Create an elegant lacy table runner built from interlocking floral medallions in soft cream with sage green accents. This runner features two large lacy centers and a chain of smaller flower motifs joined with delicate scalloped edges for a vintage-inspired, modern look. The pattern uses simple lace stitches and motif-joining techniques—perfect for anyone who loves doily-style crochet for the home. Finished runner shown here uses cotton-blend yarn for a soft, crisp drape.
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— Notes & Gauge :
Info :
Gauge is not critical for this decorative runner but try to maintain similar tension across all motifs for consistent join and blocking. Using a 3.5mm hook with worsted cotton gives a crisp lace; if using thinner yarn, switch to 3.0mm and adjust motif count to reach desired length.
Info :
Pattern is modular: make 2 Large Medallions, and 12 Small Flower Motifs. You can add or subtract small motifs to lengthen or shorten runner.
— Large Medallion (Make 2) :
Round 1 :
With Sage Green, make mr, ch1, 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Round 2 :
Inc in each st around (12)
Round 3 :
(1 sc, inc) x6 (18)
Round 4 :
(2 sc, inc) x6 (24)
Round 5 :
(3 sc, inc) x6 (30)
Round 6 :
(4 sc, inc) x6 (36)
Info :
Center should measure approx 2.5-3 inches across. If your center is too small, add another increase round before petal formation. Fasten off color if you prefer to switch or carry the green behind.
Round 7 :
Change to cream. *Ch4, skip 2 sts, sl st in next st* around to create 12 ch-4 loops; adjust spacing so you have 12 loops (12 loops)
Round 8 :
Working into each ch-4 loop: *(sc, ch2, 3 dc, ch2, sc) in loop* around. Slip stitch to first sc to join (12 petals)
Info :
Petals should lie flat. If they curl, block and steam lightly; if the petals are tight, try ch3 instead of ch2 within clusters on next motif.
Round 9 :
Ch3 (counts as dc), *skip petal centre, 5 dc shell in next space between petals, ch1, sc in top of next petal*, repeat around until 12 shells are formed. Join with sl st to top of ch3 (72 including dc count within shells)
Round 10 :
Ch1, sc in same st, *ch3, skip 3 dc in shell, (5 dc, ch2, 5 dc) shell in ch1 space between shells, ch3, sc in top of shell* repeat around forming larger scallops. Join (12 large shells)
Info :
Check the round count visually: you should have twelve large scallops encircling the center. If your stitch count is off, recount shells and adjust placement of sc anchors.
Round 11 :
Ch4 (counts as tr), *2 tr in same space, ch2, 3 tr in same space (cluster shell), sk to next shell top and sl st to join between shells*, repeat forming fan clusters between petals (12 clusters)
Round 12 :
Change to BLO for next round to create a ridge: ch1, 1 sc in same st, *(3 hdc in next ch-2 space, ch2, 3 hdc) in each cluster space*, join. This produces dense lacy rows toward outer body (count depends on spacing; follow shell spacing visually).
Round 13 :
Ch3, 1 dc in each st around working over the top of previous hdc clusters and shell edges creating a lacy mesh (expect approx 96 dc around depending on personal tension)
Info :
If your dc count is significantly different from 96, pause and check whether you added or missed a stitch in shell rows; consistent counts ensure outer scallops align with small motifs later.
Round 14 :
Ch1, sc in each dc around (96). This creates a firm base for fan rows to follow and evens the edge
Round 15 :
Ch5 (counts as tr+ch2), *skip 2 sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch2, tr cluster (3 tr) in next sc, ch2*, repeat to form tall fan arches around (approx 32 arches depending on spacing)
Round 16 :
Into each ch-2 space of arches: *(sc, ch3, 5 dc, ch3, sc)* to make open petals for the lacy body. Join with sl st (arches doubled into petals)
Info :
This is the wide lace part of the medallion; keep tension loose enough to let fans lie flat. If they pucker, slightly loosen stitch tension or block more aggressively.
Round 17 :
Ch1, sc in each st across petals and base row to smooth, joining as you go. This evens the fabric and prepares for additional fans.
Round 18 :
Ch4, *5 dc shell in ch-3 space at top of each petal, ch1, sc between shells*, repeat around creating taller shell repeats (shells approx 12-16 depending on petal count)
Round 19 :
Ch1, sc in each st around (maintain count), then *ch6, skip small cluster, sl st in top of next shell* to create chain arches in preparation for final scalloped trim
Round 20 :
Change to Sage Green. Join green into each ch-6 arch and work *(sc, ch3, 7 dc, ch3, sc)* to make scallop petals around the outermost round. Join with sl st.
Info :
Outer scallops in green define the medallion. Make sure the scallops are evenly spaced—count arches and scallops to match (12 scallops typical). Fasten off and weave ends. Block medallion flat using pins to shape scallops.
Round 21 :
Optional edging round for extra definition: With Sage Green, sl st to each petal tip and work *sc, picot, sc* in each scallop top (picot = ch3, sl st in first ch). This creates a delicate pointed outline.
Info :
When making the second medallion, mirror the orientation so the inner green centers align towards the middle of the runner. Block both medallions identically to ensure symmetry.
— Small Flower Motif (Make 12) :
Round 1 :
With Sage Green, make mr, ch1, 8 sc in magic ring (8)
Round 2 :
Inc in each st around (16)
Round 3 :
(1 sc, inc) x8 (24)
Info :
Small motif centers are compact; use an optional smaller hook (3.0mm) if you want a firmer center that won't stretch when attached.
