The Morning Shell Lace Curtain Panel is a tall, airy curtain covered in staggered fans. Each fan of 9 double crochets sits under a pair of chain-5 arches, and the next band of fans is shifted half a repeat, so the fabric looks like overlapping shells. Light passes through the arches and the solid fans give the panel its texture.
The panel is worked in one color, a soft ivory cream, so the stitch pattern carries the whole design. It looks cottage or boho and fits a bright window. A row of scallops edges the hem, and narrow crocheted tabs at the top slide straight onto a curtain rod.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. One finished panel measures 36.75 in (93.3 cm) wide by 78 in (198.1 cm) long from the top edge to the scallop points, not counting the tabs. The tab loops add about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) above the top edge.
You work each panel as one piece in rows from the bottom up. Start with a single crochet base, repeat a 4-row fan pattern 30 times, and finish the top with a flat single crochet band. Next, add a single crochet border round, two scallop rows along the hem, and 8 tabs along the top. For a pair, make two identical panels. They are never joined.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size (one panel): 36.75 in x 78 in (93.3 cm x 198.1 cm), plus tabs
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: DK (#3) cotton
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6)
- Number of pieces: 1 per panel (make 2 for a pair)
- Layout: single rectangular piece worked flat in rows, no joining
- Piece size before border: 36.25 in x 76.5 in (92.1 cm x 194.3 cm)
- Border depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on the sides and top; 1.25 in (3.2 cm) at the scalloped hem
- Tab loops: 8 tabs, each 1.25 in (3.2 cm) wide, folded into loops about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) deep
Materials
Use a smooth, mercerized or combed cotton in DK weight, about 125 m per 50 g. Cotton holds the fan shapes well, keeps the arches open, and stands up to sunlight and washing. Don’t use fuzzy or very stretchy yarns. A curtain this long will drop under its own weight, and slippery fibers stretch the most.
- Ivory cream (one color only): 1,100 g / 2,750 m per panel (22 balls of 50 g)
- For a pair of panels: 2,200 g / 5,500 m (44 balls of 50 g)
Quantities include a margin of about 10% for swatching, gauge differences, and weaving in ends. Buy all the yarn from one dye lot.
Tools:
- 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Locking stitch markers
- Measuring tape
- Rust-proof pins and a large blocking surface (foam mats or a carpeted floor covered with a towel)
- Spray bottle
- Curtain rod, up to 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in diameter
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sk – skip
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp – space
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
- rep – repeat
Special stitch – Fan: Work 9 dc in the same st. The 5th dc is the center of the fan. Half fan = 5 dc in the same st at the edge of a row. The beginning ch-3 counts as 1 of those 5 dc.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge in sc: 16 sc and 18 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm).
Gauge in pattern: one 12-st repeat = 3 in (7.6 cm) wide; one 4-row repeat (Rows 3–6) = 2.5 in (6.4 cm) tall.
Make a test swatch before you start the panel. Ch 38. Work Rows 1–2 as written below, but repeat 6 times instead of 24 in Row 2. That gives 37 sts, 6 ch-5 loops, and 3 pattern repeats. Then work Rows 3–6 twice, using “2 times” wherever the panel says “11 times.” Block the swatch the same way you will block the panel. It should measure 9.25 in (23.5 cm) wide and 5.75 in (14.6 cm) tall.
- Swatch too big: go down one hook size, to 3.75 mm (F-5).
- Swatch too small: go up one hook size, to 4.5 mm (7).
- Width right but height off: check your dc height. Pull each loop up evenly before you yarn over, and don’t tug the ch-5 arches tight.
Measurement checkpoints for the panel, measured flat without stretching:
- After Row 2: 36.25 in (92.1 cm) wide, 0.75 in (1.9 cm) tall
- After Row 42 (10 repeats): 25.75 in (65.4 cm) tall
- After Row 82 (20 repeats): 50.75 in (128.9 cm) tall
- After Row 122 (30 repeats): 75.75 in (192.4 cm) tall
- After Row 125: 76.5 in (194.3 cm) tall
If the panel is more than 0.5 in (1.3 cm) off at any checkpoint, fix your tension before you go on. Lace grows lengthwise when hung, so err on the short side rather than the long side.
