by That is a wonderful project! Creating a Table Runner or Bedspread using crochet motifs is a classic way to make a beautiful, customized textile. The key is choosing a motif that is easy to repeat and join, and then deciding on a layout.
I will detail the pattern for the “Victorian Lace Flower Motif,” which is versatile, elegant, and looks stunning when joined into a large piece.
🌸 Victorian Lace Flower Motif Tutorial
This motif combines delicate, airy mesh with raised, textured petals, making it elegant enough for a bedspread or a formal runner.
Materials You’ll Need
- Thread/Yarn:
- For a Table Runner: Size 10 or 20 Cotton Thread for a crisp, lacy look.
- For a Bedspread: DK (Size 3) or Sport Weight yarn for a soft, heavier fabric.
- Crochet Hook: The size appropriate for your material (e.g., 1.5 mm for thread, 3.5 mm for yarn).
- Scissors, Tapestry Needle, Blocking Pins.
Key Crochet Terms
| Abbreviation | Stitch Name |
| ch | Chain |
| sl st | Slip Stitch |
| sc | Single Crochet |
| dc | Double Crochet |
| tr | Treble Crochet (Triple Crochet) |
| Picot | ch 3, sl st into the first ch |
Part 1: Crocheting the Motif
Round 1: Foundation (Center)
- Start: Make a Magic Ring. ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 15 dc into the ring.
- Finish: Pull the tail tight. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch 3. (16 sts).
Round 2: Creating the Mesh Spokes
- ch 1. Work sc in the same st.
- Mesh Loop: ch 4. Skip 1 stitch.
- Repeat: [sc in the next st, ch 4, skip 1 st] 7 more times. (8 ch-4 loops).
- Finish: Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Round 3: Building the Dimensional Petals
- sl st into the first ch-4 loop.
- Petal: ch 3 (counts as dc). Work (3 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) into the same ch-4 loop.
- Anchor: Work sc into the next sc anchor.
- Repeat: Work [Shell (4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) into the next ch-4 loop, sc into the next sc anchor] 7 more times. (8 Petal Shells).
- Finish: Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Round 4: Joining Round (Picot Edging)
This final round is critical as it defines the outer shape and provides anchor points for joining.
- sl st over the first 3 dc stitches to reach the ch-2 peak of the shell.
- Peak Point: Work (sc, Picot, sc) into the ch-2 space.
- Mesh Side: ch 5. Work sc into the sc anchor between the petals.
- Mesh Side: ch 5.
- Repeat: Continue the sequence [(sc, Picot, sc) in the ch-2 peak, ch 5, sc in anchor, ch 5] 7 more times.
- Finish: Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.
Part 2: Multipurpose Assembly Guide
1. Planning Your Layout
- Bedspread: Requires a large rectangular layout. Plan a repeating grid (e.g., 20 motifs x 25 motifs).
- Table Runner: Requires a narrow rectangle (e.g., 3 motifs wide x 10 motifs long).
2. Joining the Motifs (The Simple Method)
Use the Join-as-You-Go (JAYG) method while crocheting the final Round 4 of the second motif.
- When you work the first motif, make the ch 5 loops normally.
- When working the second motif, use this modification:
- Joining Loop: Instead of working
ch 5, workch 2, sl st into the corresponding ch-5 loop of the finished motif, ch 2. - Do this for all ch-5 loops that touch the first motif. This creates a secure, seamless connection.
- Joining Loop: Instead of working
3. Finishing Edging
Once all motifs are joined, add a clean border around the entire perimeter of the project.
- Round 1: Join yarn to a ch-5 space. Work sc into every stitch and chain space around the entire piece, working (sc, ch 2, sc) into the corners.
- Round 2: Work a simple Picot edging (sc, ch 5, skip 2 sts, sc, Picot, sc, skip 2 sts, repeat) around the final edge for a polished, decorative finish.
4. Final Blocking (Essential)
Blocking is critical for bedspreads and runners to ensure the textile lies flat and the lace patterns are fully defined. Wet the finished item, pin it out to its exact final dimensions, and allow it to dry completely.
Video tutorial:
