The Pearl Rain curtain is a hanging screen made of 14 lace strands. Each strand alternates a small round medallion with a larger openwork teardrop. A champagne pearl bead links each motif to the next, and every strand ends in a soft tassel. Light comes through the open net centers, so the curtain screens a window without blocking it.
Everything is worked in one color: a natural linen-beige cotton thread, paired with cream glass pearls and a wooden rod. The look is warm, airy, and slightly vintage, and it suits boho, cottage, or minimalist rooms.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished curtain measures 49 in (124.5 cm) wide and 56 in (142.2 cm) long, from the top of the rod to the tassel tips.
You crochet and block every motif separately. Then you link the motifs into strands with sewn bead links, add a crocheted hanging tab and a tassel to each strand, and slide the tabs onto the rod.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 49 in (124.5 cm) wide x 56 in (142.2 cm) long
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Size 3 cotton crochet thread (Lace / 0)
- Hook: 2.25 mm (US B-1)
- Number of pieces: 84 medallions, 84 teardrops, 14 tassels (14 strands)
- Layout: 14 strands side by side, each 6 repeats long
- Piece size: Medallion 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across; teardrop 3 in (7.6 cm) wide x 4.75 in (12.1 cm) tall
- Size before border: Each beaded strand body is 48 in (121.9 cm) long
- Border depth: 2 in (5.1 cm) hanging tab at the top, 6 in (15.2 cm) tassel at the bottom
Materials
Use a smooth cotton thread in size 3. Cotton holds its shape after blocking and doesn’t stretch much under the weight of the beads. Avoid acrylic, which droops over a long drop.
- Color A, Natural Linen (light warm beige): 650 g / 1820 m (1990 yd), about 13 balls of 50 g / 140 m (153 yd) each
- Beads: 168 glass pearl beads, 10 mm, cream/champagne, with holes of at least 2 mm, plus about 12 spares
- Rod: Wooden curtain rod up to 1.25 in (3.2 cm) in diameter and at least 52 in (132.1 cm) long
- 2.25 mm (US B-1) crochet hook
- Big-eye beading needle or a fine tapestry needle that fits through the beads
- Stiff card 6.25 in (15.9 cm) tall, for the tassels
- Stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape
- Blocking mat, rustproof pins, spray bottle
- Optional: light fabric stiffener
The thread amount includes a margin of about 18% over the estimated use of 1544 m (552 g).
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sk = skip
- sp = space
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rep = repeat
Special stitches
- Picot: Ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook.
- Tip picot: Ch 4, sl st in 4th ch from hook.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 21 sc = 3 in (7.6 cm). In lace the motifs themselves set the real gauge, so make and block one medallion and one teardrop before you make the full set.
Medallion checkpoints (blocked):
- After Round 1: 0.6 in (1.5 cm) across
- After Round 3: 1.3 in (3.3 cm) across
- After Round 4: 1.75 in (4.4 cm) across
- After Round 5: 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across, point to point
Teardrop checkpoints (blocked):
- After Round 1: 0.75 in (1.9 cm) wide x 2.75 in (7.0 cm) tall
- After Round 4: 2.5 in (6.4 cm) wide x 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall
- After Round 6: 3 in (7.6 cm) wide x 4.75 in (12.1 cm) tall
If your motifs are too big, use a hook 0.25 mm smaller. If they are too small, use a hook 0.25 mm larger. Errors add up quickly: a teardrop that’s 0.25 in (0.6 cm) too long adds 1.5 in (3.8 cm) to every strand.
Medallion (make 84)
Ch 5, sl st in first ch to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc in ring, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc)
Round 2: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), [dc in next dc, ch 2] 11 times, join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-5. (12 dc, 12 ch-2 sps)
Round 3: Sl st in first ch-2 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in each ch-2 sp around, join with sl st to first sc. (36 sc)
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in same st, [ch 4, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc] 11 times, ch 4, sk 2 sc, join with sl st to first sc. (12 sc, 12 ch-4 loops)
Round 5: Sl st in first ch-4 loop, ch 1, (2 sc, ch 3, 2 sc) in each ch-4 loop around, join with sl st to first sc. (48 sc, 12 ch-3 points)
Fasten off and weave in the ends. The ch-3 point in the first loop is point 1 (top). The point directly across from it is point 7 (bottom). Mark both points.
