This two-medallion starburst lace crochet table runner follows the supplied reference closely: two broad circular starbursts sit one behind the other along a long diagonal, and a delicate chain of small eight-point flowers travels around selected outer edges and across the space between them. Fine white cotton thread, open ladder-like rays, and sharply blocked points create the airy heirloom look without adding unrelated color or solid fabric.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Work two identical twenty-four-ray medallions from the center outward. Each ray grows from a marked center sector into a long open lace wedge and finishes at one crisp point. Crochet eighteen small eight-point flowers separately, joining them into three sections: an upper arc, a center bridge, and a lower arc. Attach those sections only at measured solid stitches so the large starbursts remain round and open.
Why You’ll Love This Project
The pattern uses one thread color, but changing stitch density gives it strong visual depth. Dense center rings make the medallions stable, narrow double-crochet ribs define every ray, and chain spaces let the dark tabletop show through. The flower chain softens one side of each geometric starburst and makes the two circles read as one elegant table runner.
Materials
- About 1,650 yards white size-10 mercerized crochet cotton
- 1.75 mm steel crochet hook
- Twenty-four removable stitch markers
- Fine blunt tapestry needle
- Small sharp scissors
- Tape measure
- Large blocking mats and at least 80 rustproof pins
- Optional fabric stiffener diluted for lace blocking
Gauge, Measurements, and Planning
Rounds 1–3 establish 12, 24, and 48 stitches. After the ray rounds, each medallion should measure about 15 inches relaxed and block to 17 inches from point to opposite point. If the first medallion differs by more than half an inch, change hook size before making the second. The flower motifs should block to about 2.25 inches across.
Make and wash a gauge swatch before beginning. Measure only after the swatch is completely dry. If the stitch width differs, change hook size rather than pulling the working yarn tighter. Keep a written count at the end of every section so the finished edges remain balanced and the assembly points line up.
Abbreviations and Special Stitches
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- sp: space
- st(s): stitch(es)
Special stitch guidance: Open ray group: (dc, ch 2, dc) in one marked space. Pointed shell: sc, hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr, ch 3, sl st in the first chain, 2 tr, 2 dc, hdc, sc. Ladder rib: dc in the solid rib stitch, ch 3 across the opening, dc in the next rib stitch.
Before You Begin
- Use the same thread lot for both large medallions so the white tone matches.
- Beginning chains do not count as stitches unless a step explicitly says they do.
- Mark exactly twenty-four center sectors before building the rays.
- Make exactly two large starbursts and eighteen small eight-point flowers.
- Block both medallions to the same template before adding the flower chain.
Instructions
Crochet Two Large Starburst Centers
Count and mark the center carefully because every pair of stitches supports one of the twenty-four lace rays.
- Center Round 1: Make a magic ring, ch 1 without counting it, work 12 sc into the ring, and join to the first sc. (12 sts)
- Round 2: Ch 3, work 2 dc in each of the twelve stitches, and join. (24 sts)
- Round 3: Ch 3, work 2 dc in each stitch around, and join. (48 sts)
- Place a marker after every second stitch to identify twenty-four equal sectors. Recount all 48 stitches before continuing.
- Round 4: Repeat [sc in the next 2 stitches, ch 7] twenty-four times and join. (24 chain-7 arches)
- Round 5: In every chain-7 arch work 7 dc, then ch 3 before entering the next arch. Join after the twenty-fourth group. (24 seven-dc ray bases)
Build Twenty-Four Long Open Lace Rays
Work around all rays at the same height so the medallion stays circular and every point reaches the same radius.
- Ray Round 1: Over each seven-dc base work dc in the first dc, ch 2, dc in the third dc, ch 2, dc in the fifth dc, ch 2, dc in the seventh dc; ch 4 between ray groups.
- Ray Rounds 2–6: Work one dc in each of the four solid rib stitches, increasing every internal chain-2 opening to chain 3, 4, 5, 6, then 7. Keep the chain-4 valleys between adjacent rays unchanged.
- Ray Rounds 7–10: Decrease each ray from four ribs to three, then two, then one pair by slip-stitching to the first open space at the start of each group. Continue widening the internal chain span by one chain per round.
- Point Round: Over the final open span work sc, hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr, ch 3, sl st in the first chain, 2 tr, 2 dc, hdc, sc. Slip stitch through the valley to the next ray. Repeat for all twenty-four points.
- Fasten off and wet-block to a 17-inch circle, pinning all twenty-four points at equal intervals. Make the second medallion identically.
Make Eighteen Eight-Point Flower Motifs
The small flowers form the decorative arcs and the bridge between the two large circles.
