Bring holiday cheer to your dining table with this festive poinsettia runner. Three bright red poinsettias with golden bead centers bloom on a textured cream background, surrounded by green leaves, holly, and clusters of red berries. A dark green wavy border frames the design beautifully, making it a showpiece for Christmas dinners and winter gatherings.
The runner is made in three parts. First you crochet the textured cream base with its green border, then you make the poinsettias, leaves, holly, and berries, and finally you sew everything on top.
Materials
Worsted weight cotton or acrylic yarn in cream, about 350 g
Worsted weight yarn in dark green, about 200 g
Worsted weight yarn in leaf green, about 80 g
Worsted weight yarn in red, about 150 g
Worsted weight yarn in light gold or cream for the flower centers, about 15 g
Crochet hook 4.0 mm
Small amount of fiberfill
Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, and pins
Finished Size
About 40 by 110 cm (16 by 43 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
BLO back loop only
bobble 4 double crochet worked into the same stitch and closed together
Part 1: Textured Cream Base
With cream, chain 76.
Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. You have 75 stitches.
Row 2: Chain 3 (counts as a double crochet). Skip the first stitch, then work single crochet and double crochet in the next stitch. Skip 1 stitch and work single crochet and double crochet in the next stitch again. Repeat across and end with single crochet in the last stitch. Turn.
Row 3: Chain 3. Work single crochet and double crochet in each single crochet from the row below. End with single crochet in the top of the turning chain. Turn.
Repeat Row 3 until the base measures about 100 cm long. This makes the thick, bumpy texture you see in the photo.
Last row: Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch across. Do not fasten off.
Part 2: Green Wavy Border
Round 1: With cream, work single crochet evenly around the whole base, with 3 single crochet in each corner. Join and fasten off.
Round 2: Join dark green. Chain 1 and work single crochet in each stitch around, with 3 single crochet in each corner. Join.
Round 3: Chain 3 and work double crochet in each stitch around, with 5 double crochet in each corner. Join.
Round 4: Now make the wave. Work single crochet in the next 2 stitches, half double crochet in the next 2 stitches, double crochet in the next 2 stitches, treble crochet in the next 3 stitches, double crochet in the next 2 stitches, half double crochet in the next 2 stitches, and single crochet in the next 2 stitches. Repeat around.
Round 5: Chain 1 and work single crochet in each stitch around to smooth the wave. Join and fasten off.
Part 3: Poinsettias (make 3)
Each poinsettia has two layers of 5 pointed petals, which gives it a full, layered look.
Petal (make 10 per flower)
With red, chain 13.
Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook, half double crochet in the next chain, double crochet in the next 3 chains, treble crochet in the next 3 chains, double crochet in the next 2 chains, half double crochet in the next chain, and single crochet in the last chain. Work 3 single crochet in the end of the chain to turn around the tip.
Continue along the other side of the chain with the same stitches in reverse order. Join.
Round 2: Slip stitch through the back loops all around the petal for a raised edge. Then slip stitch a line up the center of the petal for the vein.
Make the middle poinsettia slightly larger by starting each petal with chain 16 and adding 3 more treble crochet in the middle of Row 1.
Assembling Each Poinsettia
Lay 5 petals in a star shape with their bases touching in the center. Sew them together.
Lay the other 5 petals on top, placing each one between two petals of the first layer. Sew them in place.
Flower Center (make 3)
With gold or cream, make 7 small bobbles. For each bobble, chain 3, work a 4 double crochet bobble into the first chain, and slip stitch to close. Sew the bobbles in a cluster to the center of each poinsettia.
Part 4: Large Leaves
Make 8 in dark green and 8 in leaf green.
Chain 16.
Along the chain, work single crochet, half double crochet, 2 double crochet, 7 treble crochet, 2 double crochet, half double crochet, and single crochet. Work 3 single crochet in the end chain, then repeat the same stitches along the other side. Join.
Round 2: Slip stitch through the back loops all around for a textured edge. Slip stitch a center vein from the base to the tip.
For extra texture like the photo, embroider short diagonal lines from the center vein to the edges.
Part 5: Holly Leaves (make 10)
With dark green, chain 12.
Along the chain, work single crochet, half double crochet, then double crochet and chain 2 picot, double crochet, then double crochet and chain 2 picot, double crochet, then half double crochet and single crochet. Work 3 single crochet in the end chain and repeat along the other side. The picots create the pointed edges of the holly leaf.
Part 6: Berries (make 21)
With red, chain 2 and work 6 single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook.
Round 2: Work 2 single crochet in each stitch. You have 12 stitches.
Round 3: Single crochet in each stitch around.
Round 4: Single crochet 2 together around. Stuff lightly with fiberfill, close the opening, and fasten off.
Part 7: Stems
With dark green, chain 40 and slip stitch back along the chain to make a long stem. Make 3 long stems for the center line of the runner and 7 short stems of 15 chains for the berry clusters.
Assembly
Lay the finished base flat on a table.
Place the 3 poinsettias down the center, spaced evenly, with the largest one in the middle.
Lay the long stems between the flowers so they look like they grow from one to the next.
Arrange the large leaves around each poinsettia, alternating dark green and leaf green.
Place the holly leaves near the edges and in the spaces between the flowers.
Attach groups of 3 berries to the ends of the short stems and place them near the holly.
Pin everything in place and check the layout. Sew each piece to the base with matching yarn, sewing through the base only so the stitches stay hidden.
Blocking
Lightly dampen the runner and pin the base flat on blocking mats, making sure the wavy border is even. Do not press the flowers and berries, so they keep their raised shape. Let it dry completely.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Press the water out gently, never wring, and dry flat. Reshape the flowers and leaves while damp.
Color Ideas
White poinsettias on a red base for a bold modern look
Burgundy flowers on a gray base for an elegant table
Gold flowers on a cream base with navy leaves for a New Year’s dinner
Tips for Success
Make all the small pieces first so you can plan the layout before sewing.
Use a smaller hook for the berries so they stay firm and round.
Sew the leaves before the flowers so the flowers sit neatly on top.
Final Thoughts
This poinsettia runner is a true holiday centerpiece and a project you can bring out every Christmas. It also makes a special handmade gift for family and friends. Share your finished runner in the comments below. We would love to see your festive table!