Oval Picot Placemat and Table Runner Crochet Pattern: A Complete Guide to Creating Elegant Table Décor

There is something deeply satisfying about sitting down at a table dressed with handmade linens. The texture, the care, the creativity — all of it communicates warmth before a single dish is served. If you have been searching for a crochet pattern that is both elegant and approachable, the oval picot placemat and table runner design is exactly what you need. With its timeless shape, delicate picot edging, and versatile style, this pattern works beautifully for everyday dining, holiday gatherings, and everything in between.

This complete guide will walk you through everything: the materials you need, stitch explanations, the full pattern for both a placemat and a coordinating table runner, helpful tips for blocking and finishing, and ideas for customizing the design to suit your own home. Whether you are an intermediate crocheter looking for a satisfying weekend project or someone returning to the craft after a long break, this pattern is designed to be clear, enjoyable, and rewarding from start to finish.

Why Oval is the Perfect Shape for Table Linens

Rectangular placemats have their place, but the oval shape offers something special. It softens the look of a table setting, plays nicely with both round and rectangular tables, and provides a generous surface area that accommodates a full place setting without overwhelming the table visually. The curved edges also give you more to work with creatively — those flowing lines are where the picot border truly shines.

Oval crochet is built from a foundation chain with stitches worked on both sides, creating a natural elliptical shape that grows outward round by round. Once you understand the mechanics of working an oval, you will find yourself using the technique for everything from bags to pot holders. The placemat is a perfect introduction because it is flat, portable, and finished quickly enough to keep you motivated.

Materials and Tools

Before you begin, gather your supplies. Having everything on hand before you start makes the process smoother and prevents frustrating mid-project interruptions.

Yarn: For a clean, durable placemat that launders well, choose a 100% cotton yarn in a worsted weight (size 4) or a lighter DK weight (size 3) if you prefer a more refined, lacy look. Cotton holds its shape after washing, resists staining better than many synthetic fibers, and gives the picot edging a crisp definition that acrylic yarn simply cannot match. Some excellent choices include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK, or Drops Safran. You will need approximately 150–200 yards per placemat and around 500–600 yards for a standard table runner measuring approximately 13 by 36 inches.

Hook: A 4.0mm (G/6) hook is ideal for worsted cotton and will give you a firm, even fabric. If you are working with DK weight, drop to a 3.5mm (E/4) hook. As always, your gauge may differ slightly from the pattern, so make a small swatch before committing to the full project.

Additional supplies: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers to track your rounds, and a spray bottle with water for blocking. An ironing board and pressing cloth are helpful if you want a particularly crisp finish.

Gauge and Sizing

For the worsted weight version using a 4.0mm hook: 16 double crochet stitches and 8 rows equal approximately 4 inches in a standard double crochet fabric.

The finished placemat measures approximately 12 inches wide by 16 inches long. The table runner measures approximately 13 inches wide by 36 inches long (or longer, depending on how many oval repeat sections you add).

Gauge is not critical for this project since you are not fitting the fabric to a body or a specific container. However, if your gauge is very loose, your placemat will be larger and more floppy. If it is very tight, it may feel stiff. Aim for a fabric that drapes slightly but holds its shape flat on the table.

Stitches and Abbreviations Used

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here is a quick reference for every stitch and abbreviation you will encounter.

ch — chain stitch. The foundation of most crochet. Yarn over, pull through loop on hook.

sl st — slip stitch. Insert hook, yarn over, pull through both loops. Used to join rounds.

sc — single crochet. Insert hook, yarn over, pull through fabric, yarn over, pull through both loops.

hdc — half double crochet. Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull through fabric, yarn over, pull through all three loops.

dc — double crochet. Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull through fabric, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.

picot — A decorative loop made by chaining 3 (or 4 for a more pronounced picot), then slip stitching into the first chain made or into the base stitch. This creates a small, rounded petal-like bump along the edge.

