This cheerful table runner features a long winding green vine that climbs the whole length of a cream lace background, with bright red tulips and soft green leaves growing along both sides. Each tulip has a blush pink center peeking out between its petals, and the vine is striped with lighter green for a natural, twisting look. A red scalloped border frames the whole piece. It is perfect for spring tables, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, and cottage style kitchens.
The runner is made in three parts. First you crochet the cream lace base with its red scalloped edge. Next you make the vine, tulips, and leaves. Finally you sew everything on top for a raised, dimensional look.
Materials
Worsted weight cotton yarn in cream, about 220 g
Worsted weight cotton yarn in red, about 100 g
Worsted weight cotton yarn in sage green, about 60 g
Worsted weight cotton yarn in light green, about 20 g
Worsted weight cotton yarn in blush pink, about 15 g
Crochet hook 4.0 mm
Tapestry needle, scissors, and stitch markers
Finished Size
About 35 by 120 cm (14 by 47 inches)
Stitches Used (US Terms)
ch chain
sl st slip stitch
sc single crochet
hdc half double crochet
dc double crochet
tr treble crochet
MR magic ring
FLO front loop only
shell 5 double crochet worked into the same stitch or space
fan 7 double crochet worked into the same stitch or space
Part 1: The Cream Lace Base
The base is made of 6 lace squares joined in a row, which gives the fan pattern you see across the runner.
With cream, chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as a double crochet), work 2 double crochet in the ring, and chain 3. Work 3 double crochet and chain 3 three more times. Join. You have 4 corners.
Round 2: Slip stitch into the corner space. In each corner, work a fan. Join.
Round 3: Slip stitch to the center of the first fan. Chain 5 and single crochet between fans. Chain 5 and work 3 double crochet, chain 3, and 3 double crochet in the center of the next fan. Repeat around. Join.
Round 4: Slip stitch into the first space. Work a shell in each chain 5 space along the sides. In each corner space, work a fan. Join.
Rounds 5 to 7: Repeat Rounds 3 and 4, adding 1 more shell to each side every round. This builds up the rings of fans shown in the photo.
Round 8: Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch around, with 3 single crochet in each corner. Join and fasten off.
Each square should measure about 20 cm across. Make 6 squares.
Part 2: Joining and the Red Scalloped Edge
Lay the squares in a row and join them with cream using a slip stitch seam through the back loops on the wrong side.
Round 1: Join cream at one corner. Chain 1 and single crochet evenly around the whole runner, with 3 single crochet in each corner. Join.
Round 2: Chain 1 and single crochet in the first stitch. Skip 2 stitches and work a shell in the next stitch. Skip 2 stitches and single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat around. Join and fasten off.
Round 3: Join red. Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch around, with 2 single crochet in the top 3 stitches of each shell. Join.
Round 4: Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch around. Join and fasten off. The two red rounds make the bold scalloped frame.
Part 3: The Vine
With sage green, chain 160.
Row 1: Half double crochet in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn.
Row 2: Chain 2 and half double crochet in the front loop only across, changing to light green for 6 stitches every 15 stitches. This makes the lighter stripes along the vine. Turn.
Row 3: Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch across. Fasten off.
The vine should be about 110 cm long.
Short stems (make 7): With sage green, chain 15. Slip stitch in the back bump of each chain. Fasten off.
Part 4: The Tulips (make 7)
Each tulip has a pink center and 3 red outer petals.
Pink center: With blush pink, chain 8. Half double crochet in the 3rd chain from the hook, double crochet in the next 4 chains, and 5 double crochet in the last chain. Work back down the other side with double crochet and half double crochet. Join. You have a small oval.
Red petals (make 3 per tulip): With red, chain 9.
Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook, half double crochet in the next chain, double crochet in the next 4 chains, half double crochet in the next chain, and 3 single crochet in the last chain. Work back down the other side in the same order. Join.
Row 2: Chain 1 and single crochet around the petal, with 3 single crochet at the rounded top. Fasten off.
Sew one red petal on each side of the pink center, cupping them inward so the pink shows in the middle. Sew the third red petal in front, slightly lower, so it covers the bottom of the center. Pinch the base together and sew.
For the small tulips near the top of the runner, make the center with chain 6 and the petals with chain 7.
Part 5: The Leaves (make 8)
With sage green, chain 16.
Round 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook, hdc in the next 2 chains, dc in the next 3 chains, tr in the next 4 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 of the chain in the same order. Join.
Round 2: Chain 1 and single crochet around the leaf, with 3 single crochet at the tip. Join.
Round 3: Work front post slip stitches up the center to make the raised vein. Fasten off.
Assembly
Pin the vine in a long, gentle S curve from the bottom of the runner to the top, as shown in the photo. Sew it down with small stitches along both edges.
Sew a short stem branching off the vine for each tulip, alternating sides.
Sew a tulip at the end of each stem, placing the largest tulips near the bottom and smaller ones near the top.
Sew the leaves along the vine between the tulips, alternating sides.
Weave in all ends on the back.
Blocking
Lightly dampen the runner and pin it flat with straight sides. Pin out each shell on the border and open the fans in each square. Do not press the tulips or leaves so they stay raised.
Ways to Use Your Tulip Runner
Use it as a centerpiece for spring, Easter, or Mother’s Day tables.
Use it on a Christmas table, since the red, green, and cream colors fit the holiday.
Make a single lace square with a tulip as a placemat or doily.
Use a single tulip as a brooch, hair clip, or gift topper.
Make a shorter version with 3 squares for a dresser or nightstand.
Color Ideas
Yellow tulips with a green vine on white for a sunny spring look
Pink tulips with a sage vine on cream for a soft romantic style
Purple tulips with a green vine on gray for a modern table
Orange tulips with an olive vine on ivory for a warm autumn feel
Tips for Success
Make the vine a little longer than needed so you can shape the curve freely.
Pin the whole vine before sewing to check that the curve looks balanced.
Cup the tulip petals firmly as you sew so the flowers keep their shape.
Block the lace squares before joining so they line up evenly.
Final Thoughts
This red tulip vine lace runner is a fresh, charming project that brings a spring garden to your table all year long. Share your finished runners in the comments below. We would love to see your makes!