Materials
Cream cotton yarn. About 400 to 500 g in DK weight.
Deep red cotton yarn. About 250 to 320 g in DK weight.
Crochet hook. 3.0 mm to 3.5 mm.
Tapestry needle.
Scissors.
Stitch markers.
Blocking mats and pins.
Finished Size
Approximate length. 100 to 120 cm.
Approximate width. 28 to 34 cm.
Large red circle. About 16 to 18 cm across.
Layered heart. About 13 to 16 cm wide.
Abbreviations
MR = magic ring
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
tr = treble crochet
inc = increase
sp = space
rep = repeat
Construction
Make four cream swirl lace sections and four red circle sections. Join them in an alternating S shaped line. Make three cream scalloped heart bases and three red top hearts. Sew the layered hearts over the joins.
Red Circle Motif
Make 4.
Round 1. With red yarn make MR. Ch 2. Work 12 dc in ring. Join. 12 stitches.
Round 2. Ch 2. Work 2 dc in every stitch. Join. 24 stitches.
Round 3. Ch 2. Work 1 dc then 2 dc in next stitch. Rep around. Join. 36 stitches.
Round 4. Work 2 dc then 2 dc in next stitch around. Join. 48 stitches.
Round 5. Work 3 dc then 2 dc in next stitch around. Join. 60 stitches.
Round 6. Work 4 dc then 2 dc in next stitch around. Join. 72 stitches.
Round 7. Work 1 hdc in every stitch.
Round 8. Work 1 sc in every stitch. Fasten off.
Cream Swirl Lace Motif
Make 4.
Round 1. With cream yarn make MR. Ch 2. Work 12 dc in ring. Join.
Round 2. Work 2 dc in every stitch. Join. 24 stitches.
Round 3. Work 1 dc then 2 dc in next stitch around. Join. 36 stitches.
Round 4. Work 2 dc then 2 dc in next stitch around. Join. 48 stitches.
Round 5. Ch 4. Skip 1 stitch. Sc in next stitch. Rep around.
Round 6. In each ch 4 space work 1 sc 4 dc 1 sc.
Round 7. Ch 6 from the middle of one shell to the middle of the next. Secure with sc. Rep around.
Round 8. In each ch 6 space work 1 sc 6 dc 1 sc.
To form the swirl work back and forth over half of the motif for 4 rows. Decrease one shell at both ends of every row. This creates the open cream crescent seen between the red circles.
Work 1 sc around the complete motif. Fasten off.
Cream Bobble Edge
Join cream yarn along the outer curve.
Work 1 sc in the next 3 stitches.
Work 5 dc together in the next stitch to make a bobble.
Work 1 sc in the next 3 stitches.
Repeat around the visible outer edge.
Red Heart
Make 3.
Round 1. With red yarn make MR. Ch 2. Work 11 dc in ring. Join.
Round 2. Ch 3. Work 3 tr in next stitch. Work 3 dc in next stitch. Work 1 dc in next 2 stitches. Work 1 tr 1 dc 1 tr in next stitch to form the lower point. Work 1 dc in next 2 stitches. Work 3 dc in next stitch. Work 3 tr in next stitch. Ch 3 and sl st into the center ring.
Round 3. Work sc evenly around the heart. At the top curves place 2 sc in a few stitches so the lobes stay round. At the bottom point work 3 sc in one stitch.
Round 4. Work 1 hdc around. Place 3 hdc in the bottom point. Fasten off.
Cream Scalloped Heart Base
Make 3.
Use the red heart pattern but make the base in cream.
After Round 4 add one decorative round.
Decorative round. Work 1 sc. Skip 1 stitch. Work 5 dc in next stitch. Skip 1 stitch. Work 1 sc in next stitch. Rep around.
At the bottom point use a smaller 3 dc shell so the point remains sharp.
Fasten off and block flat.
Layering The Hearts
Center one red heart on one cream scalloped heart base.
Sew only around the inner edge of the red heart so the cream scallops remain visible.
Repeat for all three hearts.
Joining The Runner
Arrange the motifs before sewing.
Alternate one cream swirl section and one red circle down the table runner.
Overlap each join by about 3 to 4 cm.
Sew from the back with matching yarn.
Place one layered heart over every second join.
Sew the heart securely through the cream base. Leave the outer red heart edge slightly raised.
Finish any remaining outside curves with the cream bobble edge.
Blocking And Finishing
Weave in all ends.
Wet block the runner.
Pin the red circles flat.
Shape the cream openwork sections into smooth S curves.
Shape the heart points and top lobes carefully.
Allow the runner to dry completely.