Crochet Christmas Table Runner

I’ve used all of the classic colors for my crochet table runner and added a tassel to the ends as well. You’re free to make it in brighter or more neutral tones, depending on how you like your tablescape. You also have the option of giving it a striped look by alternating colors throughout. The possibilities are endless!

Since the stitches used are basic ones, this isn’t a very time-consuming project and the colorwork and granny stitch triangles grab your attention so you won’t be mindlessly crocheting throughout. You can also use this crochet granny triangle in different projects once you get the hang of it.

Related: Looking for more table decor options that aren’t holiday specific? You can make this Boho Chic Crochet Table Runner to use year-round!

Why Crochet a Table Runner?

A handmade table runner is not only a great way to elevate your dining room decor but also incredibly practical. Here are a few reasons why you should consider making one:

• Easy to Make: This pattern is great for beginners and experienced crocheters alike, requiring only basic stitches and a few special stitches that are explained below.
• Customizable: A handmade table runner instantly makes your space feel warm, cozy, and uniquely yours. Choose your favorite yarn and color to match your personal style.
• Relaxing and Rewarding: Crocheting a table runner such as this one is soothing, and every time you’ll see it spread across your table, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment.

How to Crochet a Table Runner

There are a few parts to this crochet Christmas table runner so it’s best to go through this construction guide before you begin. First, you’ll start by crocheting two granny stitch rectangles to which you’ll add trees through colorwork.

Next, you’ll crochet two granny stitch triangles and whipstitch one to each tree Christmas tree square. These will form the ends of your table runner. Then, attach whichever yarn you want for the main body of the table runner and work it up to the length needed according to your own table size.

Lastly, you can choose to attach tassels to the table runner as I did because, in my opinion, it adds to the charm of the piece and helps in holding it down over the edges of the table.

Yarn

I used Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton for my version of the Crochet Christmas Table Runner. This is a wonderfully soft 100% cotton yarn that’s perfect for year-round use. It’s currently available in 24 colorways which includes beautiful solid colors as well as variegated ones so you can easily achieve the look you’re going for.

Because it’s cotton, it’s easily washable and very durable, making it great for table runners that get a lot of use out of them, especially for holiday feasts.

Abbreviations (U.S. Terms)

• ch(s): chain(s)
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sp(s): space(es)
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sc2tog: single crochet decrease by 1
• Alt-ch3: alternate chain-3
• sc-cl: single crochet cluster
• Join with a standing dc
• yo: yarn over
• RS: Right Side; WS: Wrong Side

Gauge

• In granny stitch pattern: 37 sts = 9-1/4″; 22 rows = 8″
• See Swatch Instructions below.

Experience Level

• Easy

Size

• One Size
• Customize Length instructions below.

Special Stitches

• Alternate Chain-3 (Alt-Ch3): Complete last st of previous row, take loop off hook, insert hook into sp between last dc and last 3 dc of previous row, put loop on hook and pull thru sp, turn, ch 3.
• Single Crochet Cluster (sc-cl): Insert your hook into the stitch indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, insert hook in same st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru all 4 loops on your hook.
• Join yarn with a standing double crochet: Begin with a slip knot on your hook, yo, insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on your hook, yo, pull through remaining 2 loops on your hook.

Christmas Table Runner – Free Crochet Pattern

Gauge Swatch for Granny Stitch Tree Motif Pattern

Gauge: In granny stitch with a 4.00mm hook, 37 sts = 9-1/4″; 22 rows = 8″

Row 1: With yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 14, working into the back humps of the foundation ch, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook and in each ch across. (13 sts)

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as a st), Turn, dc in the same st as ch 3, * skip each of the next 2 sts, 3 dc in the next st, work from * 3 times, skip each of the next 2 sts, 2 dc in the last st. (13 sts)

Row 3: Ch 3, Turn, 3 dc in each of the next 4 sps, dc in the top of ch 3. (14 sts)

Row 4: Alt-ch3, dc in the same sp, 3 dc in each of the next 3 sps, 2 dc in the last sp. (13 sts)

Row 5: Ch 3, Turn, 3 dc in each of the next 4 sps, dc in the top of ch 3. (14 sts)

Row 6: Alt-ch3, dc in the same sp, 3 dc in each of the next 3 sps, 2 dc in the last sp. (13 sts)

Row 7: Ch 3, Turn, 3 dc in each of the next 4 sps, dc in the top of ch 3. (14 sts)

Row 8: Alt-ch3, dc in the same sp, 3 dc in each of the next 3 sps, 2 dc in the last sp. (13 sts)

Finished Dimensions: approximately 3-1/4″ W x 2-3/4″ H

Christmas Tree Motif (Make 2)

Color Changing Notes

• You can use any color changing technique that you prefer. I chose to use intarsia crochet and float my unused yarn along the back side of my work. If you do not like to see the floats, you can use bobbins of yarn for each colored section.
• Work all color changes on the last pull through of the last stitch before the new color.
• Make sure to work all color changes on the WS.
• Carry and float the unused yarn when working the motif, but do not pull yarn floats tight or your gauge will be greatly affected.
• See below for a photo of a finished motif.
• Here’s a detailed tutorial and tips on how to color change.

