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So it begins

6/11/2015

 
Hamilton Table Runner by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
One of the things I loved when we moved to the States about 20 years ago was that you could tell which month it was by looking at everyone's front gardens! In September, colourful yellow leaves festoon door wreaths and mailboxes for Labour Day, then in October white ghosts float from the trees while fake tombstones sit nestled in the long grass in celebration of Halloween.

In November, the ghosts have been replaced by garlands of red leaves and colourful gourds ready for Thanksgiving at the end of the month. Then in December, Christmas lights and berry‐laden door decorations appear. It's magical.

It's a wonderful build‐up to the end of year celebrations but more than that, the changing of the decorations gives us all a good "Heads Up!" that the Festive Season is well and truly on its way.
Hamilton Table Runner by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
So here's an idea to make your next big family event an occasion to remember: knit a brand‐new table runner! These are always an elegant way to dress up your table, whether it is a small centrepiece for a display of fruits and vegetables or a lovely long runner falling gracefully over the ends of the table‐top.

​A table runner acts to set the scene for the whole room and brings a wonderful sense of elegance and tradition to any event. Add accessories, flowers and decorations to match your colour theme and you will have the perfect setting for the day.

​
There are lots of ways to use table runners but they work especially well with wooden tables because they bring out the beauty of the wood. You can also drape them over the top of a simple tablecloth for a stunning effect or use a narrow runner on your favourite sideboard.
Elongated Diamond Pattern from Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The pattern I am featuring today is the Hamilton Table Runner which shows off a stunning stitch from our Reversible Knitting Stitches book. The stitch is called Elongated Diamond Pattern, and features long embossed diamonds set between garter stitch ridges. The pattern really catches the light and gives a wonderful sense of proportion to a table setting.

The beauty of using a reversible stitch for this design is that it will then sit so wonderfully flat. This is all about the balance of knits and purls on both sides of the fabric, and if you would like to read more about that, then please see my earlier Knitting Notes post here. ​

​The two sides have quite a different look, so if you are careful when finishing off your ends, you will be able to choose which side to have on display for your next occasion.
Hamilton Table Runner by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
I worked this runner in Knit Picks Cotlin which is a crisp cotton/linen mixture, but if you can't get hold of that then Rowan's Creative Linen would be a good alternative, or any DK cotton or cotton/linen mix with a reasonably tight twist so the stitches will pop out.

The pattern includes three sizes: The small size is 25cm/10 ins wide x 150cm/60 ins long, while the medium runner you can see in the photos above measures 33cm/13 ins x 180cm/72 ins.

For even larger tables, then the runner can also be worked in a 40cm/16 ins width, which gives a large surface for setting dishes along the length or for an impressive flower display in the centre. That size is 210cm/84 ins long, but of course you can modify the length easily to suit your table. 

The Hamilton Table Runner looks good in a variety of colourways, too. I worked one in a lovely natural linen colour a while back and it suited the overall colour scheme beautifully. If you would like to read more details about this pattern, then please click here.

For information about any of the patterns featured here or our
Reversible Knitting Stitches book, ​please click the Patterns tab above.

For more blogposts & knitting notes
​please see the index list on the right of this page ---->

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    Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
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    2025:
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    ​◌ Poppies

    2024:
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    ◌ A new website and a new scarf
    ◌ ​Knitting a lengthwise scarf​​

    2021:
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    ◌ #1: Knitting with two ends of yarn
    ​◌ #2: Using two ends of yarn for added warmth
    ​◌ #3: It's good to have options
    ​◌ #4: Blending colours with doubled yarns
    ​◌ #5: Mixing it up
    ​◌ #6: Mix n' Match sets
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    2019:
    ​◌ Slip those stitches!
    ​◌ Are you using the right needle?
    ​◌ Straightening crinkly yarn
    ​◌ Add a twist to your knitting
    ​◌ How much yarn do I need for a scarf?

    2018:
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    2016:
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    ​◌ #1: Without the ocean
    ​◌ #2: The future of colour
    ​◌ #3: Tranquility, Strength & Optimism
    ​◌ #4: In the pink
    ​◌ #5: The future looks bright

    ​◌ Reversible Knitting Stitches – A different kind of stitch book
    ​◌ Let's (half) twist again

    2015:
    ​◌ A cushion for every season
    ​◌ How long can you wait?
    ​◌ How to fill a hot water bottle
    ​◌ A rug for every room
    ​◌ So it begins
    ​◌ No time to knit him a scarf
    ​
    ​◌ A new knot for your tie

    2014:
    ... Summer Knitting Series:
    ​◌ #1: Summer knitting starts here
    ​◌ #2: Dyeing in the kitchen
    ​◌ #3: Why stop at one?
    ​◌ #4: The murmur of a cool stream
    ​◌ #5: Yarn Overs I have known
    ​◌ #6: Planning ahead
    ​◌ #7: Blanket coverage

    2013:
    ... Market Bag Knit-along:
    ​◌ #1: Pre-washing yarns
    ​◌ #2: Yarns & Gauge
    ​◌ #3: Provisional Cast-Ons
    ​◌ #4: Stitches & Selvedges
    ​◌ #5: Picking up stitches
    ​◌ #6: The Two-row SSK
    ​◌ #7: Handles & Finishing
    ​◌ #8: Adding a fabric lining to your bag

    ​◌ How long shall I make this scarf?
    ​◌ ​At the end of a row
    ​​◌ The Four-Way Wrap

    2012:
    ​◌ Either way up – Using reversible stitches for scarves
    ​◌ Reversible stripes

    2009:
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    2008: 
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    ​◌ Bags of Bags!
    ​◌ Fibonacci stripes

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  • Home
  • Reversible Knitting Stitches
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