Christmas is almost here, but there are still a few days left to crochet this fun Gingerbread Man Table Runner. It is quite quick and easy to make using filet crochet technique, so this is an excellent project to learn or practice that. Be sure to watch my video tutorial where I show my tips for counting stitches when doing filet crochet. And if you haven’t tried this before, you will also learn to crochet the beautiful Candy Cane border for this table runner, which is also easy, just chains and single crochet stitches with two colors of thread. It’s so fun to see the red and white candy canes forming, just give this technique some practice and patience, and you will love the result!
WHAT IS FILET CROCHET?
Filet means ‘net’ or ‘mesh’ in French. Using just chains and double crochet stitches and following the image chart it’s easy to do. You will find the Gingerbread Man chart below in the written pattern section.
Filet crochet consists of two types of blocks or squares making up the grid: open blocks are made with two chains and one double crochet, and solid blocks are made with three double crochet stitches. The first block on each row starts with additional double crochet but from there it’s either ch2+dc (open) or dc3 (solid).
BLOCKING TABLE RUNNER
The table runner definitely needs blocking after you finish it. I usually make the piece wet, stretch it out on blocking mats and attach it with pins. I also spray some starch to give it extra firm shape. Let it dry completely before removing the pins.
VIDEO TUTORIAL OF GINGERBREAD MAN TABLE RUNNER
WRITTEN PATTERN OF GINGERBREAD MAN TABLE RUNNER
If you prefer ad-free printable PDF pattern, you can get it on:
I use Golo crochet thread size 10 brown (color A), red (color B) and white (color C). One Golo thread ball has 250 yards and you will need about 280 yards to crochet two gingerbread men, plus about 59 yards for the border. Crochet hook is size 1.75 mm. My table runner measures about inches long and inches wide.
Abbreviations: ch = chain dc = double crochet beg = beginning sl st = slip stitch sc = single crochet Pattern notes: 1. With symmetrical pattern like the Gingerbread Man you can read the chart either from left to right or right to left, the count of blocks will be the same. 2. If you want to make the table runner with 2 guys in opposite directions like mine, then after finishing row 43 turn your graph upside down and repeat rows 40 to 1 (in that order).
- With color A ch 101.
- Row 1 = dc in 8th ch from the hook (=beg open block), *ch 2, skip 2 ch, dc in next ch, repeat from* (32 open blocks).
- Row 2 = ch 5 and turn, dc in next dc (=beg open block), *ch 2 and dc in next dc, repeat from*, finish the row with last dc in 3rd ch from st (32 open blocks).
- Row 3 = repeat row 2.
- Row 4 = 8 open blocks: ch 5 and turn, dc in next dc (=beg open block), (ch 2 and dc in next dc) 7 times, next 4 solid blocks: (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) 4 times, next 8 open blocks: (ch 2 and dc in next dc) 8 times, next 4 solid blocks: (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) 4 times, next 8 open blocks: *ch 2 and dc in next dc, repeat from*, finish the row with last dc in 3rd ch of beg 5-ch.
- Row 5 = 7 open blocks: ch 5 and turn, dc in next dc (=beg open block), (ch 2 and dc in next dc) 6 times, next 6 solid blocks: dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), dc in each next 12 dc (=4 solid blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), next 6 open blocks: (ch 2 and dc in next dc) 6 times, next 6 solid blocks: dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), dc in each next 12 dc (=4 solid blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), next 7 open blocks: *ch 2 and dc in next dc, repeat from*, finish the row with last dc in 3rd ch of beg 5-ch.
- Row 6 = 6 open blocks: ch 5 and turn, dc in next dc (=beg open block), (ch 2 and dc in next dc) 5 times, next 4 solid blocks: dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), dc in each next 9 dc (=3 solid blocks), next 2 open blocks: (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) twice, next 2 solid blocks: dc in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), next 4 open blocks: (ch 2 and dc in next dc) 4 times, next 2 solid blocks: dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), dc in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), next 2 open blocks: (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) twice, next 4 solid blocks: dc in each next 9 dc (=3 solid blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), next 6 open blocks: *ch 2 and dc in next dc, repeat from*, finish the row with last dc in 3rd ch of beg 5-ch.