Row 1: With MC yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, ch 38, switch to 4.00mm crochet hook, working into the back humps of the foundation ch, sc in 2nd ch from your hook and in each ch across. Place a SM in the 1st st of Row 1. Turn. (37 sts)

Row 2 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc here & throughout), dc in the same st, skip each of the next 2 sts, * 3 dc in the next st, skip each of the next 2 sts, work from * 11 times, 2 dc in the last st. Turn. (37 sts)

Row 3: Ch 3, 3 dc in each of the next 12 sps, dc in the top of ch 3. (38 sts)

Beginning with Row 4, follow the color chart below.

Row 4: Alt-ch3, dc in the same sp, 3 dc in each of the next 11 sps, 2 dc in the last sp. Turn. (37 sts)

Rows 5 – 21: Rep Rows 3 – 4, ending with a Row 3 rep.

Row 22: With MC yarn, Alt-ch3, dc in the same sp, 3 dc in each of the next 5 sps, with CB yarn, work 3 tr into the middle dc of the cluster of dc sts from Row 20 that is directly below (this creates part of the tree trunk), with MC yarn, 3 dc in each of the next 5 sps, 2 dc in the last sp. Turn. (37 sts)

Row 23: Rep Row 3.

Row 24: With MC yarn, ch 1, sc in each of the first 13 sts, with CC yarn, sc-cl in each of the next 5 sts, with CB yarn, work 2 tr in the middle treble from Row 22,with CC yarn, sc-cl in each of the next 5 sts, with MC yarn, sc in each of the remaining 13 sts. Turn. (38 sts)

Row 25: With MC yarn, ch 1, sc in each of the first 13 sts, with CC yarn, sc-cl in each of the next 12 sts, with MC yarn, sc in each of the remaining 13 sts. Turn. (38 sts)

Row 26: Ch 1, sc in each of the first 18 sts, sc2tog, sc in each of the remaining 18 sts. Turn. (37 sts)

Rows 27 – 30: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (37 sts)

Leave a tail of yarn that is 3 – 4 times the width of the last row, then fasten off. This tail of yarn will be used for whipstitching a granny stitch triangle to the last row of the tree motif. Continue on to the Granny Stitch Triangles.

Your Christmas Tree Motif should measure approximately 9-1/4″ W x 9-5/8″ H.

Granny Stitch Triangle (Make 2)

Rnd 1: With CC yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 7 (counts as 1 dc + ch-3 corner sp), work all of the following into the 7th ch from your hook, (3 dc, ch 3) twice, 2 dc. Join with a sl st to the 4th ch. (9 dc + 3 ch-3’s) Fasten off CC yarn.

Rnd 2: With MC yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing dc in the first ch-3 corner sp from the previous rnd, ch 3, work 3 more dc in the same corner sp, ch 1, then work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 1) in each of the remaining two ch-3 corner sps, 2 dc in the first ch-3 sp. Join yarn with a sl st to the first st. (18 dc + 3 ch-3’s + 3 ch-1’s) Fasten off MC yarn.

Rnd 3: With CA yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing dc in the first ch-3 corner sp from the previous rnd, ch 3, work 3 more dc in the same corner sp, ch 1, * 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in the next ch-3 corner sp, ch 1, work from* twice, then 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 2 dc in the first ch-3 sp. Join yarn with a sl st to the first st. (27 dc + 3 ch-3’s + 6 ch-1’s) Fasten off CA yarn.

Gauge Check: At this point, your triangle should measure approximately 3-1/2″ across any of the three sides.

Rnd 4: With CB yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing dc in the first ch-3 corner sp from the previous rnd, ch 3, work 3 more dc in the same corner sp, ch 1, then * (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp across to the next ch-3 corner sp, work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 1) in the next ch-3 corner sp, work from * twice, then work (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp across to the first ch-3 corner sp, 2 dc in the first ch-3 sp. Join yarn with a sl st to the first st. (36 dc + 3 ch-3’s + 9 ch-1’s) Fasten off CB yarn.

Rnd 5: With CC yarn, Rep Rnd 4. (45 dc + 3 ch-3’s + 12 ch-1’s) Fasten off CC yarn.

Rnd 6: With MC yarn, Rep Rnd 4. (54 dc + 3 ch-3’s + 15 ch-1’s) Fasten off MC yarn.

Rnd 7: With CA yarn, Rep Rnd 4. (63 dc + 3 ch-3’s + 18 ch-1’s) Fasten off CA yarn.

Rnd 8: With CB yarn, Rep Rnd 4. (72 dc + 3 ch-3’s + 21 ch-1’s) Fasten off CB yarn.

