This striking table runner features a large layered flower in the center, with red outer petals, gray middle petals, and a white inner flower with a beaded red center. Around it, eight big leaf shaped petals in white, gray, and red spread out like a star. White filet mesh panels stretch toward each end, and a border of red fans edged in gray, scattered with little white flowers, frames the whole piece. It is perfect for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and elegant dining tables all year.
The runner is made in four parts. First you crochet the two white mesh panels and the eight leaf petals. Next you make the layered center flower. Then you join everything and work the red and gray fan border. Finally you make the small white flowers and sew them around the border.
Materials
Worsted weight cotton yarn in white, about 180 g
Worsted weight cotton yarn in red, about 180 g
Worsted weight cotton yarn in gray, about 100 g
Small red beads, about 20
Crochet hook 3.5 mm
Tapestry needle, beading needle, scissors, and stitch markers
Finished Size
About 45 by 120 cm (18 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
fan 9 double crochet worked into the same stitch or space
shell 5 double crochet worked into the same stitch or space
puff pull up 3 loops in the same stitch and close them together
Part 1: The White Mesh Panels (make 2)
Each panel is a pointed oval worked in rows, wide in the middle and narrow at both ends.
With white, chain 12.
Row 1: Double crochet in the 4th chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. You have 10 stitches.
Row 2: Chain 3, then double crochet in the same stitch. Chain 1, skip 1 stitch, and double crochet in the next stitch. Repeat across to the last stitch, then work 2 double crochet in the last stitch. Turn.
Rows 3 to 12: Repeat Row 2, increasing 1 stitch at each end of every row, to make a widening mesh. Work 2 rows of solid double crochet every 4 rows to make the textured bands shown in the photo.
Rows 13 to 20: Chain 3 and work in the mesh pattern across with no increases.
Rows 21 to 30: Work in the mesh pattern, decreasing 1 stitch at each end of every row, until 10 stitches remain.
Round 31: Chain 1 and single crochet evenly around the whole panel. Join. Change to red and work 1 more round of single crochet. Join and fasten off.
Part 2: The Leaf Petals (make 8)
With gray, chain 12.
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 2 chains, dc in the next 2 chains, hdc in the next chain, and 3 sc in the last chain. Work back down the other side in the same order. Join. Fasten off gray.
With red, embroider a straight line down the center of the gray piece.
Round 2: Join white. Chain 1 and single crochet around, with 2 single crochet in each stitch along the widest part and 3 single crochet at the tip. Join.
Rounds 3 to 4: Chain 2 and half double crochet around, increasing at the tip. Join.
Round 5: Join red. Chain 1 and single crochet around, with 3 single crochet at the tip. Join and fasten off.
Part 3: The Layered Center Flower
Outer red layer: With red, make a magic ring. Chain 1 and work 10 single crochet. Join. Chain 1 and work 2 single crochet in each stitch. Join. You have 20 stitches. Chain 1, single crochet in the first stitch, chain 4, skip 1 stitch, and single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat to make 10 loops. In each loop, work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 5 dc, 1 hdc, and 1 sc to make 10 petals. Join and fasten off.
Middle gray layer: With gray, work the same way but make 8 loops of chain 3 and work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 1 hdc, and 1 sc in each. Join and fasten off.
Inner white flower: With white, make a magic ring. Chain 1 and work 6 single crochet. Join. In each stitch, work chain 2, a puff, chain 2, and slip stitch to make 6 puffy petals. Join and fasten off.
Center: With red, make a magic ring and work 8 single crochet. Pull closed. Sew the red beads around it.
Stack the layers from largest to smallest, turning each one so its petals sit between the petals below. Sew them together through the center.
Part 4: The Red and Gray Fan Border
Lay the 2 mesh panels end to end with their points facing each other and a gap of about 20 cm between them. Place the 8 leaf petals in the gap in a star shape, 4 pointing up and 4 pointing down, as shown in the photo.
With red, sew the petals to each other at their sides and to the points of the mesh panels.
Round 1: Join red at one end of the runner. Chain 1 and single crochet evenly around the whole outer edge. Join.
Round 2: Chain 8, skip 6 stitches, and single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat around to make a row of large loops. Join. These loops make the open spaces between the panels and the fans.
Round 3: Slip stitch into the first loop. Work a fan in each loop around. Join.
Round 4: Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch of each fan, with a slip stitch between fans. Join and fasten off red.
Round 5: Join gray. Chain 1, single crochet in the first stitch, and chain 1. Repeat around, working 2 single crochet in the top 3 stitches of each fan. Join and fasten off.
Part 5: The Small White Flowers (make 26)
With red, make a magic ring. Chain 1 and work 5 single crochet. Join and fasten off red.
Join white. In each stitch, work chain 2, 2 double crochet, chain 2, and slip stitch to make 5 petals. Join and fasten off.
Assembly
Sew the layered flower to the center of the runner, over the inner points of the leaf petals.
Sew one small white flower between each pair of fans, along the inside edge of the border. Sew one flower at the tip of each end.
Weave in all ends on the back.
Blocking
Lightly dampen the runner and pin it flat. Pin each fan and point sharply and open the mesh squares. Do not press the center flower or small flowers so they stay raised.
Ways to Use Your Flower Medallion Runner
Use it as a centerpiece for Christmas or Valentine’s Day dinners.
Make a single mesh panel with a fan border as a doily.
Use the layered center flower on its own as a brooch or gift topper.
Drape it across a dresser, piano, or buffet.
Make the small flowers as a garland for a holiday mantel.
Color Ideas
Navy, white, and silver for a crisp winter table
Pink, cream, and gray for a soft romantic style
Green, white, and gold for an elegant Christmas look
Yellow, white, and gray for a bright spring table
Tips for Success
Count your stitches after each increase and decrease row so both mesh panels match.
Make all 8 leaf petals before joining so you can check that they are the same size.
Lay out every piece and pin it before sewing to check the shape of the runner.
Use a firm mercerized cotton so the fans and petals hold their shape.
Final Thoughts
This red, white, and gray flower medallion runner is a show stopping project that adds elegance to any table. Its bold colors work for the holidays and all year round. Share your finished runners in the comments below. We would love to see your makes!