Navy blue and cream crocheted moon garland with lace details and bead strands on beige wall.

Midnight Crescent Moon Valance Crochet Pattern

by

The Midnight Crescent Valance is a light, airy window topper that sways when the window is open. A navy lace header with a row of cream dots and a double scalloped edge holds 11 hanging strands. Five strands carry lacy crescent moons. The other six carry small cream stars, round navy beads and ridged teardrops.

The colors are deep navy and natural cream. The navy gives the moons a strong outline against the light, and the cream lace in the middle of each moon looks like it’s glowing in the sun. The style is cozy and celestial, with a little vintage flavor.

The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished valance is about 34.7 in (88.1 cm) wide. The header is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) deep, and the full drop, header plus the longest strand, is about 18.7 in (47.5 cm).

Here’s the construction. You crochet the header as one long strip in rows and then add the scalloped border. Next you make the moons, stars, beads and teardrops as separate small pieces. Finally, you chain a navy cord from the header for each strand and sew the pieces onto the cords at marked chains.

Finished Size and Construction

  • Finished size: 34.7 in (88.1 cm) wide x 18.7 in (47.5 cm) total drop
  • Skill level: Intermediate
  • Terminology: US
  • Yarn weight: DK / light (3) mercerized cotton
  • Hook: 3.0 mm
  • Number of pieces: 1 header, 5 moons, 29 stars, 33 beads, 11 teardrops, 16 cord sections
  • Layout: 11 strands in a row, alternating star strand / moon strand, starting and ending with a star strand
  • Strand spacing: 3 in (7.6 cm) center to center
  • Header before border: 34.7 in x 2.4 in (88.1 x 6.1 cm)
  • Border depth: 1.1 in (2.8 cm)
  • Moon size: 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall x 2.75 in (7.0 cm) wide

Materials

Use a smooth mercerized cotton. It shows the stitches clearly, holds the moon’s curve and doesn’t fuzz in sunlight. These amounts are based on cotton with about 115 m per 50 g.

  • Navy: 150 g (about 345 m)
  • Cream: 100 g (about 230 m)
  • 3.0 mm crochet hook
  • Tapestry needle
  • Small amount of polyester fiberfill
  • Locking stitch markers (at least 25)
  • Rust-proof pins and a blocking mat
  • Spray bottle
  • Wooden curtain rod with 12 clip rings

The quantities include a margin of about 20% for swatching and color changes.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • ch – chain
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • sc – single crochet
  • hdc – half double crochet
  • dc – double crochet
  • tr – treble crochet
  • sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
  • BLO – back loop only
  • sp(s) – space(s)
  • st(s) – stitch(es)

Puff stitch (puff): (Yarn over, insert hook in the space, yarn over, pull up a loop to the height of a dc) 3 times. You now have 7 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops.

Gauge and Checkpoints

Gauge: 24 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm). In the header pattern, 6 sts = 1 in (2.5 cm), and Rows 1–6 are 2.4 in (6.1 cm) deep. For cords, 5 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm).

Test one piece first. Make one moon before anything else, because it shows your gauge quickly.

  • After Row 1, the 21 sc should measure 3.5 in (8.9 cm) laid straight.
  • After Rnd 4, the moon should be 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall and 2.75 in (7.0 cm) wide.
  • A star should be 1.25 in (3.2 cm) from point to point.
  • A bead should be 0.6 in (1.5 cm) across.

If your moon comes out more than 0.25 in (0.6 cm) too big, go down to a 2.75 mm hook. If it comes out too small, go up to a 3.25 mm hook. Recheck before you start the header, because a 1-stitch-per-inch error over 208 stitches changes the width by almost 6 in (15.2 cm).

Navy and tan crocheted lace with interlocking geometric lattice pattern, held backlit against a soft, blurred background.

Header Band

With navy, ch 209.

Row 1 (navy): Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across, turn. (208 sc)

Row 2 (navy, mesh): Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), skip 2 sc, dc in the next sc, ch 2, skip 2 sc, dc in the next sc across, turn. (70 dc, 69 ch-2 sps)

The dc land on stitches 1, 4, 7 and so on up to 208. Each mesh cell uses 3 stitches, and 1 + (69 x 3) = 208.

Row 3 (cream, puff dots): Fasten off navy. Join cream with a sl st in the first dc. Ch 3 (counts as dc), then ch 2, dc in the next dc, ch 1, puff in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1, dc in the next dc, ch 2, dc in the next dc 23 times, turn. (70 dc, 23 puffs)

Each repeat covers 3 mesh cells, and 23 x 3 = 69 cells. The puff sits in the middle cell of each repeat, so it ends up right above the center of a scallop.