MR — magic ring. An adjustable loop that closes up tightly at the center of your work. Ideal for oval starts to avoid a visible hole.

blo — back loop only. Working into only the back loop of a stitch creates a ridge or texture effect.

sk — skip. Skip the indicated stitch or number of stitches.

sp — space. Work into the space (gap) created by a chain rather than into a stitch.

rep — repeat. Repeat the bracketed or indicated section.

rnd — round.

Understanding the Oval Foundation

An oval begins with a foundation chain. Unlike a circle that starts at the center with a magic ring, an oval starts with a chain of a specific length, and you work stitches down one long side, around one short end, back up the other long side, and around the other short end to complete the first round.

For a 12 by 16 inch placemat, chain 25. This establishes the length differential between the width and the length. From round 2 onward, you increase at both short ends of the oval in a pattern similar to how you increase at the sides of a circle to keep the fabric flat.

The key to a flat oval is placing the right number of increases at each end. Too few and your edges will cup upward; too many and they will ruffle outward. The pattern below has been tested for flatness, but if you notice either problem developing, add or remove one increase at each end and continue.

The Full Placemat Pattern

Foundation: Ch 25. Do not join.

Round 1: Starting in the 2nd ch from hook, work 1 dc in each of the next 23 ch. In the last ch, work 5 dc (this turns the corner at one short end). Now rotate your work and work 1 dc in each of the 23 free loops along the other side of the foundation chain. In the first ch (the one you started in), work 4 dc (this turns the other short end). Sl st to the top of the first dc to join. (54 dc total)

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc throughout). Dc in each of the next 22 sts. In the corner section: 2 dc in each of the next 5 sts. Dc in each of the next 22 sts. In the remaining corner: 2 dc in each of the next 4 sts. Sl st to top of ch-3 to join. (64 dc total)

Round 3: Ch 3. Dc in each of the next 22 sts. 2 dc in next st, dc in next st — repeat 5 times across the corner. Dc in each of the next 22 sts. 2 dc in next st, dc in next st — repeat 4 times across the remaining corner. Sl st to join. (73 dc total)

Round 4: Ch 3. Dc in each of the next 22 sts. 2 dc in next st, dc in each of the next 2 sts — repeat 5 times. Dc in each of the next 22 sts. 2 dc in next st, dc in each of the next 2 sts — repeat 4 times. Sl st to join. (82 dc total)

Round 5: Ch 3. Dc in each of the next 22 sts. 2 dc in next st, dc in each of the next 3 sts — repeat 5 times. Dc in each of the next 22 sts. 2 dc in next st, dc in each of the next 3 sts — repeat 4 times. Sl st to join. (91 dc total)

Continue this pattern, adding one more dc between increases at each end with every round, until your oval reaches the desired size. For a 12 by 16 inch placemat, you will work approximately 6 to 7 rounds of dc before you are ready for the picot border. Try the oval against a dinner plate or placemat for reference as you go.

The Picot Border

The picot border is what elevates this placemat from a simple flat circle to something genuinely beautiful. The small looped bumps along the outer edge catch the light, frame the piece, and give it a finished, heirloom quality.

Picot Border Round: Do not turn. Working into the last round of dc stitches, begin at any point and work as follows, moving continuously around the oval:

Sc in next st, sc in next st, (ch 3, sl st into the first of these 3 chs — picot made), sc in next st — repeat this sequence all the way around the oval, adjusting spacing slightly at the curved ends to keep the fabric flat. If you find the edge pulling, add one extra sc between picots on the ends. Sl st to the first sc to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

The picot is formed every three stitches on the straight sections and every three to four stitches on the curved ends. The result is a delicate scalloped look that photographs beautifully and feels refined against a tabletop.

The Table Runner Pattern

The table runner uses the same oval construction and the same picot border, but on a much larger scale. Instead of a single oval, you build a longer oval by starting with a longer foundation chain.

Foundation: Ch 115. This gives you the elongated base for a runner measuring approximately 36 inches long.

