Midnight Poinsettia Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern
Intermediate
For crocheters comfortable with the basics, ready to try new shaping and assembly techniques
Single-Day Project
A satisfying project you can complete in a single afternoon or evening.
Handmade Gift
A beautiful keepsake — free forever. Read online or print at home.
About This Midnight Poinsettia Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern
Bold, dramatic, and striking against any table — this Midnight Poinsettia Lace Table Runner sets vivid red poinsettias and fresh green leaves against a deep black openwork lace. The black background makes the colours glow, giving it a rich, almost stained-glass feel that is perfect for a modern Christmas table.
The body is an airy black shell-lace strip with a scalloped edge, and the poinsettias and leaves are made separately in red and green and sewn on top — so the black and the colours never meet on your hook. If you can work a shell stitch and a pointed petal, you can make this showstopper.
Starting rounds — magic ring and first increases
Why You'll Love This Pattern 💛
The black ground makes the reds and greens pop far more than a cream base would — it reads as dramatic and modern, not traditional. All the colour work is separate appliqué, so the lace body is a pure, relaxing shell-stitch repeat with no colour changes. The same poinsettia and leaf motifs can dress a plain black cushion, stocking, or wreath to match.
Shaping with increases — building the body
Switch Things Up 🎨
Work the body in deep forest green instead of black for a softer, woodland Christmas feel. Use white poinsettias with silver-grey leaves on the black lace for an icy, elegant version. Scatter smaller single-layer poinsettias more densely for a fuller, more romantic look.
Colour variations — personalise your make
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them 🔧
Work in strong, direct light (daylight or a bright lamp) — black yarn hides stitch definition. Using a lighter-coloured lapcloth under your work helps your eyes track the shells.
Always put your shell into the sc, and your sc into the centre dc of the shell below. If the count slips, rip back to the last correct row — shell lace compounds errors quickly.
Stack two layers and sew only through the flower centre and petal bases, leaving the petal tips free to lift off the surface for a 3D effect.
Make sure your red and green are saturated, not muted — against black, soft colours disappear. Bright, pure shades glow; dusty ones fade.
Assembly stage — pinning pieces before sewing
Materials Needed for Midnight Poinsettia Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern
🧶YARN
DK cotton, approximately 180g, for the lace body and scalloped border.
DK cotton, approximately 60g, for the poinsettias.
DK cotton, approximately 35g, for the leaves.
a small amount, for the flower centres.
🪝TOOLS & NOTIONS
4mm.
— Gauge:
motif strip width ~24 cm
— Finished Size:
~90 x 24 cm (36 x 9.5 in)
— Yarn Weight:
DK Cotton
— Hook:
4mm
— Terms:
US Crochet Terminology
— Cost:
FREE ✓
Crochet Abbreviations
Midnight Poinsettia Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern — Full Pattern
🧶BLACK SHELL-LACE BODY (worked flat)
🧶SCALLOPED BORDER (black)
🧶POINSETTIA (red, make 4, two layers)
🧶LEAVES (green, make 8)
🧶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 Midnight Poinsettia Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern — ready to gift or display
You Ask, We Answer ❓
A little — it is just harder to see the stitches, not harder to crochet. Good lighting solves it completely, and the dramatic finished look is well worth it.
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.