Row 4 (navy): Fasten off cream. Join navy in the first dc. Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), dc in the next dc, ch 2, dc in the next dc across, turn. Skip the puffs and treat every cell as a ch-2 space. (70 dc, 69 ch-2 sps)

Row 5 (navy): Repeat Row 4. (70 dc, 69 ch-2 sps)

Row 6 (navy, conversion): Ch 1, sc in the first dc, 2 sc in the next ch-2 sp, sc in the next dc 69 times, turn. Count: 70 sc worked 1 per dc + 138 sc added in the spaces = 208 sc.

Checkpoint: The header should measure 34.7 in x 2.4 in (88.1 x 6.1 cm). Don’t fasten off. Go straight on to the border.

Moon (Make 5)

Row 1 (navy): Ch 22. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across, turn. (21 sc) This row is the navy inner edge of the moon. Fasten off.

Row 2 (cream, spokes): Join cream in the first sc. Ch 1, sc in the first 2 sts, hdc in the next 2, dc in the next 2, tr in the next st, ch 2, tr in the next st 8 times, dc in the next 2, hdc in the next 2, sc in the last 2, turn. Count: 2 + 2 + 2 + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 21 sts, 8 ch-2 sps.

The tall tr spokes and the chain spaces in the middle make the outer edge longer than the inner edge, so the piece curves into a crescent. The short stitches at each end taper the tips.

Row 3 (cream, lace): Ch 1, sc in the first 2 sts, hdc in the next 2, dc in the next 2, dc in the next tr, (dc, ch 1, dc) in the next ch-2 sp, dc in the next tr 8 times, dc in the next 2, hdc in the next 2, sc in the last 2. Count: 7 + (8 x 3) + 6 = 37 sts, 8 ch-1 sps. Fasten off.

Rnd 4 (navy, outline): Join navy in the first st of Row 3.

  1. Ch 1. Along the outer edge, sc in each st and each ch-1 sp: 37 + 8 = 45 sc.
  2. At the first tip, work 3 sc across the row ends, 1 each in Rows 3, 2 and 1.
  3. Working into the unused loops of the foundation chain, work 21 sc.
  4. At the second tip, work 3 sc across the row ends.
  5. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (72 sc: 45 + 3 + 21 + 3)

Pull the middle sc of each tip snug to sharpen the point. The inner edge is now two sc thick, which gives the bold navy inner line.

Mark the attachment points: Place a marker in the 9th sc and the 37th sc of the outer edge. These two stitches are mirror images of each other, and the moon hangs from them.

Star (Make 29)

With cream, make a magic ring.

Rnd 1: 10 sc in the ring, sl st to the first sc. (10 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 4, sl st in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in the next ch, hdc in the next ch, skip 1 sc, sl st in the next sc 5 times. (5 points)

Fasten off and leave an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail. Pull the ring tight.

Bead (Make 33)

With navy, make a magic ring.

  • Rnd 1: 6 sc in the ring. (6)
  • Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st. (12)
  • Rnds 3–4: Sc in each st. (12)
  • Rnd 5: Sc2tog 6 times. (6) Stuff firmly before you close it.

Fasten off, weave the tail through the front loops, pull it closed and leave an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail.

Teardrop (Make 11)

With navy, make a magic ring. You start at the bottom point.

  • Rnd 1: 4 sc in the ring. (4)
  • Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st. (8)
  • Rnd 3: Sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st 4 times. (12)
  • Rnds 4–5: Working in BLO, sc in each st. (12) This makes the ridged texture.
  • Rnd 6: Working in BLO, sc in the next st, sc2tog 4 times. (8) Stuff.
  • Rnd 7: Sc2tog 4 times. (4)

Close the top and leave a tail. The teardrop is 1.25 in (3.2 cm) long and 0.7 in (1.8 cm) wide.

Make All Pieces

Piece Color Quantity
Header Navy + cream 1
Moon Navy + cream 5
Star Cream 29 (24 for star strands + 5 for moon strands)
Bead Navy 33 (18 for star strands + 15 for moon strands)
Teardrop Navy 11

Strand layout (left to right, by scallop number):

Scallop:  2   4   6   8   10  12  14  16  18  20  22
Strand:   S   M   S   M   S   M   S   M   S   M   S
S = star strand (6)    M = moon strand (5)

Star strand, top to bottom: star, bead, star, bead, star, bead, star, teardrop

Moon strand, top to bottom: bead, bead, moon, bead, star, teardrop

Border

Border gauge is the same as the header: 9 sts = 1.5 in (3.8 cm), which is 1 scallop.

Row B1 (navy, shells): Work across the 208 sc of Row 6. Ch 1, sc in the first st, then skip 3 sts, 4 dc in the next st, ch 1, 4 dc in the next st, skip 3 sts, sc in the next st 23 times. (23 shells of 8 dc, 24 sc, 23 ch-1 tips)

Each repeat uses 3 + 1 + 1 + 3 + 1 = 9 sts. The first sc uses stitch 1, so 1 + (23 x 9) = 208. The math ends exactly on the last stitch. The two shell stitches sit at positions 5 and 6 of each repeat, centered between the sc on stitches 1 and 10, so every scallop is symmetric.