Panel Pattern
The stitch count is based on 24 ch-5 loops across, which is 12 fan repeats. Each loop row has 25 sc.
Foundation: Ch 146.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (145 sc)
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 5, sk 5 sc, sc in next sc; rep from * 24 times total, turn. (24 ch-5 loops, 25 sc)*
Row 3 (RS, fan row A): Ch 3 (counts as dc), 4 dc in first sc (half fan made), sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 5, sc in next ch-5 sp, Fan in next sc; rep from * 11 times total, sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 5, sc in next ch-5 sp, 5 dc in last sc (half fan made), turn. (11 Fans, 2 half fans, 12 ch-5 loops, 24 sc)*
The Fans sit on every other sc of Row 2. The ch-5 arches skip the sc between them.
Row 4 (WS, arch row): Ch 1, sc in first dc, ch 5, sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 5, sc in 5th dc of next Fan; rep from * 11 times total, ch 5, sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 5, sc in top of beginning ch-3, turn. (24 ch-5 loops, 25 sc)*
Row 5 (RS, fan row B): Ch 5 (counts as dc and ch 2), sc in next ch-5 sp, Fan in next sc, sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 5, sc in next ch-5 sp; rep from * 11 times total, Fan in next sc, sc in last ch-5 sp, ch 2, dc in last sc, turn. (12 Fans, 11 ch-5 loops, 24 sc, 1 ch-2 sp at each edge)*
These Fans sit centered over the ch-5 arches of Row 3. That half-repeat shift makes the fans overlap like shells.
Row 6 (WS, arch row): Ch 1, sc in first dc, ch 5, sc in 5th dc of next Fan, ch 5, sc in next ch-5 sp; rep from * 11 times total, ch 5, sc in 5th dc of last Fan, ch 5, sc in 3rd ch of beginning ch-5, turn. (24 ch-5 loops, 25 sc)*
Skip the ch-2 spaces at the edges.
Rows 7–122: Rep Rows 3–6 another 29 times. That is 30 repeats in all. The last row is a Row 6. Mark every 5th repeat with a stitch marker to keep count.
Row 123 (RS, top band): Ch 1, sc in first sc, 5 sc in next ch-5 sp, sc in next sc; rep from * 24 times total, turn. (145 sc = 1 + 24 x 6)*
Rows 124–125: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn. (145 sc)
Don’t fasten off. At the end of Row 125 the RS faces you for the border.
Border
Border gauge: 4 sc per 1 in (2.5 cm), matching the sc gauge.
In this section, side counts are the sts between the corner groups. Each corner group is 3 sc in one st, and its center sc is the corner st.
Round 1 (RS): Ch 1. Work 3 sc in the first st of Row 125 (corner). Sc in each of the next 143 sts. Work 3 sc in the last st (corner). Rotate to the side edge and work down the row ends:
- 1 sc in the end of Rows 124 and 123 (2 sc)
- In each pattern repeat (Rows 122 down to 3): 2 sc around the edge of each arch row and 3 sc around the edge dc or ch of each fan row (10 sc per repeat x 30 = 300 sc)
- 1 sc in the end of Row 2 (1 sc)
That makes 303 sc along the side. Work 3 sc in the first free loop of the foundation ch (corner). Sc in each of the next 143 free loops. Work 3 sc in the last free loop (corner). Work the second side to match, with 303 sc. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (Top 143, bottom 143, sides 303 each, plus 4 corner groups of 3 = 904 sc)
Why the math works: The sides are 76.5 in (194.3 cm) long. At 4 sc per inch that calls for 306 sts. The 303 side sc plus the 2 corner center sts make 305, close enough for the edge to hang straight without rippling. The top and bottom keep exactly the 145 sts of the body, so the width doesn’t change.
