of double crochet and chain 1, decreasing 1 space at each end of every row until it comes to a point.
Holly leaves (4 per join): With green, chain 8, then work single crochet, double crochet with a picot, double crochet, double crochet with a picot, and single crochet along both sides.
Berries: Use red beads, or make small balls of 6 single crochet stuffed lightly.
Sew 2 holly leaves and a cluster of berries onto each join.
Little Trees (make 4)
With green, chain 12. Work rows of single crochet, decreasing 1 stitch at each end of every row until 1 stitch remains. Make 2 triangles and sew them together, stuffing lightly.
Heart (make 2)
With red, work two small circles of 12 single crochet. Join them and work single crochet around, decreasing to a point at the bottom. Stuff lightly and close.
Hanging Decorations
Make cords by chaining 20 in cream and slip stitching back. Thread wooden beads onto each cord and tie a tree, heart, or jingle bell to the end.
Assembly
Lay the 4 stars in a line, with points touching.
Place a holly and berry join in the gap between each pair of stars and sew in place.
Sew a poinsettia to the center of each star.
Attach the hanging decorations to both ends of the runner.
Final Thoughts
This joyful runner brings the spirit of Christmas to your table and makes a wonderful family heirloom.