This romantic table runner features large layered flowers with bright red outer petals, soft pink inner petals, and a cluster of yellow bobble stamens in the center. The flowers sit on a white lace mesh background with green leaves and tiny buds, framed by a white shell border and a red scalloped edge. It is perfect for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, spring tables, and Christmas.
The runner is made in three parts. First you crochet the white lace base with its shell border, then you add the red edging. Finally you make the layered flowers, leaves, and buds and sew them on top for a raised, dimensional look.
Materials
- Sport weight cotton yarn in white, about 200 g
- Sport weight cotton yarn in red, about 120 g
- Sport weight cotton yarn in medium pink, about 50 g
- Sport weight cotton yarn in light pink, about 30 g
- Sport weight cotton yarn in green, about 60 g
- Sport weight cotton yarn in yellow, about 15 g
- Crochet hook 3.0 mm
- Tapestry needle, scissors, and stitch markers
Finished Size
About 38 by 100 cm (15 by 40 inches), with 4 large flowers
Stitches Used (US Terms)
- ch chain
- sl st slip stitch
- sc single crochet
- hdc half double crochet
- dc double crochet
- tr treble crochet
- FLO front loop only
- BLO back loop only
- shell 5 double crochet worked into the same stitch or space
- bobble 4 double crochet worked into the same stitch and closed together
Part 1: The White Lace Base
With white, chain 72.
Row 1: Double crochet in the 4th chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. You have 70 stitches.
Row 2: Chain 3 and double crochet in the next 9 stitches for the solid side band. Then chain 3, skip 2 stitches, and single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat the chain 3 loops across to the last 10 stitches. Double crochet in the last 10 stitches. Turn.
Row 3: Chain 3 and double crochet in the next 9 stitches. In each chain 3 loop, work chain 3 and single crochet. Double crochet in the last 10 stitches. Turn.
Rows 4 to 150: Repeat Row 3. The solid side bands frame a wide center of open mesh where the flowers will sit.
Row 151: Chain 3 and double crochet in each stitch and 2 double crochet in each loop across. Do not fasten off.
Part 2: The White Shell Border
Round 1: Chain 1 and work single crochet evenly around the whole runner, with 3 single crochet in each corner. Join.
Round 2: Chain 3, skip 2 stitches, and work a shell in the next stitch. Chain 1, skip 2 stitches, and single crochet in the next stitch. Chain 1, skip 2 stitches, and work a shell in the next stitch. Repeat around. Join.
Round 3: Slip stitch to the center of the first shell. Chain 3 and work a shell in the center of each shell, with chain 2 and single crochet in each single crochet between. Join.
Round 4: Work 7 double crochet in the center of each shell, with single crochet between. This makes the fluffy white fans shown in the photo. Join and fasten off.
Part 3: The Red Scalloped Edging
Join red in any single crochet between fans.
Round 1: Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch around. Join.
Round 2: Chain 1, single crochet in the first stitch, skip 2 stitches, and work 7 double crochet in the next stitch. Skip 2 stitches and single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat around so each red scallop sits over a white fan. Join.
Round 3: Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch around. Join and fasten off.
Part 4: The Outer Red Petals (make 4)
With red, chain 4 and join into a ring.
Round 1: Chain 1 and work 10 single crochet in the ring. Join.
Round 2: Chain 1 and work 2 single crochet in each stitch. Join. You have 20 stitches.
Round 3: Chain 1, single crochet in the first stitch, chain 4, skip 3 stitches, and single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat around to make 5 loops. Join.
Round 4: In each chain 4 loop, work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 5 tr, 3 dc, 1 hdc, and 1 sc. Join.
Round 5: Working in the back loop only, single crochet around each petal, with 2 sc in the top 3 stitches. This makes the ridged rib lines you see on the petals. Join and fasten off.
Part 5: The Inner Pink Petals (make 20)
Each inner petal is made separately so it can curl up and cup around the center.
With medium pink, chain 8.
Row 1: Half double crochet in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. You have 6 stitches.
Rows 2 to 6: Chain 2 and work half double crochet in the back loop only, with 2 hdc in the first and last stitch. Turn. The back loop rows make the ribbed lines.
Row 7: Change to light pink. Chain 1 and single crochet around the top and both sides of the petal. Fasten off and leave a long tail.
Make 5 petals for each flower.
Part 6: The Flower Center and Stamens (make 4)
Center cup: With red, magic ring and 6 single crochet. Work 4 more rounds of 6 single crochet to make a small tube. Fasten off.
Stamens: With yellow, chain 3 and work a bobble in the 3rd chain from the hook. Make 7 to 9 bobbles for each flower. Sew them in a tight cluster at the top of the tube.
With red, embroider a few long straight stitches from the center up between the stamens for the filaments.
Part 7: The Leaves (make 16)
With green, chain 14.
Round 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook, hdc in the next chain, dc in the next 3 chains, tr in the next 3 chains, dc in the next 3 chains, hdc in the next chain, and 3 sc in the last chain. Work back down the other side in the same order. Join.
Round 2: Work front post slip stitches up the center for the raised vein. Fasten off.
Part 8: The Buds (make 8)
With green, magic ring and 6 single crochet. Work 2 rounds of 6 single crochet. Stuff lightly and close. Add a small red tip with a few straight stitches.
Assembly
Build each flower in layers. Sew the 5 pink petals in a ring onto the red outer flower, placing each pink petal between two red petals. Let the pink petals curl upward.
Sew the red center tube with its stamens into the middle of each flower.
Place the runner flat and pin the 4 flowers in a straight line down the center, evenly spaced.
Tuck 4 leaves around each flower, angled outward, and pin a bud between each pair of flowers on both sides. Join each bud to its leaves with a short green chain stem.
Sew the leaves and buds first, then the flowers on top, using matching yarn and small whip stitches around the base. Leave the petal edges loose so they stay raised.
Weave in all ends on the back.
Blocking
Lightly dampen the runner and pin it flat with straight sides and sharp corners. Open each white fan and red scallop with pins. Do not press the flowers so they stay cupped and raised.
Ways to Use Your Camellia Runner
- Use it as a centerpiece for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day tables.
- Make single flower squares as matching placemats or doilies.
- Drape it across a dresser, piano, or buffet.
- Use it as a decoration for weddings, anniversaries, and bridal showers.
- Use it on a Christmas table, since the red, white, and green colors fit the holiday.
Color Ideas
- White and blush petals on cream with a gold edge for a bridal look
- Purple and lilac petals on white with a purple edge for a soft garden style
- Yellow and orange petals on cream with an orange edge for a sunny summer table
- Burgundy and rose petals on ivory with a green edge for an autumn table
Tips for Success
- Work the back loop rows firmly so the petal ridges stand out clearly.
- Make all the petals first, then build each flower so they match in size.
- Count your stitches in the mesh rows so the side bands stay straight.
- Pin every flower, leaf, and bud before sewing to check the layout.
Final Thoughts
This layered camellia lace runner is a stunning heirloom project that makes any table feel special. Pair it with matching placemats for a complete set. Share your finished runners in the comments below. We would love to see your flower makes!