Rnd 9: With MC yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing dc in the first ch-3 corner sp from the previous rnd, ch 3, work 3 more dc in the same corner sp, ch 1, then * (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp across to the next ch-3 corner sp, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in the next ch-3 corner sp, work from * twice, then work (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp across to the first ch-3 corner sp, 2 dc in the first ch-3 sp. Join yarn with a sl st to first st. (81 dc + 1 ch-3 + 2 ch-2’s + 24 ch-1’s) Place a locking SM in a chain in each of the 2 ch-2 corner spaces.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Make a second Granny Stitch Triangle, block them, if desired. Then continue on to Assembly.

Progression Photos – Granny Stitch Triangle

Assembly

Step One: Position one Christmas Tree Motif and one granny triangle in front of you with the RS facing up, as shown in the photos below. Use the SM you placed into the chains of the triangle to connect the triangle to the Christmas tree motif and hold them in place while seaming.

Step Two: With a yarn needle and tail of yarn left, whipstitch the granny tree motif to the triangle. Weave in ends.

Repeat for the other Christmas tree motif and granny triangle. Continue on to the Runner.

Progression Photos – Assembly

Runner

Rnd 1: Choose either of your Christmas tree motif and granny triangle assemblies for this next section. Position it so that the RS is facing up and the bottom of Row 1 of the Tree Motif is along the top edge. Working into the bottom of Row 1 from the Christmas Tree Motif, with MC yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing dc in the stitch marked with a SM, dc in the same st, skip each of the next 2 sts, * 3 dc in the next st, skip each of the next 2 sts, work from * 11 times, 2 dc in the last st. Turn. (37 sts)

Row 2: Ch 3, 3 dc in each of the next 12 sps, dc in the top of ch 3. (38 sts)

Row 3: Alt-ch3, dc in the same sp, 3 dc in each of the next 11 sps, 2 dc in the last sp. Turn. (37 sts)

Rep Rows 2 – 3, ending with a Row 3, until your Runner section measures the length you’ve calculate using the instructions below.

How to Calculate the Length of Your Table Runner Section

• Total Length of your own Table ___ – Minus 19″ (the Height of 2 Christmas Tree Motifs) = Total Length your Runner section needs to be
• Example: If your table is 54″ long, you’ll have: 54″ – 19″ = 35″ is the length that the Runner section needs to be.

The length of the Runner section that’s shown in the photos is 53″. My table is 6′ long.

Leave a tail of yarn that is 3 – 4 times the width of the last row, then fasten off. With a yarn needle and tail of yarn, whipstitch the last row of the Runner to the bottom of the first row of the other Christmas Tree Motif. Weave in ends.

Continue on to the Edging.

Edging

In this section, you’ll work a simple single crochet edging around the entire table runner.

Rnd 1 (RS): Choose the tip of either of the granny triangles to begin this next section. With MC yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a sl st in the ch-3 sp at the tip of the triangle, ch 1, work 2 sc into the ch-3 sp, work 1 sc into each dc & ch-1 along the edge of the triangle, then working along the tree motifs and runner, work 1 sc into side of each sc row and 2 sc into the side of each dc row until you reach the next triangle, then work 1 sc into each dc & ch-1 along the first edge of the triangle, work 3 sc into the ch-3 sp at the tip of the triangle (place a SM into the middle sc of the 3 sc group), work 1 sc into each dc & ch-1 along the second edge of the triangle, then working along the opposite side of the tree motifs and runner, work 1 sc into side of each sc row and 2 sc into the side of each dc row until you reach the first triangle, then work 1 sc into each dc & ch-1 along the last edge of the triangle, work 1 more sc into the beginning ch-3 sp. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. Stitch count isn’t crucial.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, work 3 sc into the first st, sc in each st across to the st marked with a SM, work 3 sc into the st marked with the SM, then sc in each remaining st around to the 1st st. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. Stitch count isn’t crucial.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Tassels, if desired.

Tassels (Make 2)

Make and attach tassels to each end of the table runner, if desired. For a full tutorial on how to make yarn tassels, check out this post.

Note: This is how I made the tassels shown on the table runner. You can certainly make yours longer / thicker, if desired.

Step 1: Wrap your yarn around 4 fingers, 15 – 20 times. Cut yarn.

Step 2: Cut an 8″ piece of yarn. At one end, thread the yarn thru the center of the yarn wrapped around your fingers and tie it in a tight knot.

Step 3: Cut the yarn on the end opposite the knot you just made. Remove the tassel from your fingers.

Step 4: Cut an 8″ piece of yarn. Wrap this piece of yarn around the tassel approximately 1/2″ from the knot at the top. Tie a tight knot then wrap the yarn around the same spot 3-4 times. Knot again and tuck the ends inside the tassel.

Step 5: Trim the free ends of the tassel to even them out.

Step 6: Attach one tassel to each end of the table runner using the yarn from step 2. Weave in ends.