Red Leaf Ladder Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern
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For experienced crocheters who enjoy complex shaping, fine detail, and ambitious construction
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About This Red Leaf Ladder Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern
A bold, festive runner in pure Christmas red. Two columns of large raised leaves – each with a crisp central vein – float between three solid strips, held in place by dozens of fine corded chain bars that look like the rungs of a ladder. Around the outside runs a playful edging of little rosette balls. It is graphic, modern and very Christmassy, but also perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Skill level: advanced
This is a component construction: you make 24 leaves and three solid strips separately, block them, and then connect everything with corded chain bars worked as part of a joining row. Spacing the bars evenly and keeping the leaves aligned in two straight columns is the real skill here.
The components
- 3 solid strips – two narrow outer strips and one centre strip, worked lengthwise in single crochet through back loops for a fine ridged texture.
- 24 leaves – worked around a foundation chain from stem to tip and back; a surface slip-stitch vein is added afterwards.
- Corded chain bars – each bar is a chain, slip-stitched into a leaf and then slip-stitched back along itself so it becomes a firm cord that will not stretch.
Why corded bars?
A plain chain sags and stretches as soon as the runner is used. Working slip stitches back along the chain turns it into a cord with the same length every time – that is what keeps the ladders straight and the leaves floating in place.
Leaf layout
Each column has 12 leaves laid tip to stem, pointing towards the same end of the table. Each leaf is held by 3 bars on the outer-strip side and 3 bars on the centre-strip side, plus a short link at its tip to the stem of the next leaf.
Rosette ball edging
The edging is worked straight onto the outer strips and around the ends: single crochet with a tiny rosette every few stitches – a ring of double crochet worked into one chain that curls into a ball.
Yarn
About 430 g of DK cotton in a true red. Pre-wash a swatch: some reds bleed on the first wash. White, emerald or gold make equally beautiful versions.
More festive makes are in our free Christmas crochet patterns, and you can browse all our free crochet table runner patterns.
Starting rounds — magic ring and first increases
Why You'll Love This Pattern 💛
Floating red leaves, crisp ladder bars and playful rosette balls – a modern festive runner unlike any classic lace.
Shaping with increases — building the body
Switch Things Up 🎨
Emerald green for Christmas, white for a wedding, or burnt orange for Thanksgiving.
Colour variations — personalise your make
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them 🔧
The tr section is too tight. Use a 4.0 mm hook for the leaves or block with starch.
BLO rows pulled too tight. Keep the same tension as the foundation.
Count the chains and always cord them back.
Bars were placed further apart on one side. Use 3 bars per leaf on BOTH sides.
Close each rosette tightly with the sl st to the top of the ch-4.
Assembly stage — pinning pieces before sewing
Materials Needed for Red Leaf Ladder Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern
🪝Tools & Notions
(US G/6) and 3.5 mm (US E/4) crochet hooks
— Gauge:
18 sc and 20 rows = 10 cm (strips)
— Finished Size:
approx. 42 x 120 cm
— Yarn Weight:
DK cotton (Christmas red)
— Hook:
4.0 mm (US G/6) strips, 3.5 mm (US E/4) leaves
— Terms:
US Crochet Terminology
— Cost:
FREE ✓
Crochet Abbreviations
Red Leaf Ladder Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern — Full Pattern
🧶Outer strips (make 2, 4.0 mm)
🧶Centre strip (make 1)
🧶Leaves (make 24, 3.5 mm)
🧶Layout
🧶Joining rows with corded bars (worked along the inner edge of each strip)
🧶Rosette ball edging
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 Red Leaf Ladder Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern — ready to gift or display
You Ask, We Answer ❓
They are plain chains. Work slip stitches back along each chain to cord it.
Yes, but the corded-bar join is part of the look – sewn leaves lose the open ladder effect.
Pin everything on a blocking mat with a ruler line before you start the joining rows.
Use fewer leaves (each leaf + gap = 10.5 cm) and shorten the strips to match.
It can. Pre-wash a swatch and use a colour-catcher sheet on the first wash.
Finished handmade pieces may be sold – please credit Cozy Amigurumi. Do not resell or redistribute the pattern itself.
