Crochet this gingham-look
table runner.

Crochet maven Lily Chin, a world record-holder in speed crocheting, designed this gingham table runner pattern exclusively for Better Homes and Gardens. It's suitable for beginner to advanced-beginner crocheters. One of the best things about the pattern is its versatility: In cool weather, you can take the runner off the table and wear it as a stole instead. The overall size of the finished project is 16 1/4 x 72 3/4 inches long before border.

See below for complete instructions for this project.

 

Designer
Lily Chin

• Lily Chin Signature Collection "Chelsea" (30% merino wool, 35% cotton, 35% acrylic, 50g/approx. 191 yards)
• #5811 Light Denim Blue (B), 5 skeins
• #4908 Ecru (E), 5 skeins
• Crochet hook, size F or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: 18 sc and 20 sc rows = 4 inches when worked in pattern stitch.

Standard abbreviations: ch = chain sc = single crochet dc = double crochet st = stitch rep = repeat RS = right side WS = wrong side

Special abbreviation: ddc = dropped double-crochet, instead of working dc into next st, work into st 3 rows below this next st (usually into last row worked in same color as working yarn).

Note: If desired, do not end off yarns but carry color not in use along side edge. "Catch" or twist it together with working yarn at this edge every alternate row to prevent long floats. Always work off last 2 loops at end of row with new color when changing colors.

With B, loosely ch 74.

Row 1 (WS)- Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, changing to E at last st = 73 sc. Row 2 (RS)- With E, ch 1 and turn, sc in each of first 4 sc, * ch 1, skip next st, sc in each of next 3 sc; rep from * across, end with extra sc at end. Row 3- Rep row 2, changing to B at last st. Row 4- With B, ch 1 and turn, sc in each of first 2 sc, * ch 1, skip next st, sc in next st, ddc over next st, sc in next st; rep from * across, end with ch 1, skip next st, sc in each of last 2 sts. Row 5- Ch 1 and turn, sc in each of first 2 sc, * ch 1, skip next st, sc in each of next 3 sc; rep from * across, end with ch 1, skip next st, sc in each of last 2 sts, changing to E at last st. Row 6- With E, ch 1 and turn, sc in each of first 2 sc, * ddc over next st, sc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, sc in next st; rep from * across, end with ddc over next st, sc in each of last 2 sts. Row 7- Rep row 2, changing to B at last st. Rows 8 through 21- Rep rows 4 through 7, you will end with rep of Row 5.

+ Rows 22 through 39- With E only, rep rows 6 and 7, then continue to rep rows 4 through 7, changing to B at very last st. Rows 40 through 49- Rep rows 4 through 7. Rows 60 through 77- With B only, rep rows 4 through 7, changing to E at very last st. Rows 78 through 97- Rep rows 6 and 7, then continue to rep rows 4 through 7 with E only, changing to B at very last st. +

Rep from + to + until piece measures 72 3/4 inches long or 363 rows total, ending with pattern row 19 (same as row 3). Row 364- With B, ch 1 and turn, sc in each of first 4 sc, * ddc over next st, sc in each of next 3 sts; rep from * across, end with sc in last st. Do not end either yarn, B is at end of last row and E is at beginning of last row.

Trim: Turn piece so that WS faces, pick up where E is, sc evenly around all 4 edges, working 3 sc in corners, working into every stitch across, and skipping every 5th row along side edges, join with a slip st to beg of row, end off. Turn piece so that RS faces, pick up where B is, sc in each sc around, working 2 sc in corners, join with a slip st to beg of row, end off.

Finishing: Weave in all yarn ends, steam block if desired.