Knitting is an old craft, but it’s not just for grandma anymore. There are tons of amazing ways to knit in the home, from cozy scarves and hats to blankets and sweaters. One of my favorite projects is a table runner that can be used for any occasion.
A table runner adds a beautiful touch to your dining room or kitchen table, and knitting one yourself is easy with this how-to guide!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Knitting can be a fun and rewarding way to create beautiful home decor pieces. |
| By using quality yarn and a pattern, you can create a unique and durable table runner for your home. |
| Knitted table runners can add a personal touch to your home decor that can’t be found in store-bought items. |
| Even beginner knitters can create a beautiful table runner by starting with a simple pattern and working their way up. |
| Don’t be afraid to experiment and add your own personal flair to your knitting projects. |
Choose Your Yarn
When choosing yarn for this project, it’s important to consider both the look and feel of the finished product.
Choose a yarn that is soft and durable—yarns with nylon or acrylic are great choices for table runners because they’re easy to clean and can withstand spills without easily staining or pilling up.
Choose a yarn with good stitch definition, so that your patterns will be clear and well-defined when you’re finished knitting.
This makes it easier to see where one pattern ends and another begins when you’re working on the piece; otherwise, everything looks like one big blur!
You’ll also want to choose an easy-to-work-with yarn that won’t fray or pill in order to achieve smooth edges once your project is complete; ribbing is usually a good choice here because it provides structure but also allows some flexibility if you want more give in certain areas (like corners).
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Choose Your Needles
The needles are your tools to knit with. They can be made of metal, wood or plastic and come in different sizes and lengths. You also have a choice of the shape of the needle’s eye (where you put your yarn through), which will affect how easy it is to get your yarn onto the needle without tangling.
Some needles have flat ends that make them easier to use for learning how to knit, whereas pointed ones may be better for more experienced knitters who want a finer gauge of fabric.
Some people like using bamboo because it has a slight springiness that makes it easier on their hands, while others like metal because they find they get fewer splinters when they’re working with very fine yarns or lace work where mistakes are more noticeable than on most knitting projects.
| Needle Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Straight Needles | Have a pointed end at one end and a stopper at the other, used for flat knitting or seaming |
| Circular Needles | Have two needle tips connected by a flexible cable, used for knitting in the round or flat knitting with a large number of stitches |
| Double-Pointed Needles | Have a tapered point at each end and are used to produce seamless items in the round, like hats or socks |
Knit A Swatch
First, knit a swatch. A swatch is a small sample of knitting that you make before starting the project that you are planning to make. You can use this sample to check your gauge and make sure you have enough yarn for your project.
To measure the gauge, cast on enough stitches to cover an area of about 6 by 6 inches (15 by 15 cm). The number should be divisible by 6 (you’ll see why later). If it isn’t, just add an extra stitch or two when casting on until it is divisible by six again.
Knit every row using stockinette stitch (knit right side rows; purl wrong side rows) until the swatch is square, usually about 1 inch (2.5 cm) tall in each direction when measured across its width and length. Bind off loosely so that your stitches are not too tight after washing and drying.
Measure 8 inches (20 cm) from one corner along one side edge of your swatch; count how many stitches are between this point and where you started knitting.
This number should be divided into groups of 4 plus 2 extra stitches (or 3 plus 1 extra stitch if needed), with each group representing one motif rectangle
If yours isn’t divisible by four like mine was then just add some more stitches until it does work out as being in groups of four plus two extra or three plus one extra; this will help keep things balanced as well as making sure there’s enough space for everything once we’re done knitting!
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Check Your Gauge
Checking your gauge is important because it will ensure that your table runner is the right size. If you don’t check your gauge, you might end up with a table runner that’s too small or too large.
To check your gauge:
- Cast on enough stitches to measure 3 inches wide and knit in garter stitch (stockinette stitch) until the piece measures 12 inches long.
- Bind off loosely and block to measurements. Measure the width of the knitting; this is your stitch gauge in inches per 4 inches of width (for example: 9 stitches/4 inches = 2.25 stitches/inch). This can also be stated as “9 stitches per inch” or “9 spi.”
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Gauge Swatch | A small piece of knitting, in the same stitch pattern and tension as your project, that helps you determine if you’re on the right track |
| Ruler or Tape Measure | Used to measure the gauge swatch or the knitted project |
| Needle Gauge | A flat tool with holes of different sizes where you can insert your needle to identify the needle size |
| Stitch Counter | Keeps track of the number of stitches you’ve made to keep your stitch count consistent |
Measure And Calculate The Amount To Knit
First, measure the length of your table. This will tell you how many stitches to cast on for your table runner. To do this, fold the knitting so that it is half as long as it will be when completed and make a mark with a pencil where these two ends meet.