Work all rounds exactly as described in the placemat pattern, increasing at both short ends with the same formula while working straight double crochet along the long sides. The long sides will remain at roughly the same number of stitches per round (growing only slightly as the oval expands outward), while the short ends accumulate the increases each round.

Work 6 to 8 rounds of double crochet, checking periodically that the runner lies flat. Finish with the same picot border as the placemat. The coordinated edging ties the two pieces together beautifully if you are making a matched set.

For a longer runner, simply increase your starting foundation chain by increments of 10 stitches. A ch 135 foundation will give you approximately a 44-inch runner; a ch 155 foundation yields something close to 52 inches.

Blocking Your Finished Pieces

Blocking is the single most transformative step you can take with cotton crochet. Even a slightly uneven oval will look polished and professional after blocking, and the picot border will open up and show its full detail.

To wet block, submerge your finished placemat or runner in room temperature water and gently press out the excess water without wringing or twisting the fabric. Lay the piece on a blocking mat or a thick towel, and use rust-proof pins to stretch and shape it to your desired dimensions. Pay particular attention to the picot edge, coaxing each small loop to stand out clearly. Allow to dry completely — usually overnight — before removing the pins.

If you prefer a quicker method, mist the piece lightly with water from a spray bottle, pat it into shape on the mat, and press gently with a warm iron through a pressing cloth. Never place a hot iron directly on cotton crochet, as this can flatten the texture and damage the fibers.

Yarn Color and Customization Ideas

One of the greatest pleasures of making your own table linens is choosing colors that suit your home perfectly. Classic white and natural ecru are timeless options that work with any dish pattern and table color. Soft sage green or dusty blue creates a relaxed, organic feel perfect for a farmhouse or cottage dining room. Rich jewel tones like burgundy, navy, or forest green bring a formal, celebratory energy to a holiday table.

For the table runner specifically, consider working in a variegated cotton yarn. The subtle color shifts create visual interest across the long surface without requiring any color changes or joins.

You can also add a second color to the picot border only, using a contrasting shade for the edging round to create a defined outline around each piece. Simply join a new color at the beginning of the picot round and proceed as usual. This two-tone approach is especially striking in white body yarn with a contrast picot in dusty rose or terracotta.

If you want to add more texture to the body of the placemat, try substituting the double crochet rounds with a shell stitch or a simple basketweave variation. Keep the oval construction formula the same and simply swap the stitch pattern within each round.

Care Instructions

Cotton crochet table linens are wonderfully practical because they machine wash well. Use a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent. Avoid bleach on colored yarns, though oxygen-based brighteners are generally safe for white cotton. Lay flat to dry or tumble dry on a low setting. Re-blocking after washing will keep your pieces looking their best over time, though after the first few washes the cotton tends to relax into shape naturally.

Store your placemats flat or rolled (never folded for extended periods), as sharp fold lines can be difficult to press out of cotton.

Making a Set: Tips for Consistency

If you are making a full set of six or eight placemats plus a table runner, consistency between pieces is important. Use the same hook throughout, and try to crochet your foundation chains with the same tension each time. If your tension varies between sessions — common when crocheting at different times of day or in different moods — consider making a small note of roughly how tight your chains felt and try to replicate it.

Winding all your yarn into cakes before starting allows you to estimate yardage used per placemat, making it easy to predict whether you have enough for the full set before you run short mid-project.

Final Thoughts

The oval picot placemat and table runner crochet pattern is the kind of project that earns its place in your permanent rotation. It works up quickly enough to be satisfying, but the finished result looks far more intricate and refined than the time invested. The combination of a structured oval construction with a whimsical, lace-like picot border hits a perfect balance between elegance and approachability.

Whether you are making a set for your own dining room, gifting a runner to a friend who just moved into a new home, or contributing to a craft fair table, these pieces will be noticed and appreciated. There is a particular joy in knowing that the beautiful thing someone reaches across at dinner was made by your own hands, stitch by careful stitch.

Pin this pattern, share it with your crochet group, and come back to it season after season — it is the kind of pattern that feels different every time you make it in a new color.