The Story Behind This Design
I call this one the "Maple Scatter" in my notebooks. It started about three years ago when I was sketching table runner ideas during a particularly gorgeous October. My neighbor had this massive sugar maple in her front yard, and every morning I would watch the leaves drift down onto her porch in these perfect little piles of rust, gold, and burnt orange.
I wanted to capture that exact feeling. Not just autumn colors, but that specific moment when leaves seem to arrange themselves artfully around the edges of things. Like nature is decorating for you. So I grabbed my sketchbook and drew a simple rectangle with leaves tumbling around its border, tips pointing outward like they had just landed there.
This pattern sat in a drawer until last fall when I finally worked out the construction method. The center is an airy filet mesh that lets your table peek through, and the border is a collection of individually crocheted maple leaf motifs in three warm shades. The combination of open lacework and dense textured leaves gives it this beautiful dimensional quality. I am genuinely thrilled with how it turned out, and I think you will be too.
What You Will Create
This table runner features a rectangular filet mesh center worked in natural cream yarn. The mesh creates an open, breathable texture that contrasts beautifully with the lush border of maple leaf motifs surrounding it. Those leaves come in three autumn shades: burnt sienna, golden amber, and deep rust orange. They are arranged with their tips pointing outward, creating a layered effect that looks like scattered fallen foliage.
The finished piece measures approximately 14 inches wide by 36 inches long, including the leaf border. The center mesh panel alone measures about 8 inches wide by 28 inches long. Each leaf motif extends roughly 3 inches outward from the mesh edge.
This runner works beautifully for everyday use or special holiday table settings. It lies completely flat and makes a stunning centerpiece for Thanksgiving gatherings.
Skill Level
This pattern is rated intermediate. You should be comfortable working filet mesh, which involves chain spaces and double crochet stitches in a grid pattern. You will also need to join motifs and follow multi-step special stitches for the maple leaf construction.
Nothing here is technically advanced. But the leaf motif does require attention to shaping and working into specific chain spaces. The good news is that once you master one leaf, the rest are repetitive and straightforward.
Time Estimate
Plan for approximately 18 to 25 hours total to complete this project:
I recommend making the leaves while watching your favorite shows. They are perfect portable projects.
Materials You Will Need
Yarn
Main Color (MC): Natural cream cotton yarn, approximately 220 yards (200 m). Use a smooth, tightly spun worsted weight or DK weight cotton for the best stitch definition in the mesh.
Color A (CA): Burnt sienna, approximately 130 yards (119 m)
Color B (CB): Golden amber, approximately 130 yards (119 m)
Color C (CC): Deep rust orange, approximately 130 yards (119 m)
Total yardage: Approximately 610 yards (558 m)
Hook
US size G-6 (4.0 mm) for both the center mesh panel and leaf motifs. Adjust your hook size as needed to meet gauge.
Notions
Yarn Suggestions
Option 1: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Ecru (MC), Burnt Orange (CA), Goldenrod (CB), and Terracotta (CC). This yarn has excellent stitch definition, is machine washable, and holds its shape well after blocking.
Option 2: Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in Champagne White (MC), Mandarin Orange (CA), Daffodil Yellow (CB), and Russet (CC). This runs slightly thinner, so check your gauge carefully.
Option 3: WeCrochet Dishie in Almond (MC), Serrano (CA), Canary (CB), and Adobe (CC). A smooth mercerized cotton with a subtle sheen.
Substitution Note: Use any smooth DK to light worsted cotton or cotton blend. Avoid fuzzy or loosely spun fibers because they will obscure the mesh pattern and leaf details.
Gauge
Center Mesh Panel: 18 stitches and 9 rows equals 4 inches (10 cm) in filet mesh pattern, blocked
Leaf Motif: One completed maple leaf measures approximately 3 inches wide by 3 inches tall, blocked
Gauge matters here for achieving the correct finished dimensions. Make a swatch before starting and adjust your hook size up or down by 0.25 mm increments until your measurements match.
