Nordic Reindeer Table Runner Pattern

Info :

This pattern uses a compact 3-dc cluster stitch to create a dense, textured fabric ideal for table runners. Clusters are worked into chain spaces or between clusters of the previous row. The pattern is worked flat in horizontal rows (back-and-forth), changing colors as noted to form stranded motifs (carry unused yarn loosely across the WS or catch inside clusters to minimize floats). The sample runner measures approximately 12 x 44 inches; adjust foundation chain to lengthen or shorten.

Gauge :

Gauge is not critical for pattern repeat, but for reference 10 clusters x 10 rows = approx 4 inches in width and height when worked with worsted yarn and 4.0mm hook. Adjust hook size if necessary to achieve desired fabric density.

Round 1 :

Chain 193 (this creates a base to make 48 cluster repeats across: each 4-ch group equals one cluster space; 48 x 4 = 192 + 1 turning chain = 193)

Info :

Check your chain for even tension; 193 chains is required to line up the motif grid used in this pattern. If you want a wider runner, add multiples of 4 to your foundation chain to keep the cluster grid aligned.

Round 2 (RS) :

Starting in 4th ch from hook, work: [3 dc in same ch, ch 1, skip next 3 ch] across to last ch, end with 3 dc in final ch. Turn. (48 clusters)

Info :

Explanation of 3-dc cluster: Yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over and pull through two loops; repeat twice more to have 4 loops on hook; yarn over and pull through all loops to close the cluster. After each cluster, ch 1 to separate clusters and keep fabric even.

Round 3 (WS) :

Ch 3 (counts as first dc), *3 dc cluster into ch-1 space of previous row, ch 1; rep from * across, end with dc in top of turning ch-3. Turn. (48 clusters)

Info :

From here on, you will work clusters into the ch-1 spaces between clusters of the row below. Use a stitch marker at the first ch-1 space at the beginning of the row to help keep track of stitch placement, especially in colorwork rows.

Round 4 :

Repeat Round 3 across in Cream. (48 clusters)

Round 5 :

Repeat Round 3 across in Cream. (48 clusters)

Info :

Work several even rows in cream to establish the stable background before starting motifs. Keep tension relaxed when carrying colors across the wrong side—floats should not be pulled tight.

Round 6 :

Repeat Round 3 across in Cream. (48 clusters)

Round 7 :

Repeat Round 3 across in Cream. (48 clusters)

Round 8 :

Repeat Round 3 across in Cream. (48 clusters)

Info :

Rows 4-8 make a clean field. Place a removable stitch marker at the right edge of Row 8 RS to mark the bottom of your first motif band. This helps align motifs vertically when repeating.

Round 9 (motif start - RS) :

Change to Red at RS before starting the first cluster: Ch 3, work 48 clusters across following motif chart mapping (work clusters in red where the reindeer body is, otherwise work clusters in cream). For this row, clusters 9-34 will be red to form the base of the first reindeer body; other clusters remain Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Info :

When changing color, drop cream yarn and pick up red in the final yarn-over of the previous dc so the color change is secure. Carry the unused color along the WS and catch every 4-6 stitches to avoid long floats. The exact cluster numbers correspond to the chart mapping and will be repeated across motif rows to create the reindeer silhouette.

Round 10 :

Ch 3. Work clusters across, changing colors as follows: clusters 8-35 in Red, clusters outside this range in Cream; small green accent clusters at positions 6-7 and 36-37 for tiny detail. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 11 :

Ch 3. Work clusters across, forming the reindeer chest and belly: clusters 7-36 in Red, remaining clusters in Cream. Add a single Green cluster at cluster 24 to start antler base. Turn. (48 clusters)

Info :

Colorwork mapping note: The reindeer motif is 8 clusters wide and up to 12 rows tall depending on the section; the runner shows three large reindeer panels spaced evenly. I recommend marking cluster numbers on a scrap paper aligned to 1-48 to follow color changes easily row-by-row.

Round 12 :

Ch 3. Continue motif shaping: clusters 6-37 in Red; small green cluster accents appear at clusters 20 and 28. Outside clusters in Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 13 :

Ch 3. Narrow reindeer top: clusters 8-34 in Red; small Green clusters at 22 and 26 for saddle-like decorative spots. Other clusters in Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 14 :

Ch 3. Antlers & neck detail: clusters 10-32 primarily Red, with Green stitches at 12 and 30 to define tiny decorations. Clusters 4-6 and 42-45 remain Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Info :

This cluster-by-cluster colorwork forms the reindeer silhouette. Keep track of cluster numbers each row and use a removable marker at the beginning and end of the motif band. If you prefer, use duplicate stitch later for small accent dots rather than carrying green across many rows.

Round 15 :

Ch 3. Work clusters across: Red primarily for the central motif clusters 9-33, Cream elsewhere. Add tiny Green star-like accents at clusters 2, 24, and 47 for surrounding details. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 16 :

Ch 3. Return to Cream background across the full width to frame motif: all clusters in Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 17 :

Ch 3. Work 48 clusters in Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Info :

After completing the reindeer segment, work a few even Cream rows to separate bands. This creates breathing space and a decorative dentil line that keeps each motif distinct.

Round 18 :

Ch 3. 48 clusters in Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 19 (decorative band) :

Ch 3. Work clusters creating small red diamond accents: every 6th cluster work in Red (clusters 6,12,18,24,30,36,42,48). Other clusters in Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 20 :

Ch 3. All clusters in Cream, except clusters 6,12,18,30,36 in Green to create alternating tiny accent points below the reindeer band. Turn. (48 clusters)

Info :

This 2-row decorative band repeats between the major motifs along the runner. The positions chosen create a subtle dotted visual border inside the main border lines.

