Turquoise Diamond Popcorn Lace Table Runner — Free Crochet Pattern

This bright turquoise runner is built from three large lace squares turned on point, so the whole piece becomes a chain of diamonds with pointed ends. Each square has a starburst of lacy “spiderweb” stars in the middle, a frame of plump popcorns, solid double-crochet diamond bands and a second ring of lace. The squares are joined corner to corner, the side gaps are filled with half-square triangles, and small round rosettes cover the points where the diamonds meet. Finished with a fan edge, it hangs over the table in two dramatic points.

Skill level: advanced

This is a construction project. You will work large squares with many stitch types (popcorns, clusters, spider lace and solid bands), then half-square triangles worked in rows to straighten the sides, then a border that turns both inside corners (where the triangles meet the diamonds) and outside points. Careful counting and blocking are essential.

Anatomy of the big square

• Centre (Rnds 1–3): an eight-point lace star worked over chain loops.
• Popcorn ring (Rnd 4): eight popcorns sit on the star points.
• Squaring (Rnd 5): treble corners turn the round into a square.
• Solid band (Rnds 6–7): plain double crochet – this is the smooth diamond band you see in the photo.
• Lace band (Rnds 8–9): mesh with a line of popcorns.
• Outer solid band and edge (Rnds 10–12).

Popcorns that really pop

A popcorn is 5 double crochet in one stitch; remove the hook, insert it into the first dc from the front, pick up the dropped loop and pull it through. Always close popcorns from the front (right side) so they bulge outward. If you work some rounds from the wrong side, close those popcorns from the back instead.

Half-square triangles

To turn a line of diamonds into a straight-sided runner, the V-shaped gaps along each long side are filled with triangles worked in rows: they start at the long edge with a full row and decrease by one square-unit at each end every row until they come to a point. Their stitch pattern mirrors the outer bands of the big squares, so the fill looks continuous. The ends of the runner are left pointed.

Yarn and size

About 520 g of DK cotton. The turquoise in the photo is a vivid aqua; choose a cotton with good colour fastness. For a longer runner, make 4 squares (approx. 172 cm point to point). In worsted cotton with a 5 mm hook each square grows to about 36 cm.

Blocking

Block each big square to exactly 30 cm before joining, pinning every popcorn. After joining and bordering, block the whole runner with the long sides pinned straight and the two end points pinned sharply.

If you like diamonds, you will also enjoy the Lavender Diamond Lace Table Runner. Browse more free crochet table runner patterns.

Three dramatic lace diamonds with starburst centres and popcorn frames that turn a long table into a statement piece.

White for a classic heirloom, cobalt blue for a Mediterranean table, or soft sage for a calm everyday runner.

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.