Teardrop (make 84)
You work the teardrop in rounds around a foundation chain. Short stitches near the top make the pointed tip, and a dc fan makes the round bottom.
Ch 17.
Round 1: (Sc, ch 3, sc) in 2nd ch from hook for the tip. Sc in next 3 ch, hdc in next 4 ch, dc in next 7 ch, then 12 dc in last ch for the bottom fan. Working in the other side of the foundation chain, dc in next 7 ch, hdc in next 4 ch, sc in next 3 ch. Join with sl st to first sc. (42 sts: 2 tip sc, 14 sts on each side, 12 fan dc; plus tip ch-3 sp)
Round 2: Sl st in tip sp, ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) in tip sp. [Ch 3, sk 1 st, sc in next st] 7 times along the first side. [Ch 3, sc in next dc] 12 times across the fan. [Ch 3, sk 1 st, sc in next st] 7 times along the second side. Ch 3, join with sl st to first sc. To keep the tip sharp, make the first 2 and last 2 loops ch 2 instead of ch 3. (28 sc; 27 loops plus tip sp)
Number the loops 1 to 27, starting after the tip. Loops 8 to 20 wrap around the bottom, and loop 14 is the bottom center.
Round 3: Sl st in tip sp, ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) in tip sp. [Ch 4, sc in next loop] around, but in loops 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 work (sc, ch 4, sc) instead of one sc. Ch 4, join to first sc. Make the first 2 and last 2 loops ch 3. (36 sc: 2 in tip sp, 27 + 7 in loops; 35 loops plus tip sp)
Round 4: Sl st in tip sp, ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) in tip sp. [Ch 5, sc in next loop] 35 times, ch 5, join to first sc. Make the first 2 and last 2 loops ch 3. (37 sc; 36 loops: 4 ch-3 and 32 ch-5, plus tip sp)
This round forms the open diamond net. The longer chains provide the growth, so no increases are needed.
Round 5: Sl st in tip sp, ch 1, (2 sc, ch 3, 2 sc) in tip sp. Work 2 sc in each of the 4 ch-3 loops and 2 sc in each ch-5 loop, except work 3 sc in each of loops 15 to 22 (the 8 bottom-center loops). Join to first sc. (4 + 8 + 48 + 24 = 84 sc, plus tip ch-3 sp)
Round 6: Sl st in tip sp, ch 1, (sc, tip picot, sc) in tip sp. [Sc in next 2 sc, picot, sc in next sc] 28 times. Join to first sc. (86 sc, 28 picots, 1 tip picot)
Fasten off and weave in the ends. Round 6 makes the solid outline and its picot edge. Picots 14 and 15 sit on either side of the bottom center and form the bottom attachment point.
Make All Pieces
All pieces use Color A:
- 84 medallions: 336 m (120 g)
- 84 teardrops: 924 m (330 g)
- 14 tassels: 196 m (70 g)
- 14 tabs: 21 m (8 g)
- 168 bead links: 67 m (24 g)
Block every motif before joining (see Final Blocking, step 1).
Layout grid (14 strands, read top to bottom):
Strand: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Tab T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
Rep x6 M M M M M M M M M M M M M M
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
End Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q
T = tab, M = medallion, o = bead link, D = teardrop, Q = tassel
Each strand has 6 medallions, 6 teardrops, 12 beads, 1 tab and 1 tassel.
Joining
The motifs are joined into vertical strands with sewn bead links. The strands themselves stay separate.
Link method:
- Cut a 16 in (40.6 cm) length of thread and thread it onto the beading needle.
- Pass it through the upper attachment point, through a bead, and through the lower attachment point. Then go back up through the bead.
- Pass through the upper point once more. Tie a square knot at the back and weave the tails into the motif.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: Always link the same points so every strand hangs straight.
- Medallion point 7 links to the teardrop tip picot.
- Teardrop picots 14 and 15 (taken together) link to the next medallion’s point 1.
- The last teardrop’s picots 14 and 15 link to the tassel’s top loop.
Tension: Snug the bead between the motifs so only a hair of thread shows on each side. Each link, bead included, should measure 0.5 in (1.3 cm). If you pull too tight, the motifs tilt. If you leave it too loose, the strand twists.