- Row 7 = 5 open blocks: ch 5 and turn, dc in next dc (=beg open block), (ch 2 and dc in next dc) 4 times, next 4 solid blocks: dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), dc in each next 9 dc (=3 solid blocks), next 2 open blocks: ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=1 open block), ch 2 and dc in next dc (=1 open block), next 3 solid blocks: dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), dc in each next 6 dc (=2 solid blocks), next 4 open blocks: (ch 2 and dc in next dc) 4 times, next 3 solid blocks: dc in each next 6 dc (=2 solid blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), next 2 open blocks: ch 2 and dc in next dc (=1 open block), ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=1 open block), next 4 solid blocks: dc in each next 9 dc (=3 solid blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), next 5 open blocks: *ch 2 and dc in next dc, repeat from*, finish the row with last dc in 3rd ch of beg 5-ch.
- Row 8 = 5 open blocks: ch 5 and turn, dc in next dc (=beg open block), (ch 2 and dc in next dc) 4 times, next 3 solid blocks: dc in each next 9 dc, next 2 open blocks: ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), ch 2 and dc in next dc (=1 open block), next 5 solid blocks: dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), dc in each next 9 dc (=3 solid blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), next 2 open blocks: (ch 2 and dc in next dc) twice, next 5 solid blocks: dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), dc in each next 9 dc (=3 solid blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), next 2 open blocks: ch 2 and dc in next dc (=1 open block), ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=1 open block), next 3 solid blocks: dc in each next 9 dc, next 5 open blocks: *ch 2 and dc in next dc, repeat from*, finish the row with last dc in 3rd ch of beg 5-ch.
- Row 9 = 5 open blocks: ch 5 and turn, dc in next dc (=beg open block), (ch 2 and dc in next dc) 4 times, next 2 solid blocks: dc in each next 6 dc, next 2 open blocks: ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=1 open block), ch 2 and dc in next dc (=1 open block), next 6 solid blocks: dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), dc in each next 15 dc (=5 solid blocks), next 2 open blocks: (ch 2 and dc in next dc) twice, next 6 solid blocks: dc in each next 15 dc (=5 solid blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), next 2 open blocks: ch 2 and dc in next dc (=1 open block), ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=1 open block), next 2 solid blocks: dc in each next 6 dc, next 5 open blocks: *ch 2 and dc in next dc, repeat from*, finish the row with last dc in 3rd ch of beg 5-ch.
- Row 10 = 6 open blocks: ch 5 and turn, dc in next dc (=beg open block), (ch 2 and dc in next dc) 4 times (=4 open blocks), ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=1 open block), next solid block: dc in each next 3 dc, next open block: ch 2 and dc in next dc, next 16 solid blocks: dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), dc in each next 18 dc (=6 solid blocks), (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) twice (=2 solid blocks), dc in each next 18dc (=6 solid blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), next open block: ch 2 and dc in next dc, next solid block: dc in each next 3 dc, next 6 open blocks: ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=1 open block), *ch 2 and dc in next dc, repeat from*, finish the row with last dc in 3rd ch of beg 5-ch.
- Keep following the chart until 43 rows are completed.
- If you’d like to make a second gingerbread man in opposite direction, repeat rows 40-1.
- Cut off and fasten off color A.
CANDY CANE BORDER
- Join color B with sc in any open block space, ch 6, take hook out of loop.
- Join color C with sc in next open block space, ch 6, take hook out of loop.
- Step 1 = insert hook back in color B loop, pushing color C 6ch back a little sc in next open block space, ch 6, take hook out of loop.
- Step 2 = insert hook in color C loop, pushing color B 6ch back sc in next open block space, ch 6, take hook out of loop.
- Repeat steps 1-2.
- In each corner open block make sc+6ch three times alternating threads same way as before.
- After last 6ch with color B sl st (in front of color C) in 1st sc of color B, cut off and fasten off thread.
- After last 6ch with color C sl st (in front of color B) in 1st sc of color C, cut off and fasten off thread.
- Weave in all ends, block the table runner.
If you enjoyed crocheting this table runner, check out my other table runner crochet patterns here.
HAPPY CROCHETING!
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