Fasten off.
Scalloped Hem
Join yarn with the RS facing in the center sc of the bottom-right corner group. The hem is worked across the bottom only, from corner center to corner center. That is 1 + 143 + 1 = 145 sts, and 145 = 24 x 6 + 1, so the scallops come out even.
Scallop Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, sc in same st, sk 2 sts, 7 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st; rep from * 24 times total, turn. (24 shells, 25 sc)*
Scallop Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc in first sc, [ch 2, sc in next dc] 7 times, ch 2, sc in next sc; rep from * 24 times total. (192 ch-2 sps, 193 sc)* Fasten off.
The eyelet scallops add 1 in (2.5 cm), so the hem border is 1.25 in (3.2 cm) deep in total. That brings the panel to 78 in (198.1 cm).
Tabs
The top edge has 145 sts from corner center to corner center. Divide them into 8 tabs of 5 sts each and 7 gaps of 15 sts each: 8 x 5 + 7 x 15 = 40 + 105 = 145. Mark the tab positions before you start. Tab 1 starts in the corner center st.
Each tab: Join yarn with the RS facing. Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each of the next 5 sts, turn. Rows 2–32: Ch 1, sc in each of the 5 sc, turn. Fasten off and leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
Each tab is 1.25 in (3.2 cm) wide and about 7 in (17.8 cm) long. Fold it to the WS and sew the last row flat across the back of Row 125 and the border, right behind the tab base. The loop hangs about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) deep.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends along the sc rows or inside the dc fans. Leave the long tab tails sewn securely.
- Soak the panel in cool water for 15 minutes. Press the water out gently and don’t wring.
- Roll the panel in towels to remove more water.
- Lay it flat and pin it to 36.75 in x 78 in (93.3 cm x 198.1 cm).
- Pin the side borders straight first. Then pin the point of each of the 24 scallops so they spread evenly.
- Open the ch-5 arches with your fingers so each fan sits round.
- Let it dry completely, then unpin. Hang the panel for 24 hours before you adjust anything. Cotton lace settles a little.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- 145 sts across the top band and 145 sts across the bottom border
- 30 complete fan repeats, with fans alternating position from band to band
- 12 full Fans in every Row 5 band; 11 full Fans plus 2 half fans in every Row 3 band
- 303 sc along each side, and the edges hang straight
- 24 even scallops, each with 8 ch-2 eyelets
- 8 tabs, evenly spaced 15 sts apart and all the same length
- Both panels match within 0.5 in (1.3 cm) in width and length
Troubleshooting
- Fans lean or look lopsided: you probably worked a Fan into a ch-5 sp instead of an sc. Fans always go into sc.
- Wrong number of loops at the end of a row: count the ch-5 loops after each arch row. There should be 24.
- Edges pull in: you are working fewer sc into the row ends than written. Use 3 sc on fan-row edges.
- Edges ruffle: your border tension is loose. Go down to a 3.75 mm (F-5) hook for the border only.
- Hem cups or flares: check that each shell has exactly 7 dc and that you skipped 2 sts on each side.
- Panel too long after hanging: remove repeats before you work the top band. Each repeat removed takes off 2.5 in (6.4 cm).
- Tabs twist: sew them on with the RS facing out and line them up with the stitch columns.
Care
Hand wash or machine wash on a gentle cycle in cool water, inside a mesh laundry bag. Lay flat to dry, reshaping the scallops. Never hang the panel wet, or it will stretch.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is simple. A 12-st repeat of 3 in (7.6 cm) gives 145 sts and 36.25 in (92.1 cm) of width. Each 4-row repeat of 2.5 in (6.4 cm), worked 30 times, adds up to a 76.5 in (194.3 cm) body. The sc border brings the panel to 36.75 in (93.3 cm) wide, and the scalloped hem brings it to 78 in (198.1 cm) long. Eight tabs fit exactly into the 145 top sts. If your swatch matches, every count after that will match too.
Make two panels, block them side by side, and hang them as a pair.
Happy crocheting!