Crochet & Lace Table Toppers

Table linens have been used for hundreds of years to protect and decorate dining tables. Table linens that are crocheted or have lace or crochet trim add a lovely Victorian look to a dining room. There are many types available for purchase in a wide range of prices. There are also many patterns available for the crochet crafter to make. These patterns can be purchased at craft stores, ordered online or downloaded for free. Does this Spark an idea?

Dining Table Toppers

Whether a handmade piece, a treasured heirloom or a purchased item, the traditional tablecloth is a popular item for a formal look in a dining room. Tablecloths can be round, oval, square or rectangular, and are available in a wide variety of sizes. Table runners are long cloths or lace panels that cover the center of the table and their ends usually hang several inches off the ends of the table. Table covers for the center of the table enhance a centerpiece and protect the table.

Coffee-Table and Tea-Table Toppers

Tea tables were used for small, informal meals in Europe and the Americas for centuries. The smaller table required a smaller cover. Often the table was covered to the floor with a fabric tablecloth topped with decorative crochet or lace that covered only the center of the table. As sofa- and chair-back heights decreased in the middle to late 1800s, the tea table was replaced by the lower coffee table. These, of course, needed their own types of covers. The doily became popular either as a whole top cover or a center accent.

Placemats

Placemats are designed to cover only the area upon which dishes and flatware rest. They can be made from a variety of materials including crochet thread or yarn, or fabric with lace trim. The size of placemats is dictated by the size of the tableware and how much of the table should show. They can be as formal or informal as desired, with elegant fabric and intricate filet crochet stitches, or simple single crochet work with yarn left over from other projects.

Doilies

A doily is a small mat, usually circular, that is often used under vases, lamps and other objects that rest on tables. These were very popular during the Victorian era and lend an antique look in today's home. Doilies also vary in quality and delicacy, although if used as a protector under vases or other items that could mar the table top, the doily is usually somewhat heavier and more absorbent. Doilies are a favorite project for learning how to crochet.