Table Runner Knitting Patterns That Add Instant Charm to Your Table

As we get deeper into the “ber” months, it seems like there are more and more occasions where we might gather with people around a table. Why not make your table a little more fun (and show all your guests that you knit) by knitting up a table runner?

Like most other genres of knitting patterns, table runners can be simple or more detailed. On the easier side would be things like this one from Embielle Design, which is mostly garter and stockinette stitch with a little section of diamonds worked by purling on the knit side. They used cotton cord for their runner, but bulky yarn would work great, too. The pattern comes out 14 inches/35.5 cm wide and has options for different lengths, though of course you can make it as long as you like.

Another easy one is the Picnic pattern from Margaret on Ravelry. This one uses simple rows of eyelets and garter ridges to add texture to a stockinette stitch background. It calls for fingering weight yarn and would be a great one for any season depending on the fiber type and color you choose.

The bed/table runner from tracy wright 63 (also on Ravelry) shows how pretty basic knit and purl patterns can be, with easy blocks of texture on a field of stockinette. It uses DK weight yarn and includes options for different sizes based on the size of a bed, but you can alter for your table or dresser as well.

The Hamilton table runner from Wyndlestraw Designs is still knits and purls, but combined in a more complex design to make diamonds. This is still totally approachable and the pattern includes charts and written row by row instructions. It uses DK weight yarn, comes in three sizes of different widths and lengths, and is rated for intermediate knitters.

Want to add a little lace to your runner? Try the easy knitted table runner form Made by Lilian Designs, which uses a simple allover lace pattern worked in bulky yarn to protect your table. The repeat is short and easy to remember so this would be a good beginner lace knitting project.

We can’t forget cables, which are my favorite in the winter. This runner pattern from Handy Little Me has a chunky braided cable running down the center. The rest of the pattern is garter stitch or stockinette, so it’s really easy to knit even if you haven’t done cables before. It uses super bulky yarn and comes in one size but you can always make it longer.

After looking at all these patterns I have a serious question: why are so many table runners white? (I guess you take them off when you eat but mine would definitely attract random stains.)

Get Ready for the Holidays with a Knit Table Runner

There’s a lot to like about the Eloise Bandana from Katryn Seeburger. This cute little colorwork triangle can be worked as a bandana or kerchief size or a bigger shawlette.

It’s worked in two colors of fingering weight yarn so you can use whatever yarn you have in your stash and just make it as big as you can (since it is worked from the bottom up).

You can see the two sizes from the photo, and also two colorwork options: strawberries and lily of the valley.

But that’s not all the choices you have. In fact, there are 34 different charts you can choose from to knit onto your project. Some of the options include happy faces, a lobster, a pumpkin, a snail and a butterfly. There are cherries, peaches, tomatoes and radishes.

There’s even a blank square you can use to draw your own little design if you want to use something else. Or keep it blank and make it a plain checkerboard design.

And while both of these shawls use the same icons throughout, you could also use different designs throughout if you want. Say a fall version with a bat, pumpkin, leaf and acorn, or a summer beach theme with sailboat, fish, lobster and a bird? I keep suggesting four different icons because the larger size has four rows of squares, but the smaller has three, so you could do stripes of the same icon or alternate a couple of different ones, whatever you like.

Look through the finished projects on the Ravelry project page to see lots of different options, from rows to individual icons. There are also some projects that are smaller than the suggested size to make a smaller bandana. You could also keep going a make a bigger shawl working increases in the same way as you have been going.

Check out all the details and grab a copy of the pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: Katryn Seeburger]

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