A long autumn table runner built from five oversized sunflowers with dark brown centres, golden-yellow petals and a white scalloped outer edge, surrounded by crocheted leaves in rust, olive, mustard and brown.
This runner is best assembled from separate motifs rather than worked as one large piece. The flowers overlap slightly and the leaves fill the gaps, giving it the dense harvest look shown in the photograph.
Finished size is approximately 95 to 110 cm long and 28 to 34 cm wide.
What you’ll need
DK or light worsted cotton in dark brown, sunflower yellow, warm white, olive green, rust, burnt orange, mustard and tan.
A 3 to 3.5 mm hook and tapestry needle.
Sunflower centre
Make five in dark brown.
Round 1. 6 sc in MR.
Round 2. Inc around. (12)
Round 3. Sc, inc around. (18)
Round 4. 2 sc, inc around. (24)
Round 5. 3 sc, inc around. (30)
Round 6. 4 sc, inc around. (36)
For extra texture, work round 6 in back loops only or add surface slip stitches in a spiral.
Yellow petal round
Join yellow.
For each petal, work into successive stitches:
*sl st, ch 6, starting in second chain sc, hdc, dc, tr, tr, then sl st into the next centre stitch.*
Repeat around. Aim for 18 to 20 petals.
Second petal layer
Turn the flower over.
Work ch-5 arches behind the first petals, attaching each arch between neighbouring petals.
Into each arch work:
sc, hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr, 2 dc, hdc, sc.
This creates the fuller layered yellow ring.
White scalloped edge
Join warm white behind the outer petals.
Work *sc, skip a small gap, 5 dc in next space, skip a small gap* around, adjusting spacing so each white scallop sits between or behind the yellow petals.
Block gently so the white border remains visible.
Autumn leaves
Make about 28 to 36 leaves in mixed colours.
Ch 10.
Starting in second chain:
sl st, sc, hdc, dc, 3 tr, dc, hdc.
Work 3 sc into the final chain.
Continue down the opposite side:
hdc, dc, 3 tr, dc, hdc, sc, sl st.
Fasten off.
For a pointed leaf, add ch 2, sl st in second ch at the tip.
Leaf vein
Use a contrasting shade and surface slip stitch from the base to the tip.
For maple-like or more textured leaves, add two short side veins with embroidery.
Tiny berries and sprigs
Ch 7 to 12 for a stem and work small bobbles or picots at the ends.
Use rust, orange and mustard. These little pieces are useful for filling spaces between the large leaves.
Assembly
Lay the five sunflowers in a straight vertical line. Allow their white scalloped edges to almost touch.
Place larger leaves diagonally between flowers, then add smaller leaves around the outside.
The photographed runner has no obvious rectangular foundation, so for the closest result sew the motifs directly together at multiple hidden points.
If you prefer more stability, add a narrow dark green crochet strip underneath and sew the flowers to it.
Finishing
Steam or wet block lightly. Do not flatten the sunflower centres.
Trim and weave in every end on the back.
Variations
Use six or seven flowers for a longer dining table. Omit the white scallops for a more natural sunflower look. Use cream and muted gold for a softer farmhouse palette.