Size checkpoint: One repeat is 2.25 + 0.5 + 4.75 + 0.5 = 8 in (20.3 cm). Three repeats measure 24 in (61.0 cm). A full strand body measures 48 in (121.9 cm), including the final link.
Border: Hanging Tabs and Tassel Ends
A strand curtain has no fabric edge, so its border is the top tab and the bottom tassel on each strand. Together they add 8 in (20.3 cm) to the 48 in (121.9 cm) strand body.
Border gauge: 7 sc per 1 in (2.5 cm), the same as the motifs.
Hanging tab (one per strand, worked on the top medallion):
- Round 1: Join thread with sl st in point 1 of the top medallion. Ch 30, then sl st in the same point to form a loop. (30 ch)
- Round 2: Ch 1, work 40 sc into the loop (20 on each half). Join with sl st to first sc and fasten off. (40 sc)
Why the math works: At 7 ch per inch, 30 ch makes a loop about 4.3 in (10.9 cm) around, which folds over the rod to a 2 in (5.1 cm) drop. A 1.25 in (3.2 cm) rod is about 3.9 in (9.9 cm) around, which leaves 0.4 in (1.0 cm) of ease for sliding. Working 40 sc into 30 ch (4 sc per 3 ch) firms up the loop so it won’t stretch under the weight of 12 beads.
Tassel (make 14):
- Wrap thread 40 times around the 6.25 in (15.9 cm) card.
- Slip a 12 in (30.5 cm) strand under the wraps at the top and knot it tightly. This forms the top loop.
- Cut the wraps along the bottom edge. You’ll have 80 ends.
- Wrap a 20 in (50.8 cm) strand 8 times around the bundle, 0.75 in (1.9 cm) below the top. Knot it and bury the ends inside the tassel.
- Steam the tassel lightly and trim it to 6 in (15.2 cm).
Final Blocking
- Motifs: Wet each motif and roll it in a towel. Pin each medallion to a 2.25 in (5.7 cm) circle, with a pin in every point. Pin each teardrop to a 3 x 4.75 in (7.6 x 12.1 cm) outline, with pins in the tip and every picot. Let them dry fully. For crisper lace, brush on diluted stiffener before drying.
- Strands: Hang each finished strand from a hook and mist it lightly. The bead weight straightens it as it dries.
- Measure: Each strand should measure 56 in (142.2 cm) from the tab fold to the tassel tips. Re-tie any link that’s off.
- Hang: Slide the 14 tabs onto the rod and space them 3.5 in (8.9 cm) apart, center to center, for a width of 49 in (124.5 cm).
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each medallion has 48 sc and 12 points and measures 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across.
- Each teardrop has 86 sc, 28 picots and a tip picot, and measures 3 x 4.75 in (7.6 x 12.1 cm).
- Each strand has 6 medallions, 6 teardrops, 12 beads, 1 tab and 1 tassel.
- Every link measures 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
- All teardrop tips point up, and every strand hangs straight.
- All knots are hidden and all tails are woven in.
Troubleshooting
- Teardrop cups: The net chains are too tight. Go up a hook size, or add 1 ch to the Round 4 loops.
- Teardrop ruffles: Round 5 is too loose. Check that you have 84 sc, and use a smaller hook for Rounds 5 and 6.
- The tip is rounded: Rework the shorter taper loops in Rounds 2 to 4.
- A strand twists: Re-link it through point 1, point 7, and picots 14 and 15.
- Strands are different lengths: Re-tie the links to 0.5 in (1.3 cm). Don’t stretch the motifs to make up the difference.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, roll the strands in a towel, and hang them to dry, reshaping the teardrops while damp. Keep the curtain out of harsh direct sun to protect the bead finish.
Final Notes
Here is the measurement chain for one strand:
- A 2.25 in (5.7 cm) medallion, a 0.5 in (1.3 cm) link, a 4.75 in (12.1 cm) teardrop and a second link make one 8 in (20.3 cm) repeat.
- Six repeats give a 48 in (121.9 cm) strand body.
- The 2 in (5.1 cm) tab and the 6 in (15.2 cm) tassel bring each strand to 56 in (142.2 cm).
Fourteen strands spaced 3.5 in (8.9 cm) apart fill 49 in (124.5 cm). Check every motif against its checkpoint and all the strands will match.
Happy crocheting!