Round 4 :
Change to Cream. *Ch4, sl st in next st* around to create 8 ch-4 loops (8 loops)
Round 5 :
Into each loop: *(sc, ch2, 3 dc, ch2, sc)* to form 8 petals. Join with sl st.
Round 6 :
Ch1, sc in same, *ch3, sc in base between petals* around to make small chain spaces for joining later (8 sc, 8 ch-3 spaces)
Round 7 :
Change to Sage Green. Work into each ch-3 space: *(sc, ch2, 5 dc, ch2, sc)* to create an outer scallop rim for small flowers (8 scallops)
Round 8 :
Ch1, sc in each st around, finishing with a tidy round of single crochet to strengthen the outer edge. Fasten off and weave ends.
Info :
Make 12 small motifs total (these act as connectors and spacers). Block each motif gently; small motifs should measure approx 2.25-2.75 inches across depending on yarn.
— Placement Layout :
Info :
Layout the two large medallions aligned along the runner center with a gap between them equal to the width of three small motifs. Arrange small flower motifs around the medallions as pictured: clusters of three at the ends of each medallion and rows of small motifs forming the runner spine. Pin everything in position on a blocking board to confirm spacing.
— Joining Small Motifs to Large Medallions (Row-by-Row joins) :
Join Round 1 :
Start with first medallion and one small motif. With Sage Green, place motifs right sides facing each other at the join point (petal to scallop). Using tapestry needle and whip stitch or single crochet join, attach small motif to medallion by aligning outer scallops: sew through outermost sc of medallion scallop and corresponding sc of small motif (6-8 stitches per join) Repeat for 3-4 connection points around.
Info :
Use a back-and-forth mattress or whip stitch for a flatter seam. For a visible decorative join, use sl st join through working loops instead. Pin before sewing to ensure even tension.
Join Round 2 :
After attaching primary connectors, use slip-stitch joining for chain gaps: hold motifs flat and sl st through the back loop of the medallion edge and the front loop of the small motif to create slightly offset joins that add texture.
Join Round 3 :
When joining motifs in a chain, connect small motifs edge-to-edge by sl st through adjacent ch-3 spaces from Round 6 of small motif. Make neat joins using the same color yarn used for outer scallops (sage green) to create a consistent outline.
Info :
Count petal points as you join so that the runner keeps straight lines between medallions and small motifs. If a motif seems twisted, unpick and re-pin before rejoining.
Join Round 4 :
Attach the second large medallion by connecting small motifs along the spine. Aim to have three small motifs between medallions on each side for the arrangement shown. Use invisible ladder stitch for sewn joins if you prefer the seam to be less visible.
Join Round 5 :
Reinforce structural joins by going around each connection with a round of single crochet in sage green, working through both joined edges to secure the seam and tidy raw edges (approx 1 sc per joined base point). Fasten off and weave in ends through the join for extra security.
Info :
For a more flexible runner, use slip stitch joins instead of sewn joins; for a stiffer runner that holds shape, use single crochet reinforcement and block firmly.
— Decorative Scalloped Border Across Entire Runner :
Border Round 1 :
With Sage Green, join yarn at any outer scallop tip. Ch1, sc evenly around the whole outer edge of the assembled runner, placing (1 sc) in narrower areas and (2 sc) in deeper scallop valleys to maintain flatness. Count approx 200-260 sc around depending on motif spacing.
Border Round 2 :
Ch3, *sk 2 sc, (5 dc, ch2, 5 dc) in next sc to create large scallop*, sk 2 sc, sl st in next sc. Repeat around to create evenly spaced scallops. Adjust repeats to match the number of outer scallop anchors.
Info :
Make sure to keep scallops proportional around narrower join areas: reduce shell size to (3 dc) if necessary in tight spots to avoid rippling.
Border Round 3 :
Ch1, sc around placing *sc, picot, sc* on top of each scallop for definition (picot = ch3, sl st in first ch). Finish with sl st and fasten off neatly.
Border Round 4 :
Optional extra ridge: Work one more round in cream over sl st joining points: Ch1, sc in each st BLO to create a shadow ridge inside the scallop edge.
Info :
Trim any excess tails and weave ends through multiple stitches on the underside so they are invisible from the top side. The final border ties the two main medallions and small motifs into a unified runner.
— Blocking & Finishing :
Info :
Wet-block each motif flat before joining to ensure accurate shape. Pin petals and scallops to desired shape and allow to dry completely. After joining, perform a final blocking of the entire runner on a clean blocking mat, ensuring scallops are pinned to uniform size for symmetry.
Info :
To keep the runner laying flat on a table, consider a light starch spray after blocking to add body. Test on a spare yarn scrap first to avoid shine on the yarn.
Info :
Care Instructions: Hand wash cold and lay flat to dry to preserve shape. Cotton can be gently ironed on low with a press cloth after light damp blocking.
— Customizing Size & Color :
Info :
To lengthen the runner, add additional small motifs evenly into the spine; to shorten, remove pairs of small motifs. Change the outer scallop color to a darker green for contrast or use a neutral taupe for a modern look. Use thread-weight cotton and a 2.5–3.0mm hook for a finer, more delicate runner—adjust motif counts for length accordingly.
Info :
Stitch counts and shell repeats given are a template: when making adjustments, always check that the number of outer scallops and join spaces line up across motifs you intend to connect so joins require no additional shaping.
Completing this lace floral table runner is such a rewarding project—every motif you make brings the runner one beautiful step closer to finished elegance. The neutral cream and sage palette complements many tabletops, and the doily-like medallions bring a touch of vintage charm into modern decor. Pin, block, and join with care and you’ll have a showpiece that elevates any table. 🧶🌿 I'm so excited for you to make and customize yours—happy crocheting!