Runes are ancient alphabetic symbols used by early Germanic peoples, including the Norse (Vikings), Anglo-Saxons, and other northern European tribes. Carved into wood, stone, or metal, they served both practical and mystical purposes—used for writing, marking ownership, and invoking protection or magic. Each rune represented a sound as well as a deeper meaning, such as strength, journey, or wisdom, forming a system that blended language, art, and spirituality.

This pattern features the RUNES characters in a sample rectangle, using overlay mosaic crochet, which can be used in other types of projects, such as blankets, pillows, satchel bags, table mats, etc. Or select your favorite characters for your own customized project.

Any yarn or hook will work, depending on the desired size of the finished square. If using a yarn weight of 4 with a 5.5 hook, this will create a square of around 24” x 20”. To create a larger square, you can add extra rows to the top or bottom, or in between letters, as well as add extra stitches to the sides or in between the letters. You can also use individual letters if you don’t want to do the entire square.

You will need 2 colors of yarn - one for the background and one for the letters. You will need more of the background color than the color for the letters. If using weight #4 yarn, you need approximately 340-400 yards of the background color & 200-240 of the letter color. (around 11.5 oz total)

This pattern includes the full chart, along with general instructions on how to read the chart & do mosaic. It doesn’t not have row by row instructions, due to the fact that each letter could be stitched on it’s own or in various arrangements of your choosing.

Pattern is in US crochet terms.

BUNDLE PROMOS: Buy 4 patterns, get one of those free! Promo will be applied automatically in the cart when any 4 patterns are added. Discount covers cost of one square ($4), but when purchasing 4 blankets (anything over $10) use code 4BLANKETS to get one blanket free. Only one discount per purchase.