What Can I Crochet for My Table?

Crocheting is a delicate art that can produce many beautiful projects, such as cozy sweaters, pretty scarves and a multitude of home decorations. Once you know the basic skills of crocheting, use your knowledge to expand your home decor in a meaningful and cost-effective way. To jazz up your kitchen or dining room table, consider a number of crochet projects that will add life and color to an often neglected area. Does this Spark an idea?

Runner

A runner is a long, decorative piece of fabric that "runs" down the length of the table, usually centered. Runners serve a decorative function only, so remove your runner if you place a tablecloth on the table or need the space to place food. Enhance your runner with the addition of a flowerpot, vase or art piece in its center.

There are many different pictures and designs you can crochet to form a table runner. Measure your table before you start and decide where you would like your runner to stop and start. Once you know the length and width you are looking for, you can choose a pattern that fits your table. If you can't find an exact fit, double a much smaller existing pattern or add a few inches to a slightly shorter one.

Place Mats

Place mats are a cute item to crochet for your kitchen table that will add a personalized touch to each meal. Consider the color and style of your dishes before you choose a pattern for the place mats, because you don't want them to clash. Additionally, keep in mind that there will often be a plate placed directly in the center of the mat, so keep the details in the border of the place mat or other areas that will be seen.

Crochetpatterncentral.com offers many free place mat sample patterns, such as an Apple Blossom place mat, a basic rectangular place mat and intricate beaded place mats.

Tablecloth

For the truly ambitious or those anxious to move on to a bigger project, crochet your own tablecloth for your kitchen or dining room table. Keep in mind that, unlike a runner, tablecloths will have food placed directly on top of them and will be at risk for drips and spills. Choose yarn that is washable and durable, so you can easily remove any stains that happen. You might also want to use dark colors, as opposed to white or beige, where stains will be more noticeable.

Smartcrochet.com offers many stunning tablecloth patterns such as the Miami, which features long, twisting roses intertwined with leaves and stemsa, nd the New York, which is a geometric pattern of squares, flowers and other interesting shapes.

Rug

While a rug is not placed directly on your table at all, it is one item that can greatly enhance the look and feel of your table regardless. Placing a crocheted rug underneath your kitchen, dining room or coffee table will add a decorative touch that spruces up the entire eating area and brings color to an otherwise plain spot. A rug under the table will draw attention to your table and chairs set, making plain tables seem fancier and highlighting tables that are already fancy.

Consider dark, warm colors for an under-the-table rug, because it will be constantly stepped on as family members rush to and from the table and it is extremely vulnerable to drips and spills.