Round 21 :

Ch 3. 48 clusters in Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 22 :

Ch 3. 48 clusters in Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 23 (star/flake motif start) :

Change to Green on RS: Ch 3. Work clusters with Green forming the center of the star: clusters 12-16 and 32-36 in Green (these will be mirrored into a large stylized star). Remaining clusters in Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 24 :

Ch 3. Continue star shaping: clusters 10-18 and 30-38 remain Green to expand the star arms; other clusters in Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 25 :

Ch 3. Narrow the star: clusters 12-16 and 32-36 in Green; surrounding clusters in Cream to define points. Turn. (48 clusters)

Info :

The snowflake/star section is worked over 6-8 rows to create a blocky, geometric motif that reads well in cluster stitch. Keep color changes tidy and avoid long floats—if a green float will pass more than 6 clusters on the wrong side, cut and rejoin to avoid bulk.

Round 26 :

Ch 3. Work clusters in Cream across to frame the star. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 27 :

Ch 3. 48 clusters in Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 28 (repeat band) :

Repeat the decorative band sequence from Rounds 19-22: Row 19 diamond accents in Red, Row 20 mixed cream/green dots, Row 21-22 full Cream separation. Turn after each row. (48 clusters)

Info :

Technique Tip :

For fast color changes, drop the old color and pick up the new in the final yarn-over of the last stitch worked in the old color; carry the non-working yarn loosely on the WS and interlock every 4-6 stitches to secure floats. This avoids too many woven ends at the end of your runner.

Round 29-36 :

Repeat the sequence of rows creating the next reindeer motif as described in Rounds 9-16: red reindeer shaping across rows 29-35, with separation rows in Cream on 36. Maintain cluster counts: (48 clusters each row).

Info :

When repeating motif bands, maintain the same cluster indices for the red and green placements. If you wish to create mirrored reindeer (facing the opposite way), mirror the cluster numbers left-right by subtracting the cluster index from 49 (e.g., cluster 9 becomes 40).

Round 37-44 :

Repeat the star/snowflake motif rows (R23-26) in the same cluster positions. Insert cream separation rows on the outer edges as previously described. (48 clusters each row)

Info :

At this point you've completed two major motif sets (reindeer + star). Continue the same banding to produce the central reindeer band (third reindeer) centered in the runner. The runner in the photo shows three reindeer separated by star motifs and decorative bands—repeat until you reach desired length or until you have repeated three full sets, resulting in approx 40-44 rows per motif set region.

Round 45-60 :

Work the center reindeer motif set following the same cluster-number pattern used for the previous reindeer bands (see Rounds 9-16 and 29-36). Take care with antler and hoof placements; these rows will contain the greatest number of red clusters. Each row remains (48 clusters).

Info :

Use removable markers or a printed cluster map to track cluster numbers across each row. It is helpful to number 1-48 along a scrap of paper and check off clusters row-by-row as you change color to avoid accidental shifts. Pause after each motif to weave in short floats and tidy ends for a cleaner WS.

Round 61-72 :

Work two more repetitions of star and reindeer bands as needed to match the runner length in the image (approximately three reindeer panels with star separators). Insert 2-4 Cream rows between sections for breathing space. All rows remain 48 clusters. (48 clusters each row)

Round 73 :

Ch 3. Work 48 clusters in Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 74 :

Ch 3. Work 48 clusters in Cream. Turn. (48 clusters)

Info :

When you reach the final motif set, stop once you have completed the last reindeer and separated it with 2-4 Cream rows. The runner in the photo finishes with a star motif band then a decorative bobble-edge band before the border; emulate that by working Rows 75-76 as follows.

Round 75 (decorative bobble band) :

Ch 3. Work clusters across with an alternating bobble impression: for every 3rd cluster, work a puff/bobble in Cream (or a tightly worked 3-dc cluster to mimic bobble). Alternate with Red single clusters at positions 6,12,18,24,30,36,42,48. Turn. (48 clusters)

Round 76 :

Ch 3. Work all clusters in Cream to frame the bobble band. Turn. (48 clusters)

Info :

At this stage the main field is complete. We will now work the border which frames the entire runner and gives the rounded corners seen in the photos.

Round 77 (Border Setup RS) :

Using Red, ch 1 at RS, work sc evenly across the first row of clusters: Work 1 sc in top of each cluster across (48 sc). At the end of the row, ch 2 and work 1 sc into the side of the last cluster to begin turning corner. Continue working sc down the long side edges placing 1 sc in each cluster side, around corner chains and up the other long side until you reach the starting point. Do not join; turn work to prepare for next round. (perimeter sc count will be approx 48 + sides)

Info :

The border starts with a tidy single crochet round to square off the edges. Work evenly and place additional sc in the corners to achieve a gentle rounded look. For neat corners, place 3 sc in the corner turning chain/space.

Round 78 (BLO Ridge) :

Ch 2 (counts as hdc), work hdc in BLO across each sc around to create a subtle ridge (this will be worked continuously around the perimeter; place 2 hdc in each corner space). This round creates a defined inner frame and helps the bobble border sit neatly. Turn as needed. (perimeter hdc)

Info :

Working BLO here creates a raised inner ridge that echoes the cluster texture and allows the outer bobble rows to sit higher and more defined. Count carefully around corners to maintain even shape.

Round 79 (Bobble Border Row 1) :

Change to Cream: ch 3, *skip 1 sc, bobble in next st (work 5 partial dc loops and draw through all - puff-style), ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next sc; rep from * around, working 3 sc in corners to round smoothly. Slip stitch to join. This makes the alternating cream bobble dotted line seen against the red border. (perimeter pattern)

Round 80 (Bobble Border Row 2)