Row B2 (cream, lace arches): Fasten off navy. Join cream in the first sc. Ch 1, sc in the same st, then ch 3, skip 2 dc, sc in the next dc, ch 3, skip 1 dc, (sc, ch 4, sc) in the ch-1 tip, ch 3, skip 1 dc, sc in the next dc, ch 3, skip 2 dc, sc in the next sc 23 times. Count: 1 + (23 x 5) = 116 sc, 92 ch-3 loops, 23 ch-4 picots.

Each half-shell has 4 dc: you skip 2, sc in 1 and skip 1. Both halves match, so the picot lands at the very tip of the scallop.

Side edges (navy): Join navy at one short end. Work 1 sc in each sc row end (Rows 1 and 6), 2 sc in each dc row end (Rows 2–5) and 2 sc in the Row B1 row end, for 12 sc per side: 1 + 8 + 1 + 2. Repeat on the other short end.

Checkpoint: The header plus border is 34.7 in x 3.5 in (88.1 x 8.9 cm).

Joining

Cord method: Each strand is a navy chain cord. Join navy with a sl st into the ch-4 picot of the scallop, then chain.

  • Star strand: Ch 70 (14 in / 35.6 cm). Fasten off. Mark ch 8, 26, 44 and 62 for the stars, and ch 17, 35 and 53 for the beads. Put the teardrop at ch 70. Items are 9 ch (1.8 in / 4.6 cm) apart, center to center.
  • Moon strand, upper cord: Ch 24 (4.8 in / 12.2 cm). Mark ch 8 and 17 for the two beads. Sew the last ch to the moon’s marked 9th sc.
  • Moon strand, lower cord: Join navy in the moon’s marked 37th sc and ch 20 (4 in / 10.2 cm). Mark ch 5 for a bead and ch 14 for a star. Put the teardrop at ch 20.

Stitch-to-stitch logic: Sew each bead and star with its center over its marked chain. Make 3 small stitches through the cord itself so the piece can’t slide. Sew the top of each teardrop around the last chain.

Tension: Chain evenly and don’t stretch the cord while you measure. A tight cord twists, and a loose one sags under the moon’s weight.

Size checkpoint: The strands are 3 in (7.6 cm) apart. The outer strands sit 2.25 in (5.7 cm) in from each edge: 2.25 + (10 x 3) + 2.25 = 34.5 in. That fits the 34.7 in header, because the extra 0.2 in (0.5 cm) comes from the single edge stitch and the side edging. A star strand is about 15.2 in (38.6 cm) long and a moon strand about 14 in (35.6 cm).

Final Blocking

  1. Weave in all the ends before you block.
  2. Pin the header flat to 34.7 in x 3.5 in (88.1 x 8.9 cm).
  3. Pin out each ch-4 picot so the scallops are even.
  4. Pin each moon to 4.5 in x 2.75 in (11.4 x 7.0 cm), with a pin at each tip.
  5. Pin the five star points open.
  6. Mist everything until it’s damp, but not soaked.
  7. Let it dry completely, then unpin.
  8. Hang the valance and let the strands settle for a day.

Final Quality-Control Checklist

  • The header is 208 sts wide, with 23 even scallops.
  • There are 23 puffs, each one centered above a scallop.
  • 11 strands hang from the picots of scallops 2 through 22.
  • Star strands and moon strands alternate, starting and ending with a star strand.
  • Each moon has its 72-sc outline intact and sharp tips.
  • Beads and stars are sewn through the cord and don’t slide.
  • All 11 teardrops are firmly stuffed and secured.

Troubleshooting

  • The header ruffles: Your Row 6 sts are too loose. Work 2 sc per space with a tighter hand, or go down a hook size for Row 6 only.
  • The moon is flat, not curved: The tr in Row 2 are too short. Pull each one up fully, or work (tr, ch 3) instead.
  • The moon curls too much: Your Rnd 4 outer sc are tight. Loosen your tension along the outer edge.
  • The star points flop: Pull the ring tighter and pin the points firmly when you block.
  • The strands twist: Spritz and hang them with a light weight overnight.
  • The scallops lean: Count your skips. Each shell needs exactly 3 skipped sts on each side.

Care

Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, press out the water in a towel and lay flat to dry. Reshape the moons and stars while they’re damp.

Navy and cream crocheted window valance with dangling moons, stars, and beads hanging on a bright window overlooking green foliage.

Final Notes

Here’s the measurement chain from start to finish:

  • Row 1 has 21 sc, measuring 3.5 in (8.9 cm), which gives a 4.5 in (11.4 cm) moon.
  • 208 header sts give a 34.7 in (88.1 cm) band and 23 scallops of 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
  • Every second scallop holds a strand, so the strands are 3 in (7.6 cm) apart.
  • The cords are 70, 24 and 20 ch, so the full drop is 18.7 in (47.5 cm).

If your gauge is right at the start, every number after it falls into place.

Happy crocheting!

Leave a Comment