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Stunning DIY Table Runner: A Nostalgic Way to Use Hand-Crocheted Doilies

Hey friends! Did you get hooked on making those easy crochet doilies? Are you wondering what the best ways to decorate with them are? Well, I’ve been busy arranging mine to create a stunning DIY table runner. By simply using that same easy doily pattern and a bit of creative placement, you can design a custom, nostalgic runner for your dining table. Let me share the easy details!

hand crocheted doily table runner on rustic farmhouse table with ironstone pitcher & pink tulips

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Supplies For DIY Doily Table Runner

I’m sharing the supplies for making the doily table runner, just like mine. However, you can use multiple colors to create this table runner. You can make it larger or smaller, all the same color, or every doily a different color.

3 DIY Crochet Doilies in pink, cream, and green

Hand Crochet Easy Doily Pattern

I previously shared a step-by-step tutorial for making this easy doily. You can see the details of the tutorial at Handcrafted DIY Crochet Doily Pattern.

If you would like a free download of the pattern, which includes both doily sizes, click on “Easy Crochet Doily Pattern” to print the instructions.

I made 7 of the larger Easy Crochet Doilies and 2 of the smaller doily pattern.

close up of scallop edge of doily
9 hand crocheted doilies in green, pink, and cream with needle & yarn.

How To Attach Doilies For Table Runner

Once you have your doilies crocheted, it’s an easy process to attach them to create the table runner. Begin by arranging them in the pattern you desire. Thread your needles with the matching pieces of yarn.

I used 7 larger doilies in the center and the 2 smaller ones at either end.

Arrange doilies in the pattern you desire and use large needle and yarn to stitch together

Stitch the Doilies Together

Since you are connecting different-colored yarns, use the color you feel will be less noticeable on the other-colored doily. Determine the points of contact, lay the doilies with their tops facing each other, and stitch a couple of stitches to connect them.

You only need a few stitches to connect, and then run the yarn back through the backside of the doily to secure. Trim any excess yarn.

hand stitch doilies together at the points where they touch with yarn

I arranged my doilies so that the colors were scattered around the table runner. This would also be lovely in one solid color.

9 hand crochet doily table runner on rustic farmhouse table

Layer Textiles

Don’t feel you have to use the table runner alone on a bare table. I’m loving this fun block print tablecloth from Cotton Print Club. The doily table runner adds to the handcrafted, modern heritage style of the tablecloth.

Crochet Doily Table Runner on Block Print Blue & White Tablecloth

How to Style Your Table With a DIY Crochet Table Runner

The crochet doily table runner looks so lovely at the center of my rustic farmhouse table that I hesitate to add other decor. If I hadn’t planned to add place settings when using the runner, I would have made it longer for greater impact.

hand crochet doily table runner on rustic farmhouse table

The crochet pattern adds a colorful, fun texture to the table center.

close up of hand crocheted doily table runner on farmhouse table

But I’m using it as the foundation for the table centerpiece, so I did add a simple ironstone pitcher filled with faux tulips. The pitcher allows the table runner to still shine on the table.

hand crochet doily table runner on rustic farmhouse table with ironstone pitcher & pink tulips

A couple of vintage brass candlestick holders and flicker tapers complete the simple centerpiece. There is still room on the table to add the place setting and serving pieces.

hand crochet doily table runner on rustic farmhouse table with pitcher, tulips and candlesticks

Additional Options for Decorating With Crochet Table Runners

Want some additional options to decorate with your crochet doily table runners? Here are some creative ways to add colorful texture to other areas of your home.

Other Surfaces To Showcase Doily Runner

  • The Mantel: Place the doily runner in the center of the mantel and let it drape over the edges for a decorative touch.
  • The Rustic Coffee Table: A shorter version of the runner is perfect for a coffee table. Layer it with a tray, books, candlesticks, etc.
  • A Console or Entryway Table: Add a nostalgic touch to your entryway. It softens the look of a wooden console and makes the entryway feel immediately welcoming and “handmade.”
  • Bedroom Dresser or Nightstand: Add a “shabby chic” romantic touch to your bedroom. It’s also a practical way to protect the wood surface from jewelry or perfume bottles.

Go Vertical: Hang Your Doilies

Doilies are not just decorative for table tops. With many designs and intricate patterns, they make amazing art, window treatments, and more.

Crochet Doily Wall Art:

  • Add a narrow wall strip to hang a runner for a decorative wall hanging.
  • Frame Doilies individually
  • Attach doilies to a canvas for wall art
Framed Crochet doily wall art
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Crochet Doily Wall Art From Pinterest
Photo credit: Pinterest

Window Valance: A cafe-style window valance made with crochet doilies would be adorable.

Create Different Designs of Runners

You can choose to arrange your doilies in any way to accommodate the surface of the wall you want to use them for. If you have a round table, you can create a round runner by using a larger doily in the middle and surrounding it with the smaller ones.

Get creative with your designs.

A round table runner with large and small doilies.

FAQ

For these doilies I used a 3.75 mm hook. However, the larger the hook, the larger your doily will be. I have used a 6.00 mm hook for a large doily.

Any yarn will work for crocheting doilies. However, I like using a cotton yarn when I can. I feel it gives the doily a more vintage feel. I used a combination of yarns for these three doilies and love the texture of each one. The thickness of the yarn will also determine the finished size of your doily.

I actually began this project with a much larger runner in mind. However, I wanted to use it with placesetting as well as the centerpiece. Therefore, I scaled the size back to just 9 doilies. My original plan was two rows of 3 doilies and three rows of 2 doiles in between. Then finish with 1 doily at each end.

My table is narrow and the 3 rows of doilies only worked at the center of my table to allow room for the plates.

Absolutely not! You can make your table runner in any shape or pattern you desire. I mentioned a round table runner above but the options are endless. You could crochet all the doilies the same size or color. Another idea would be to place them randomly with all different colors like a patchwork design.

I hope you enjoyed today’s “Old School” Nostalgic craft, and I look forward to sharing more ideas with you soon.

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