- For each flower, make a magic ring and work 8 sc into it. Join and mark the first stitch. (8 sts)
- Repeat [sc in the next stitch, ch 6] eight times and join. (8 chain-6 petal arches)
- Into each arch work one pointed shell: sc, hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr, ch 3, sl st in the first chain, 2 tr, 2 dc, hdc, sc. (8 pointed petals)
- Make eighteen flowers total. Join six flowers tip-to-tip for the upper arc, six for the center bridge, and six for the lower arc. Use two secure slip-stitch joins between neighboring motifs and keep all flower centers facing up.
Arrange and Join the Runner
Copy the reference’s offset layout rather than stacking the two circles in a perfectly straight line.
- Place the two blocked starbursts on a 46-inch guideline with their centers offset slightly left and right. Leave about 2 inches between the nearest large points.
- Lay the upper six-flower arc around the upper-left edge of Medallion 1. Curve the lower six-flower arc around the lower-right edge of Medallion 2.
- Use the remaining six-flower section as a gentle bridge across the center gap, attaching its first two flowers to solid points of Medallion 1 and its last two flowers to solid points of Medallion 2.
- With the same white thread, sew each contact through solid point stitches; never anchor only into a chain space. Block the complete runner to approximately 18 by 46 inches, opening every ray ladder and flower petal.
Assembly and Shaping
Arrange exactly two equal starburst medallions along a shallow diagonal, not side by side across the table width. Keep twenty-four points visible on each circle. The upper and lower flower arcs should frame opposite outer edges, while the third flower section links the two medallions through the center gap. Attach motifs only at solid stitches and preserve open space between the lace elements.
Lay every component on a flat surface before joining. Match the marked centers first, then divide each remaining edge into equal sections. Work through both layers with consistent tension and pause after each section to check that the fabric lies flat. This measured approach prevents twisting and keeps decorative details facing the intended direction.
Finishing
- Weave thread ends through dense center or rib stitches and reverse direction before trimming.
- Mist each large medallion and pin all twenty-four points to a circular template.
- After assembly, pin the full runner to an 18-by-46-inch rectangle while keeping the two circles round.
- Let the lace dry completely, remove all pins, and inspect every flower-to-flower and flower-to-starburst join.
For a polished result, weave each tail through several same-color stitches, reverse direction once, and trim only after the fabric has been gently stretched. Block to the listed dimensions without flattening textured stitches. Inspect joins, borders, straps, and decorative pieces before the project is used or gifted.
Helpful Tips
- Place numbered markers at every sixth ray to divide each medallion into four equal quarters.
- Use a blocking template so the second starburst matches the first exactly.
- If the center ruffles, tighten the first three rounds; if the rays cup, add one chain to each internal opening.
- Keep the white thread clean by storing the work in a cloth bag between sessions.
Good lighting and a contrasting stitch marker make counting much easier. If a section looks uneven, compare the current count with the previous checkpoint before continuing. Fixing one missed stitch early is faster than compensating later, and it preserves the measurements used by the assembly instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use thicker yarn?
Yes, but the runner will become much larger. Make and block one starburst first, then scale the flower count and finished measurements to suit your table.
Why are my starburst points uneven?
Check that Round 3 has exactly 48 stitches and that every marked two-stitch sector receives one ray base. Block all twenty-four points on an evenly divided circle.
Can I omit the flower border?
You can join the two medallions directly, but the eighteen small flowers create the distinctive asymmetrical runner silhouette shown in the reference.
Conclusion
Two identical twenty-four-ray starbursts and eighteen small eight-point flowers create an airy all-white runner with dramatic geometry and delicate vintage detail. Careful counting, matched blocking, and solid-stitch joins keep the open lace crisp and durable.
Printable Crochet Pattern Card
Project: Crochet Starburst Lace Table Runner
Skill level: Advanced Hook: 1.75 mm steel hook Yarn: Crochet Thread
Finished size: Approximately 18 by 46 inches after blocking
Card Materials
- About 1,650 yards white size-10 mercerized crochet cotton
- 1.75 mm steel crochet hook
- Twenty-four removable stitch markers
- Fine blunt tapestry needle
- Small sharp scissors
- Tape measure
- Large blocking mats and at least 80 rustproof pins
- Optional fabric stiffener diluted for lace blocking
Card Instructions
- Crochet Two Large Starburst Centers: Build counted 12-, 24-, and 48-stitch centers, mark 24 sectors, and establish 24 seven-dc ray bases.
- Build Twenty-Four Long Open Lace Rays: Lengthen 24 open ladder rays together, narrow each wedge, add sharp points, and block two identical 17-inch medallions.
- Make Eighteen Eight-Point Flower Motifs: Make eighteen eight-petal star flowers and join them into three curved six-flower sections.
- Arrange and Join the Runner: Offset two starbursts, curve flower arcs around opposite edges, bridge the center, and block the complete 18-by-46-inch runner.
Finish: Check every count, weave in all ends, block to measurement, and inspect each join.