Abbreviations
Special Stitches
Filet Mesh Square (FMS): This is your basic open filet unit. Work 1 dc, ch 1, skip 1 stitch or chain space, 1 dc. When working across established rows, your dc posts anchor into the top of dc stitches from the previous row, and the ch-1 skips over the ch-1 space below.
Picot: Ch 3, sl st into the 3rd chain from the hook. This creates a small decorative knot used at leaf tips.
Puff Stitch: (Yo, insert hook into indicated stitch, yo, pull up a loop) 3 times in the same stitch, yo, draw through all 7 loops on hook. Creates a raised bump suggesting leaf vein texture.
Pattern Notes Before You Begin
1. The center mesh panel is worked back and forth in rows. Chain 3 at the beginning of each row counts as the first dc throughout.
2. Each filet mesh row begins with ch 4 (counts as dc plus ch 1), then works across in the FMS pattern.
3. You will crochet approximately 52 leaf motifs separately: 14 along each long side, 7 along each short side, with slight overlap at corners.
4. Leaves attach after the center panel is complete. They are sewn through their base to the outermost row of the mesh border.
5. Alternate leaf colors in a repeating sequence of CA, CB, CC around the entire border for the tri-color autumn effect.
6. Block both the center panel and each leaf motif individually before assembly for the flattest results.
Center Mesh Panel Instructions
Foundation Chain: Using MC and G-6 hook, ch 128.
Row 1 (RS): Dc into 4th ch from hook (beginning ch-3 counts as first dc), (ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc into next ch) across. Turn. (63 filet mesh squares, 64 dc posts total)
To count more easily, you should have 64 dc posts with 63 ch-1 spaces between them for a total mesh row width of 127 working stitches plus the turning chain.
Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc plus ch 1), turn. Sk first ch-sp, dc into next dc, (ch 1, sk ch-sp, dc into next dc) across, ending with dc into top of turning ch. Turn. (63 FMS)
Rows 3 through 55: Rep Row 2. Turn at end of each row.
After completing Row 55, your mesh panel should measure approximately 8 inches wide and 28 inches long after blocking.
Checkpoint: If your panel is narrower than 7.5 inches or wider than 8.5 inches before blocking, recheck your gauge.
Border Joining Round
Do not fasten off MC after Row 55.
This round works single crochet evenly around all four sides of the mesh panel, creating a neat edge for attaching leaves.
Round 1: Ch 1, do not turn. Work sc evenly around the entire perimeter as follows:
Along the top edge (Row 55): Work 1 sc into each dc post and 1 sc into each ch-sp across. (127 sc)
Corner: Work 3 sc into the corner stitch. (3 sc)
Along the right long side: Work 2 sc into the side of each dc row. With 55 rows, work 110 sc evenly along the long edge. (110 sc)
Corner: Work 3 sc into corner stitch. (3 sc)
Along the bottom (foundation chain edge): Work 1 sc into each foundation chain across. (127 sc)
Corner: Work 3 sc into corner. (3 sc)
Along the left long side: Work 110 sc evenly along the edge, matching the right side. (110 sc)
Corner: Work 3 sc into corner. (3 sc)
Sl st to join to first sc. Fasten off MC. Weave in end.
Checkpoint: Place stitch markers at the four corner center stitches (the middle stitch of each 3-sc corner group) before proceeding to leaf assembly.
Maple Leaf Motif Instructions
Make 52 total: 18 in CA (burnt sienna), 17 in CB (golden amber), 17 in CC (deep rust orange).
Each leaf is worked from the center outward, creating five lobes radiating from a central point.
Simplified Maple Leaf Construction
Foundation: Ch 4. Sl st to first ch to form a small ring (or use a magic ring).
Round 1: Ch 1. Work 8 sc into ring. Sl st to first sc to join. (8 sc)
This ring forms the base attachment point of the leaf.
Round 2 (Stem): Ch 5. This is the stem. Work back along the stem: sl st into 2nd ch from hook, sl st into each of next 3 chs. Sl st into the ring to rejoin.
