Make your holiday table shine with this beautiful red and cream runner. Large solid circles in rich red and soft cream form the base, while layered flowers, small blossoms, and dark green leaves bloom all around them. It looks stunning under a simple centerpiece and adds warm handmade charm to Christmas dinners, winter parties, and Valentine’s Day tables.
The runner is made from separate pieces that you join at the end. You will make large circles, big three layer flowers, small two tone flowers, and leaves with little stems.
Materials
Worsted weight cotton yarn in red, about 400 g
Worsted weight cotton yarn in cream, about 350 g
Worsted weight cotton yarn in dark green, about 120 g
Crochet hook 4.0 mm
Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, and pins
Finished Size
About 45 by 150 cm (18 by 59 inches)
You can make it longer or shorter by adding or removing circles.
Stitches Used (US Terms)
ch chain
sl st slip stitch
sc single crochet
hdc half double crochet
dc double crochet
tr treble crochet
BLO back loop only
bobble 4 double crochet worked into the same stitch and closed together
Part 1: Large Circles (make 2 red and 3 cream)
Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as a double crochet) and work 11 double crochet in the ring. Join. You have 12 stitches.
Round 2: Chain 3, double crochet in the same stitch, then work 2 double crochet in each stitch around. Join. You have 24 stitches.
Round 3: Chain 3, work 2 double crochet in the next stitch, then work 1 double crochet in the next stitch and 2 double crochet in the following stitch. Repeat around. Join. You have 36 stitches.
Round 4: Chain 1 and work single crochet in each stitch, adding 12 stitches evenly around. Join. You have 48 stitches.
Round 5 and onward: Keep alternating one round of double crochet and one round of single crochet. In each round, add 12 stitches evenly by working one more stitch between the increases than in the round before.
Continue until each circle measures about 30 cm across.
Texture tip: For the cream circles, work every third round in the back loops only. This creates the fine ridged rings you see in the photo. For the red circles, work all rounds in both loops for a smooth, solid look.
Edging: Finish each cream circle with one round of red single crochet. This thin red outline makes the cream circles stand out against the table.
Part 2: Large Three Layer Flowers (make 4)
Center (cream)
Chain 4 and join.
Round 1: Chain 1 and work 8 single crochet in the ring. Join.
Round 2: Work a bobble in each stitch, with chain 1 between bobbles. Join. You have 8 bobbles.
Round 3: Chain 3, skip the next bobble, and single crochet in the chain 1 space after it. Repeat around to make 6 loops. Join.
Round 4: In each loop, work single crochet, half double crochet, 3 double crochet, half double crochet, and single crochet. This makes a ring of small cream petals.
Middle Layer (red)
Round 5: Join red behind the petals. Single crochet around the post of each single crochet from Round 3, with chain 5 between. Join.
Round 6: In each chain 5 loop, work single crochet, half double crochet, 6 double crochet, half double crochet, and single crochet. You now have 6 red petals.
Outer Layer (cream)
Round 7: Join cream behind the red petals. Single crochet around the post of each single crochet from Round 5, with chain 7 between. Join.
Round 8: In each chain 7 loop, work single crochet, half double crochet, 3 double crochet, 3 treble crochet, 3 double crochet, half double crochet, and single crochet.
Round 9: For a scalloped edge like the photo, work single crochet around each outer petal, with 2 single crochet in every third stitch. Fasten off.
Part 3: Small Two Tone Flowers (make 14)
Make 7 with red petals and a cream center, and 7 with cream petals and a red center.
Center
With the center color, chain 4 and join.
Round 1: Chain 1 and work 10 single crochet in the ring. Join.
Inner Petals
Round 2: Chain 3, skip 1 stitch, and single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat around to make 5 loops.
Round 3: In each loop, work single crochet, half double crochet, 3 double crochet, half double crochet, and single crochet.
Outer Petals
Round 4: Change to the petal color. Work behind the first petals, with single crochet around each post from Round 2 and chain 5 between.
Round 5: In each loop, work single crochet, half double crochet, 5 double crochet, half double crochet, and single crochet. Fasten off.
For a few flowers, add a small bobble cluster in the center like the large flowers, so the runner has more variety.
Part 4: Leaves (make 16)
With dark green, chain 14.
Along the chain, work single crochet, half double crochet, 2 double crochet, 5 treble crochet, 2 double crochet, half double crochet, and single crochet. Work 3 single crochet in the last chain to turn around the tip, then repeat the same stitches along the other side. Join.
Round 2: Slip stitch through the back loops all around the leaf to create a neat raised edge.
Vein: Slip stitch a line from the base of the leaf to the tip.
Stem: At the base of each leaf, chain 8 and slip stitch back along the chain.
Part 5: Assembly
Lay the large circles down the center of your table in a gentle zigzag, alternating red and cream. Let the edges of the circles touch or overlap slightly.
Sew the circles together where they meet, using matching yarn on the back.
Place the 4 large flowers at the outer edges where two circles meet, one on each side.
Arrange the small flowers in groups of 2 or 3 along both sides of the runner and at each end, alternating red and cream.
Tuck the leaves in pairs behind the flowers, with the stems pointing toward the circles.
Pin every piece in place and check the layout from above.
Sew each flower and leaf to the pieces it touches from the back, so the stitches stay hidden.
Weave in all ends.
Blocking
Lightly spray the runner with water and pin it flat on blocking mats. Open the petals of each flower and smooth the circles so they lie flat. Let it dry completely before removing the pins.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Press out the water gently, never wring, and dry flat. Reshape the flowers while damp.
Color Ideas
Pink and white with sage leaves for spring
Burgundy and gold with dark green leaves for a New Year’s table
Navy and cream with gray leaves for a calm modern home
Orange and beige with brown leaves for autumn
Tips for Success
Make all the circles first and lay them out before making the flowers, so you know how many flowers you need.
Keep your tension even in the circles so they stay flat. If they ruffle, go down one hook size. If they cup, go up one hook size.
Use cotton yarn so the runner holds its shape and washes well.
Final Thoughts
This red and cream runner is a joyful project that brings the holidays to life on your table. It uses simple stitches, so it is great for confident beginners, and it makes a wonderful handmade gift. Share your finished runner in the comments below. We would love to see your holiday table!