Autumn Harvest Pumpkin Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern
Intermediate
For crocheters comfortable with the basics, ready to try new shaping and assembly techniques
Multi-Day Project
A rewarding 12+ hour journey — perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.
Handmade Gift
A beautiful keepsake — free forever. Read online or print at home.
About This Autumn Harvest Pumpkin Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern
This Autumn Harvest Pumpkin Lace Table Runner is the one that makes guests stop and ask “did you make that?” A long oval of delicate cream diamond-mesh lace runs down the centre, finished with a soft orange scalloped shell edge, and at each end sits a full harvest cluster — a plump 3D pumpkin flanked by smaller gold pumpkins, autumn leaves in rust and gold, red berry clusters, and curling green tendrils.
It looks like an heirloom but it is built from simple pieces: an airy mesh body you can work in an evening, a scalloped border, and a handful of small 3D appliqués (pumpkins, leaves, berries) that you make separately and sew to each end. If you can work a double crochet and a chain space, every part of this is within reach.
Starting rounds — magic ring and first increases
Why You'll Love This Pattern 💛
The open mesh body works up fast and light, so most of your time goes into the fun part — the little 3D pumpkins and leaves that make it look like a real harvest centrepiece. Because the appliqués are made separately, you can make them while watching TV and just sew them on at the end, and you can reuse the exact same pumpkins on wreaths, baskets, or napkin rings. It is endlessly adjustable: a short version for a side table, a long one for a Thanksgiving feast, with as many or as few pumpkins as you like.
Shaping with increases — building the body
Switch Things Up 🎨
Work the mesh in oatmeal or soft grey instead of cream for a more muted, modern farmhouse look. Swap the orange pumpkins for white (Cinderella) pumpkins with sage leaves for an elegant neutral version. Use just one small cluster in the centre instead of two ends for a quicker mug-rug or candle mat.
Colour variations — personalise your make
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them 🔧
Keep your chain-1 spaces consistent and do not pull them tight. Counting the ch-spaces at the end of each row catches a missed or doubled space before it grows.
Stuff them firmly — understuffed pumpkins slump. Pull the rib wraps snug so the segments are defined, and close the top hole fully before adding the stem.
Sew them on with the runner laid flat and blocked first, using small stitches spread across each piece rather than one tight knot, so the weight is distributed.
If it ruffles you have too many shells — skip one more stitch between them; if it cups, skip one fewer. It should lie flat with a gentle wave.
Assembly stage — pinning pieces before sewing
Materials Needed for Autumn Harvest Pumpkin Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern
🧶YARN
DK cotton, approximately 200g, for the diamond-mesh body.
DK cotton, approximately 70g, for the scalloped border and the large pumpkins.
DK cotton, approximately 40g, for the small pumpkins and gold leaves.
DK cotton, approximately 25g, for the red leaves and berry clusters.
DK cotton, approximately 25g, for the leaves, stems and curling tendrils.
a small amount, for the pumpkin stems.
🪝TOOLS & NOTIONS
4mm (US G/6), or a size that gives a firm, even mesh.
for sewing the appliqués and weaving in ends.
a small amount, just to plump the 3D pumpkins.
— Gauge:
diamond mesh: 5 ch-sp = 10 cm
— Finished Size:
~100 x 35 cm (40 x 14 in)
— Yarn Weight:
DK / Light Worsted Cotton
— Hook:
4mm
— Terms:
US Crochet Terminology
— Cost:
FREE ✓
Crochet Abbreviations
Autumn Harvest Pumpkin Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern — Full Pattern
🧶MESH BODY (cream, worked flat as a long oval)
🧶SCALLOPED SHELL BORDER (burnt orange)
🧶LARGE PUMPKIN (burnt orange, make 2)
🧶SMALL PUMPKINS (mustard gold, make 4)
🧶LEAVES (rust, gold, olive — make about 10)
🧶BERRY CLUSTERS (deep red, make 6 clusters of 3)
🧶TENDRILS (olive, make 4)
🧶ASSEMBLY
Assembly & Finishing Tips
💡 Weaving in ends
Use a tapestry needle to weave each tail back and forth through at least 5–6 stitches in different directions. A tiny dot of washable glue on the final stitch before trimming adds extra security for toys used by children.
💡 Sewing pieces together
Pin each piece firmly to the body before sewing. Use mattress stitch for the most invisible join — insert the needle under the same yarn bar on alternating pieces and pull firmly. Knot securely at start and end, weave both tails deep into the body.
💡 Positioning safety eyes
Take time here — eye spacing determines the character's entire personality. Closer eyes look more intense; further apart looks more friendly and playful. Pin both positions and step back before snapping the backs on permanently. Once snapped, eyes cannot be moved without damaging the fabric.
💡 Blocking
Not required for amigurumi, but lightly steam-blocking any warped pieces will relax the fibres. Hold a steam iron a few centimetres away — never let it touch the stuffing or safety eyes directly.
💡 Care instructions
Handwash in cool water with mild detergent, press gently to remove excess water, lay flat to dry. Many acrylic yarns are machine washable on a gentle cycle in a laundry bag — always check your yarn label.
⚠️ Important Notes
- Use stitch markers at the start of every round — don't rely on memory to count.
- Work with consistent tension throughout. Gauge swatch before starting if in doubt.
- Fasten off leaving long tails for sewing — at least 30cm for each piece you'll need to attach.
- Pin and check positioning of all pieces before sewing any of them permanently.
Beginner's Guide to Amigurumi 🌱
Amigurumi (Japanese: ami = knitted/crocheted + nuigurumi = stuffed toy) is the craft of making small crocheted characters. You start with a magic ring, work in continuous spiral rounds of single crochet, and shape the piece through increases and decreases — no seams, no joins, no turning.
The magic ring creates a closable centre with no hole. Wrap yarn around two fingers, insert the hook, yarn over and pull through. Work your first round into this ring, then pull the tail to close tight. Practise a few times — it becomes effortless quickly.
The invisible decrease — insert your hook through the front loop only of the first stitch, then the front loop only of the second stitch. Yarn over, pull through both loops, then yarn over again and pull through the remaining two. Working through front loops only makes the decrease blend into the fabric instead of leaving a bump.
Tension matters most. Amigurumi needs tight, firm tension so stuffing can't show through. If you can see white fiberfill peeking between your stitches, go down one hook size. The fabric should feel dense and firm — like a tightly woven canvas, not a loose net.
The finished Autumn Harvest Pumpkin Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern — ready to gift or display
You Ask, We Answer ❓
Completely and permanently free — read it online, print it, or save it to your phone. No login, no email, no payment. Please just do not copy or republish the written pattern itself.
Yes — you are welcome to sell finished handmade pieces you crochet from this pattern. Please credit Cozy Amigurumi as the pattern source when you share them online.
Please do — blocking is the single biggest difference between a piece that looks homemade and one that looks like an heirloom. Wet or steam block, pin to shape, and let it dry completely.
You can, but cotton blocks crisper and shows the lace detail far better. If you use acrylic, choose a firm one and steam block gently rather than wet block.
This pattern repeats in simple units, so just add or remove motifs/blocks until it fits your table. Keep the count even for a symmetrical look.
