Emberfall Ombre Table Runner & Placemats Free Pattern – Knit a Sunset Harvest Tablescape

Bring the warm glow of an autumn sunset to your dining table with this stunning ombre knit runner and matching placemats. The gradient shifts from deep burgundy through burnt orange to golden yellow, creating a cozy, handcrafted centerpiece that will make every meal feel special. Whether you're hosting Thanksgiving, a harvest dinner, or simply want to add seasonal charm to your home, this pattern is perfect for knitters of all skill levels. The best part? It's completely free and uses simple techniques to achieve a professional, high-end look.

This pattern is designed to be approachable for beginners while still offering a satisfying project for more experienced knitters. The ombre effect is achieved through strategic color changes, and the delicate lace eyelet pattern adds just the right amount of visual interest without being overwhelming. Let's dive into creating your own sunset-inspired tablescape!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials. Having everything ready will make your knitting experience smooth and enjoyable.

Yarn

• Worsted weight yarn in 3 colors:
  • Color A: Deep burgundy (approx. 300g for runner + 150g for placemats)
  • Color B: Burnt orange (approx. 200g for runner + 100g for placemats)
  • Color C: Golden yellow (approx. 300g for runner + 150g for placemats)
• Total yarn needed: Approximately 800g for the runner plus 6 placemats. Adjust quantities if you're making fewer placemats or a smaller runner.

Pro tip: Choose yarns with similar fiber content and weight to ensure consistent gauge. A soft wool blend or acrylic yarn works beautifully for this project.

Needles & Notions

• US Size 8 (5mm) knitting needles – straight or circular (circular needles can be helpful for managing larger projects)
• Stitch markers (optional, but helpful for keeping track of pattern repeats)
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Scissors
• Blocking mats and pins (for finishing)
• Steam iron or spray bottle (for blocking)

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS). Always knit a gauge swatch before starting to ensure your finished pieces match the intended measurements. If your gauge is off, adjust your needle size accordingly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern creates a stunning ombre effect using simple stripes and a delicate lace eyelet pattern. The runner and placemats are worked flat in one piece each, then blocked for a polished finish. Follow these detailed instructions carefully, and you'll have a beautiful tablescape in no time.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• K2tog: Knit two together (decrease)
• SSK: Slip slip knit (decrease)
• YO: Yarn over (increase)
• Sl: Slip stitch purlwise
• Rep: Repeat

Table Runner (Approx. 14" x 36")

Step 1: Cast On

With Color A (deep burgundy), cast on 64 stitches using your preferred method. A long-tail cast on works well for this project. Make sure your cast-on edge is not too tight, as this will make the border curl.

Step 2: Border Rows 1-6

Knit every row (garter stitch) for 6 rows total. This creates a flat, non-curling edge that frames your lace pattern beautifully. The garter stitch border also adds structure to the runner.

Step 3: Body Pattern

Now you'll begin the lace eyelet pattern that creates the delicate vertical stripes. Follow these two rows carefully:

Row 1 (Right Side): K3, *K2tog, YO, K2* repeat from * to * until you have 3 stitches remaining, K3.

Row 2 (Wrong Side): K3, Purl to the last 3 stitches, K3.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for the entire body of the runner. The K3 at the beginning and end of each row maintains the garter stitch border on the sides, preventing curling.

Understanding the pattern: The K2tog followed by a YO creates a small eyelet (hole) that leans to the right. When repeated across the row, these eyelets form vertical columns of lace. The K2 between each eyelet keeps the pattern airy and open.

Step 4: Color Changes

This is where the magic happens! You'll create the ombre effect by changing colors at specific intervals. Work the following sequence:

1. Work 20 rows with Color A (deep burgundy) – this includes the 6 border rows plus 14 body rows. If you prefer a more gradual transition, you can work 22 rows here.
2. Work 20 rows with Color B (burnt orange) – continue the lace pattern without interruption.
3. Work 20 rows with Color C (golden yellow) – this will be the center of your runner.
4. Work 20 rows with Color B (burnt orange) – mirroring the first orange section.
5. Work 20 rows with Color A (deep burgundy) – finishing with the same color you started with.

Important tip: When changing colors, do so at the beginning of a right-side row for the cleanest transition. Leave a tail of about 6 inches to weave in later. To keep tension even, don't pull the new yarn too tightly when starting the first stitch.