Now work the five lobes directly from the ring.
Lobe 1 (Lower Right)
Ch 9. Turn.
Row 1: Dc into 4th ch from hook, dc into next 2 chs, hdc into next ch, sc into next ch, sl st into last ch before ring. (5 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, 1 sl st)
Picot at tip: At the top of the 4th ch from hook (the outermost dc), join with sl st and work ch 3, sl st into base of ch 3 (picot made). Continue down the other side of the lobe: sc into side of hdc, hdc into side of first dc, dc into next 2 sides, sl st back into ring.
Lobe 2 (Lower Left)
Rep Lobe 1 on the opposite side of the ring. (Mirror image)
Lobe 3 (Middle Right)
Ch 11. Turn.
Row 1: Dc into 4th ch from hook, dc into next 4 chs, hdc into next ch, sc into next ch, sl st into ch before ring. (7 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, 1 sl st)
Picot at tip. Work back down second side as for Lobe 1. Sl st into ring.
Lobe 4 (Middle Left)
Rep Lobe 3 mirrored.
Lobe 5 (Top Center)
Ch 13. Turn.
Row 1: Dc into 4th ch from hook, dc into next 6 chs, hdc into next ch, sc into next ch, sl st into ch before ring. (9 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, 1 sl st)
Picot at tip. Work back down second side. Sl st into ring.
Final Edging: Join MC with sl st at any point on the ring. Work 1 sc into each st around the ring to neaten. Sl st to join. Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch tail for sewing.
Checkpoint: Each completed and blocked leaf should measure approximately 3 inches wide and 3 inches tall. Make one leaf, block it, and compare to gauge before making all 52.
Size Customization Tips
For a shorter runner: Reduce the foundation chain by 18 stitches for every 4 inches you wish to remove. Reduce leaves proportionally: approximately 4 to 5 fewer per long side for every 4 inches removed.
For a longer runner: Add 18 stitches to the foundation chain for every 4 inches of additional length. Add 4 to 5 leaves per long side per 4 inches added.
For a wider runner: Add stitches in multiples of 2. Add one leaf per side per 3 additional stitches of width.
Finishing and Blocking
Step 1: Weave in all ends on both the center mesh panel and each individual leaf before blocking.
Step 2: Wet block the center mesh panel. Submerge in cool water, gently press out excess moisture in a towel, pin to blocking mat to finished dimensions of 8 by 28 inches, and allow to dry completely.
Step 3: Block each leaf motif individually. Pin with all five lobe tips extended outward.
Step 4: Lay the blocked center panel right side up. Beginning at one short end, pin leaves evenly around the perimeter with each leaf base against the sc border. Alternate colors: CA, CB, CC repeating. At corners, allow two leaves to overlap slightly.
Step 5: Pin all 52 leaves before sewing any. Step back and check spacing.
Step 6: Using the yarn tails, sew each leaf base securely to the border with whip stitch. Tack the lower lobe bases lightly to prevent flipping.
Step 7: Weave in all remaining tails. Give the runner a light steam if needed.
Care Instructions
Machine wash on gentle cycle in cool water using a mesh laundry bag. Use mild detergent. Lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry, wring, or bleach. Store flat or rolled, never folded.
You Did It!
This Autumn Rust Maple Leaf Table Runner pattern combines classic filet crochet technique with charming dimensional leaf motifs for a truly special seasonal piece. The contrast between the airy mesh center and the textured leaf border creates visual interest that makes this runner a conversation starter at any gathering.
Thank you so much for choosing this pattern. I hope you love making it as much as I loved designing it. If you create one, I would absolutely love to see your work! Share your photos on Instagram or Facebook and tag me so I can celebrate with you.
If you loved this autumn maple leaf table runner crochet pattern, go ahead and pin it to your Pinterest boards so you can find it when you are ready to start. And if you make one, please drop a comment below. I read every single one, and seeing your finished projects truly makes my day.
