This Sunflower Crochet Table Runner Pattern features a row of seven bright sunflowers with dark brown centers and layered yellow petals, joined by green lace arches and finished with a ruffled shell border. Each flower is worked separately, so the project is portable and easy to resize. Place it on a dining table, a kitchen island, or a sideboard to add some summer color all year round.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Intermediate, with joining-as-you-go and lace work.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: Seven sunflower motifs are worked separately from the center outward, joined to each other in the last round, then framed with a three-round shell edging.
Estimated size: About 17 × 90 cm (7 × 35 in) after blocking. Each flower measures about 12 cm across. Actual dimensions depend on yarn, tension, and blocking.
Pattern note: This is an original design based on the title concept. Stitch counts have been checked, but the pattern has not been physically crocheted or independently tested. Make one flower first to check the size and adjust the hook if needed.
Materials
- DK-weight cotton yarn in dark brown, approximately 30 g, for the centers.
- DK-weight cotton yarn in golden yellow, approximately 50 g, for the petals.
- DK-weight cotton yarn in leaf green, approximately 90–100 g, for the arches and edging.
- A 3.5 mm hook as a starting point (adjust to your tension).
- Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, and pins.
- Blocking mats and a spray bottle.
Stitches and Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| inc | 2 sc in one stitch |
| sp | space |
| picot | ch 3, sl st in the first ch |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Work in joined rounds without turning. Numbers in brackets give the stitch or space count at the end of each round. Repeat parentheses the stated number of times.
Before You Begin
Make a single flower and measure it. If it is smaller or larger than 12 cm, change the hook size or the number of flowers to reach the length you want.
Mark the first ch-7 arch of Round 6 with a stitch marker and number the arches from there. The joining method depends on knowing which arch is Arch 1 and which is Arch 8, which sits almost directly opposite.
Sunflower Motif (make 7)
Round 1 (brown): 12 sc in MR. Join with a sl st to the first sc. [12]
Round 2: Ch 1, inc in each st. Join. [24]
Round 3: Ch 1, (3 sc, inc) × 6. Join. [30]
Round 4 (yellow): Change to yellow in the final yarn-over of the last stitch. Ch 1, sc in the same st. (Ch 5, skip 1 st, sc in the next st) × 14, ch 5, skip the last st. Join with a sl st to the first sc. [15 ch-5 sps]
Round 5 (petals): Sl st into the first ch-5 sp. In each ch-5 sp work (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc). Join with a sl st to the first sc and fasten off. [15 petals, 7 sts each]
Round 6 (green arches and joining): Join green in the center dc (4th stitch) of any petal. Ch 1, sc in the same st.
- Flower 1: Ch 7, then (sc in the center dc of the next petal, ch 7) × 14. Join with a sl st to the first sc. [15 ch-7 arches]
- Flowers 2–7: Work Arch 1 as follows: ch 3, sl st around the Arch 8 of the previous flower (insert the hook under the chain), ch 3. Work Arches 2–15 as written for Flower 1 and join to the first sc. [15 arches, 1 joined]
Fasten off and weave in the ends. When complete, the runner has 6 join points and 93 free arches (14 on the first flower, 13 on each of flowers 2–6, and 14 on the last flower).
Shell Edging (green)
Round 1: Join green at any free arch. Sc around the arch, ch 5. Continue around the whole outer edge, working (sc around each free arch, ch 5), and (sc in each join sl st, ch 5). Join with a sl st to the first sc. [99 ch-5 loops: 93 arches and 6 join points]
Round 2: Sl st into the first ch-5 loop. In each loop work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Join with a sl st to the top of the first dc. [99 shells]
Round 3: Sl st across to the first ch-2 sp. In the same sp work (sc, picot, sc), then ch 2. Repeat in each remaining shell. Join, fasten off, and weave in the ends. [99 picots]
Finishing and Blocking
Soak the runner in cool water with a drop of mild soap and press out the water in a towel without wringing. Pin it flat on a blocking mat, opening each arch and shaping the petals and picots. Spray with starch for a crisp finish, and let it dry completely before unpinning.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
The petals ruffle. The ch-5 spaces in Round 4 may be too loose. Go down a hook size for Round 4 or skip one fewer stitch.
The flowers pull toward each other. Your joining chains may be too tight. Make the join chains slightly looser and block firmly.
The runner is too short. Add flowers one at a time. Each extra flower adds 13 free arches and 1 join point to Edging Round 1 (14 loops).
The center looks flat. Stuff nothing, but use a firmer yarn for Rounds 1–3 or work them with a half-size smaller hook.
FAQ
Can I use thread instead of yarn? Yes. Use size 10 cotton and a 1.75 mm hook, and expect smaller flowers (about 6 cm). Use more flowers to reach the same length.
Can I make it wider? Yes. Make a second row of flowers and join them to the first through their side arches before working the edging.
Can I change the colors? Yes. Try deep orange petals for an autumn version or white petals for a daisy runner.
Do I need to block it? It is strongly recommended. Blocking opens the arches and makes the petals lie flat.
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- Daisy Garden Table Mat Crochet Pattern
- Crochet Lace Doily Pattern
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