Materials
- Cream cotton yarn, medium weight
- Orange cotton yarn for the border
- Small amounts of rust, mustard, dark green and burgundy yarn
- Crochet hook suitable for your yarn, approximately 3.5–4 mm
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
- Optional: fabric stiffener for a firmer runner
Finished Size
Approximately 35–45 cm wide × 120–150 cm long, depending on yarn and tension.
Main Runner
Work the runner lengthwise or widthwise according to your preferred construction.
Chain a multiple of 4 + 2.
Row 1
Double crochet in the 4th chain from the hook. Continue with double crochet across the foundation chain.
Row 2
Chain 3 and turn. Work 1 double crochet in the next stitch. Continue across.
Repeat until you reach the desired length.
Openwork Diamond Section
For the decorative center, use a repeating combination of chains and double crochet.
Row
Chain 3, skip 1 stitch, double crochet in the next stitch, chain 1, skip 1, double crochet in the next stitch.
Repeat across.
Following Rows
Work double crochet into the previous row’s double-crochet stitches and chain spaces to create the open diamond/lattice appearance.
Continue the repeat until the center section reaches the required length.
Floral Side Panels
Create small crocheted flowers and leaves separately.
Flowers
Using cream yarn:
Make a magic ring.
Round 1: Work 8 single crochet into the ring.
Round 2: In each stitch, work:
Single crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet, chain 2, single crochet.
Repeat around to create small petals.
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Autumn Leaves
Use rust, mustard, orange and dark-green yarn.
Chain approximately 8–12 stitches.
Work single crochet, half-double crochet, double crochet and treble crochet progressively toward the center to form a pointed leaf.
Work down the opposite side of the foundation chain using the same stitches in reverse.
Slip stitch around the leaf and fasten off.
Make several leaves in different sizes.
Decorative Vines
With dark-green yarn, chain 15–25 stitches.
Work slip stitches or single crochet along the chain.
For curled tendrils, wrap the chain around your finger while working the final stitches, allowing it to naturally curl.
Pumpkins
Large Pumpkin
With orange yarn, chain 18–22.
Work rows of half-double crochet in the back loop only.
Continue until the piece is approximately twice as long as its desired height.
Fold the rectangle in half and sew the short edges together.
Gather one opening tightly with a tapestry needle.
Stuff lightly with fiberfill.
Gather the second opening and close it.
Using orange yarn and a tapestry needle, pass the yarn vertically around the pumpkin several times, pulling gently to create the characteristic pumpkin sections.
Small Pumpkins
Use the same method with fewer foundation chains and fewer rows.
Make several pumpkins in different sizes.
Stems
Use dark-brown or dark-green yarn.
Work a small rectangle or tightly crocheted cord, roll or fold it slightly, and sew it to the top of each pumpkin.
Scalloped Border
Attach orange yarn around the entire runner.
Work single crochet evenly around the edge.
For each scallop:
Skip 1–2 stitches, then work several double crochet stitches into the next stitch or space.
Skip 1–2 stitches and repeat.
Continue around the entire runner, adjusting the number of stitches so the scallops remain evenly spaced.
Finish with a round of slip stitches.
Assembly
Lay the runner completely flat.
Arrange the crocheted leaves, flowers, berries and curled vines near both ends.
Place the large pumpkins in the center of each decorative end with smaller pumpkins around them.
Sew every decorative element securely to the runner using matching yarn.
For a more dimensional appearance, stitch only the center of some leaves while leaving their edges slightly raised.
Finishing
Weave all loose ends into the back of the work.
Lightly block the runner into a rectangular shape.
Allow it to dry completely before placing it on the table.
The finished design combines a cream openwork center, orange scalloped edging and autumn pumpkin-and-leaf appliqués for a seasonal farmhouse-style table runner.