Step 5: Final Border

After completing the last 20 rows of Color A, knit 6 more rows in garter stitch (knit every row) to match the bottom border. This creates a symmetrical frame around your lace pattern.

Step 6: Bind Off

Bind off loosely to prevent the edge from pulling. A stretchy bind-off like the "suspended bind-off" or simply using a larger needle for binding off works well. Cut your yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail, and pull through the last loop.

Step 7: Weave in Ends

Using your tapestry needle, weave in all loose ends on the wrong side of the work. Be sure to weave in at least 2 inches in each direction to secure the yarn firmly.

Placemats (Approx. 12" x 18" Each)

Each placemat follows the same basic pattern as the runner but with a smaller cast-on and fewer color blocks. Make as many as you need for your table setting – the pattern calls for 6 placemats.

Step 1: Cast On

With Color A, cast on 54 stitches.

Step 2: Border Rows 1-6

Knit every row for 6 rows (garter stitch border).

Step 3: Body Pattern

Work the same lace pattern as the runner:

Row 1 (RS): K3, *K2tog, YO, K2* repeat to last 3 stitches, K3.

Row 2 (WS): K3, Purl to last 3 stitches, K3.

Step 4: Color Changes

For the placemats, you'll use only 3 color blocks instead of 5:

1. Work 20 rows with Color A (deep burgundy)
2. Work 20 rows with Color B (burnt orange)
3. Work 20 rows with Color C (golden yellow)

This creates a simpler gradient that still echoes the runner's sunset theme. The placemats will have burgundy at the top, orange in the middle, and yellow at the bottom – or you can flip them for variety.

Step 5: Final Border & Bind Off

Knit 6 rows of garter stitch, then bind off loosely. Weave in all ends.

Finishing & Blocking

Blocking is essential for this project – it will even out your stitches, open up the lace pattern, and give your pieces a professional, polished look.

1. Soak or spray: Fill a sink with lukewarm water and a small amount of wool wash (or use a spray bottle). Gently submerge your pieces or spray them until damp.
2. Remove excess water: Press gently – never wring or twist. Roll in a towel to remove excess moisture.
3. Pin to measurements: Lay the pieces on blocking mats and pin them to the specified measurements (runner: 14" x 36", placemats: 12" x 18"). Use rust-proof pins and pin the edges evenly.
4. Let dry completely: Leave pinned until fully dry, usually 24-48 hours. For a softer drape, you can steam lightly with an iron held above the fabric (don't press directly).

Optional: Adding Fringe

For a bohemian touch, add a simple fringe to the short ends of the runner using Color C (golden yellow) yarn:

1. Cut strands of yarn about 8 inches long.
2. Fold each strand in half and use a crochet hook to pull the folded end through the edge of the runner.
3. Pull the loose ends through the loop and tighten.
4. Repeat across both short ends, spacing fringe about 1/2 inch apart.
5. Trim the fringe evenly for a neat finish.

Tips for Success

• Use a lifeline: When changing colors, thread a piece of contrasting yarn through the stitches on your needle. If you make a mistake, you can easily rip back to this point without losing your place.
• Keep tension even: The slipped-stitch border (K3 on each edge) naturally prevents curling, but maintaining even tension throughout will ensure a flat, professional finish.
• Count your stitches: The lace pattern should maintain 64 stitches (runner) or 54 stitches (placemats) throughout. If you find you've gained or lost a stitch, check your K2tog and YO pairs – they should balance each other out.
• For a more dramatic ombre: Use 5 colors instead of 3, transitioning from deep burgundy to wine, then burnt orange, then golden yellow, and finally a pale cream. Adjust the row counts accordingly.
• Make it your own: Feel free to adjust the width by adding or subtracting stitches in multiples of 4 (to maintain the pattern repeat) plus 6 (for the borders).

Once your pieces are blocked and finished, style your table with small pumpkins, dried leaves, and warm candlelight to complete the autumn harvest aesthetic. Your handcrafted Emberfall tablescape will be a conversation starter and a cherished heirloom for years to come.

Happy knitting! We'd love to see your finished projects – share them with the community and inspire others to create their own sunset harvest tablescape.