Then, count how many stitches fit along this fold line and divide by 4 (for an average-sized plate).
For example: if my finished runner was going to be 15” long, I would know that I needed 30 stitches total between those two needles at each end of my project–that’s 60 total stitches divided into four quarters gives me 15″ x 4 = 60 total stitches needed for my project.
Now we need to figure out how many rows we need based on this formula: number of rows equals number_of_stitches/(number_of_rows) x 4; again using our example from above–30 stitches divided by 16 rows gives us approximately 2″.
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Skill Up
Knitting for the home is about more than knitting and purling. You need to learn how to cast on, knit, purl, bind off, increase and decrease stitches.
In addition to this you’ll find it helpful if you understand how projects are made up of rows (called stitches) that make up a fabric. It’s impossible to follow patterns without understanding these basics!
Once you’ve learned these skills you’re ready to move on to making your own table runner!
Choose A Pattern
The first thing you will want to do is choose a pattern that is not too complicated. A table runner pattern that has more than two colors and intricate stitches may prove difficult if you are new to knitting.
You will also want to avoid simple patterns as they typically use only one color and have few stitches, which can become boring after a while.
I recommend choosing a pattern that you like best because then you will enjoy making it and looking forward to completing it so that it can be used in your home decorating efforts!
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Choose The Color Scheme
Once you’ve decided on the size and shape of your table runner, it’s time to choose a color scheme. There are several considerations that will help you make this choice:
- The room where the table runner will be used
- The table itself (if it isn’t round)
- Your decor or preferences for the space in which it will be placed
- Whether or not you want something bright or muted
| Color Scheme | Description |
|---|---|
| Monochromatic | A single color in different shades and tones |
| Analogous | Colors next to each other on the color wheel, like blue and green |
| Complimentary | Colors opposite each other on the color wheel, like blue and orange |
| Triadic | Three colors spaced evenly on the color wheel, like blue, yellow and red |
| Gradient | A smooth transition from one color to another |
Cast On, Knit, And Bind Off
To begin knitting your table runner, you’ll need to cast on the appropriate number of stitches to create the length you want.
Cast on by making a slipknot and then looping the yarn around the needle in an overhand loop, inserting the left-hand needle into that loop as if purling and drawing it through (as shown). You will have one stitch on your right-hand needle after casting on.
Next, knit across all stitches using your preferred method the most common way is to insert the tip of your right-hand needle into each stitch from front to back; then use it as a cable without turning (or “rounding”) between rows.
Once you’ve knit all stitches off both needles, turn them so that their tips point toward you (handles facing upward).
You’ll now bind off these stitches in reverse order by passing them over each other from left to right with an upside down V shape.
When binding off more than one row at once like this, make sure that each subsequent row is slightly tight compared with previous rows (but don’t pull too hard!)
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Conclusion
In the end, I hope that you’ve learned something from this tutorial. If you want to make a table runner and don’t know where to start, then read through this article again.
You can do it! There’s nothing wrong with starting small, as long as you take it slowly and keep at it until your project is finished.
Further Reading
Here are some more resources on how to knit table runners:
Skillshare: Learn how to create a beautiful table runner using simple knitting techniques in this step-by-step tutorial.
Making It In The Mountains: Follow this easy-to-follow guide to create a stylish and customizable table runner that will fit any decor style.
Kneedles and Life: This knitting pattern is perfect for beginners who want to create a modern and elegant table runner with a beautiful geometric pattern.
FAQs
How do I choose the right yarn for knitting a table runner?
Choosing the right yarn will depend on the design and style of the table runner you want to knit. A fine cotton or linen yarn is perfect for creating delicate lace or openwork patterns, while a thicker wool yarn will give your runner a cozy and rustic look.
What are some simple knitting patterns for a table runner?
There are many simple knitting patterns that are perfect for beginners who want to make a table runner, such as the garter stitch, stockinette stitch, and seed stitch. To add more texture, you can also try a rib stitch or moss stitch.
How long does it take to knit a table runner?
The time it takes to knit a table runner will depend on the complexity of the pattern and the size of the runner. A simple, straight stitch table runner may only take a few hours, while a more complex design with lacework or colorwork may take days or even weeks.
How do I block my knitted table runner?
Blocking a knitted table runner is important to ensure it lies flat and holds its shape. To block your runner, soak it in lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes, roll it in a towel to remove excess water, and then pin it to a blocking board or mat to dry.
Can I customize my knitted table runner?
Absolutely! Knitting allows for endless customization options, so you can choose the yarn, stitch pattern, and size of your table runner to fit your preference and decor style.
My name is Hellen James, and I’m a crochet and knitting expert. I’ve been crocheting since I was just a kid, but I started taking it seriously when I realized that it was a great way to de-stress and relax. Now that I have kids of my own, I love teaching them how to do it too!