Snake Table Runner

Impress your guests with a hooked and hand-stitched table runner by Pat Strong. ■ DROPS Karisma (100% wool, 50g/100m), 4 balls of Off White (01)

1 ball of each: Brown (04), Black (05) ■ A 4mm (US G/6) hook

TENSION

16 sts and 18 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over dc, using a 4mm hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension

MEASUREMENTS

Table runner measures 30x80cm (11 x31 in)

NOTES

This project is not tension dependent and the size can be adjusted easily – bearing in mind this will affect yarn quantities.

TABLE RUNNER

Using Black and a 4mm hook, ch51.

Row 1 (RS) Dc in second chain from hook, dc in each ch to end, changing to Brown on last yrh of last dc, turn. [50 dc]

Row 2 Ch1 (does not count as a st throughout), dc in each st to end, changing to Black on last yrh of last dc, turn.

Row 3 Ch1, dc in each st to end, changing to Off White on last yrh of last dc, turn.

Rows 4-137 Using Off White, ch1, dc in each st to end, turn.

If desired, add more rows here in Off White. On last dc of Off White, change to Black on last yrh, turn.

Next row Ch1, dc in each st to end, changing to Brown on last yrh of last dc, turn.

Next row Ch1, dc in each st to end, changing to Black on last yrh of last dc, turn.

Next row Ch1, dc in each st to end.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

TO MAKE UP

Block using your preferred method or by following care instructions from the yarn manufacturer.

The following instructions are for the surface decoration, you can the images below as a helpful guide.

CENTRAL COLUMN

Using a single strand of Black yarn, work as follows:

Work a running stitch up the centre of the fabric, making sure there are 25 sts on either side as you work up the length. Work over 2 rows and under 2 rows.

Count 4 Off White rows up and work a diamond over 2 rows/sts, using the black line as the centre. Repeat this, leaving 4 rows between each diamond.

Next, using a single strand of Brown yarn, work as follows:

Starting at the bottom of the fabric, work a diamond outlining the black diamonds already worked. These should be 2 sts/rows to the outside of the small Black diamonds. Using a crochet hook, work a chain zigzag line that is 3 sts out from either side of the central Brown diamonds (a double thickness of running/backstitch/chain st can be used instead if preferred).

OUTSIDE COLUMNS

Working with a single strand of Black: Work a running stitch, 6 sts in from the edge of the cloth on both sides, working over 1 row and under 1 row.

Work parallel running stitches in the same way, 5 sts in from the two rows just worked. The Brown ‘scales’ embroidery is worked with a single strand between each pair of lines of running stitch. Each diagonal is worked over 2 sts and 2 rows, with a central stitch the width of 1 st joining each pair of diagonals.

Weave in ends. Don’t block the surface decoration, to avoid squashing the embroidery.