Welcome, crafter! It’s clear you have a wonderful collection of lace projects, and I’m delighted to provide another original pattern for a truly unique piece. This pattern is inspired by the stunning rectangular table runner you just shared, featuring continuous floral motifs that connect to form a beautiful, intricate path. I’ve named it the Meadow Path Table Runner.
This pattern creates a continuous band of exquisite lace, perfect for a table runner, a dresser scarf, or even as a decorative strip on a pillow. The magic of this design lies in its “join-as-you-go” technique, which allows you to create a seamless piece of any length. This pattern is well-suited for an intermediate to advanced crocheter.
Materials
- Yarn: Fine or fingering weight cotton yarn or crochet thread (approximately 150-200 yards for a standard runner). A solid, light color will beautifully show off the intricate details.
- Hook: A crochet hook appropriate for your yarn weight (e.g., 1.5 mm to 2.25 mm).
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends.
Special Stitches
- Popcorn (Pop): Make 5 double crochet (dc) in the same stitch. Remove your hook from the active loop. Insert your hook into the top of the first of the 5 dc, then pick up the dropped loop and pull it through the first dc. This creates a textured “pop” on the right side of your work.
- V-Stitch (V-st): (Dc, ch 1, dc) in the same stitch or space.
- Picot: Chain 3, slip stitch into the first chain.
Part 1: The First Floral Motif
This section will guide you through creating the first complete floral unit.
Round 1: Make a magic ring. Chain 3 (counts as a dc). Make 15 dc in the ring. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (16 dc)
Round 2: Chain 1 (does not count as a stitch). Sc in the same stitch. Chain 3, skip the next dc, sc in the next dc. Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (8 sc, 8 ch-3 spaces)
Round 3: Slip stitch into the first ch-3 space. Make a Popcorn in the same space. Chain 3, Popcorn in the next ch-3 space. Repeat from * to * 6 more times. Chain 3, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning Popcorn. (8 popcorns, 8 ch-3 spaces)
Round 4: Slip stitch into the first ch-3 space. Chain 1 (does not count as a stitch). (Sc, Picot, sc) in the same space. Chain 3, sc in the next ch-3 space. Chain 3. Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Fasten off and weave in all ends securely. You have completed your first motif.
Part 2: Joining Motifs (The Repeat)
Now, you will create the next motif and join it to the first one as you go. For this pattern, you’ll be joining three points on each new motif.
Step 1: Create the First Part of the New Motif Work Rounds 1 through 3 exactly as you did for the first motif.
Step 2: The Joining Round (Round 4 of the new motif) This is where you will connect the new motif to the previous one.
Begin by working the first two unjoined points of the new motif normally. Slip stitch into the first ch-3 space. In the same space, make (sc, Picot, sc). Chain 3, sc in the next ch-3 space. Chain 3. In the next ch-3 space, make (sc, Picot, sc). Chain 3, sc in the next ch-3 space. Chain 3.
Now, begin the joining process. You will join to three points of the first motif.
- First Join: In the next ch-3 space on the new motif, make (sc, Picot, sl st into a Picot on the previous motif, sc). Chain 3, sl st into the first ch-3 space of the previous motif, Chain 3, sc in the next ch-3 space of the new motif.
- Second Join: In the next ch-3 space on the new motif, make (sc, Picot, sl st into a Picot on the previous motif, sc). Chain 3, sl st into the next ch-3 space of the previous motif, Chain 3, sc in the next ch-3 space of the new motif.
- Third Join: In the next ch-3 space on the new motif, make (sc, Picot, sl st into a Picot on the previous motif, sc). Chain 3, sl st into the last ch-3 space of the previous motif, Chain 3, sc in the next ch-3 space of the new motif.
Finish the last three points of the new motif normally. *In the next ch-3 space, make (sc, Picot, sc). Chain 3, sc in the next ch-3 space. Chain 3. *In the next ch-3 space, make (sc, Picot, sc). Chain 3, sc in the next ch-3 space. Chain 3. In the last ch-3 space, make (sc, Picot, sc). Chain 3, sc in the next ch-3 space. Chain 3.
Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round. Fasten off and weave in all ends securely.
To continue your runner, simply repeat Part 2 (Step 1 and 2) for each new motif you want to add.
Part 3: The Final Edging
Once you have your desired length of runner, you will add a final border to the two long sides to give it a polished finish.
Row 1: Reattach your yarn to the top-right corner of your runner (the Picot of the first motif). Chain 3, sc in the next ch-3 space. Chain 3, sc in the next Picot. Chain 3, sc in the next ch-3 space. Repeat this pattern along the entire side of the runner, working into the ch-3 spaces and Picots of each joined motif.
Row 2: Chain 1 (does not count as a stitch). Sc in the same stitch. Chain 3, sc in the next ch-3 space. Repeat this pattern along the side. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 on the opposite side of the runner.
Video Tutorial:
Finishing Your Runner: Blocking for Perfection
Blocking is essential for any lace project. It allows the stitches to settle, opens up the pattern, and ensures your runner is perfectly flat and straight.
- Dampen it: Gently soak your runner in cool water, or use a spray bottle until it’s saturated.
- Pin it: Lay the damp runner on a foam blocking mat or a thick towel. Gently stretch it to its desired width and length. Use rust-proof pins to secure each point of the motifs and along the straight edges.
- Dry: Leave it pinned until it is completely dry.
- Unpin: Once dry, carefully remove the pins. The runner will hold its shape beautifully.
Enjoy your new Meadow Path Table Runner!
