This hanging curtain turns a plain window into a soft, lacy screen. Eleven strands of round lace medallions and openwork dragonflies hang from a wooden rod. A single pearl sits between each pair of motifs, and each strand ends in a full teal tassel.
Every piece is worked in one deep teal cotton thread and paired with ivory or champagne 10 mm pearls. The style is boho with a vintage lace feel. This pattern uses US crochet terms.
The finished curtain measures 49.25 in (125.1 cm) wide and 51.5 in (130.8 cm) long, including tabs and tassels.
You make the medallions, dragonfly bodies and wings as separate pieces, then sew the wings onto the bodies. Next, you join the motifs into strands with short pearl links. Each strand gets a top tab and a bottom tassel.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 49.25 in (125.1 cm) wide x 51.5 in (130.8 cm) long
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Size 3 crochet cotton thread (Lace / 0)
- Hook: 2.25 mm (US B-1)
- Number of pieces: 77 medallions, 66 dragonflies (each 1 body + 4 wings), 11 tabs, 11 tassels
- Layout: 11 strands; each has 7 medallions and 6 dragonflies, alternating
- Piece size: medallion 2 in (5.1 cm) across; dragonfly 3 in (7.6 cm) long x 4.25 in (10.8 cm) wingspan
- Size before border: each linked strand is 44 in (111.8 cm) long
- Border depth: the top tab adds 1.5 in (3.8 cm); the bottom link and tassel add 6 in (15.2 cm)
Materials
Use mercerized size 3 cotton thread. It holds crisp picots, blocks well and resists stretching while hanging.
- Teal (only color): 750 g, about 2,055 m (15 balls of 50 g / 137 m)
- Pearls: 150 ivory or champagne 10 mm pearls (you need 143), with holes that fit the thread
- 2.25 mm (US B-1) hook
- Big-eye beading needle
- Tapestry needle and scissors
- Stiff card, 5.5 in (14.0 cm) tall, for the tassels
- Wooden rod, 1 in (2.5 cm) diameter, at least 52 in (132.1 cm) long
- Rust-proof pins, blocking board, spray bottle, optional spray starch
The project uses about 660 g. The quantities above include a margin of about 14% for swatching and tassel trimming.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sp(s): space(s)
- sk: skip
Special stitches
- Picot: ch 3, then sl st in the top of the sc just made.
- Popcorn: Work 5 dc in the same st and drop the loop from the hook. Insert the hook front to back in the first dc, pull the dropped loop through, then ch 1 to close. Counts as 1 st.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 9 sc and 10 sc rows = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Test one medallion first. It controls the strand length more than any other piece.
- After Rnd 1: 0.75 in (1.9 cm) across
- After Rnd 2: 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
- After Rnd 3: 1.6 in (4.1 cm)
- After Rnd 4: 2 in (5.1 cm), measured picot tip to picot tip
Then test one dragonfly:
- Body: 3 in (7.6 cm) long, including the head
- Upper wing: 2 in (5.1 cm) x 1.2 in (3.0 cm)
- Lower wing: 1.75 in (4.4 cm) x 1 in (2.5 cm)
If the medallion is too big, use a 2.0 mm hook. If it is too small, use a 2.5 mm hook. An error of 0.1 in (0.3 cm) per medallion adds up to 0.7 in (1.8 cm) per strand.
Medallion (Make 77)
Ch 6, then sl st in the first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 15 dc in ring, sl st in top of beginning ch-3. (16 dc)
Rnd 2: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), *dc in next st, ch 2; repeat from * 14 more times, sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch-5. (16 dc spokes, 16 ch-2 sps)
Rnd 3: Sl st in first ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same sp, 3 dc in each remaining ch-2 sp, sl st in top of beginning ch-3. This is a conversion round: 3 dc in each of 16 sps = 48 dc. You do not work into the spoke dc, so the open ring stays visible.
Rnd 4 (picot trim): Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, (sc, picot) in next st; repeat from * 15 more times, sl st in first sc. This is a trim round: 48 sc (1 per existing st) + 16 picots added.
Fasten off. Picot 1 (the first one made) is the top hanging point. Picot 9 is the bottom hanging point, directly opposite.
Dragonfly (Make 66)
Body
Ch 26.
Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 23 ch, then 3 sc in last ch (head end). Working along the opposite side of the foundation, sc in next 23 ch, then 2 sc in the last ch (the same ch as the first sc). Sl st in first sc. (24 + 3 + 23 + 2 = 52 sc)
Rnd 2 (shaping): Ch 1, then work around as follows:
- sl st in next 14 sts (tail)
- sc in next 10 sts (thorax)
- (sc, picot) in next st, popcorn in next st, (sc, picot) in next st (head and eyes)
- sc in next 10 sts (thorax)
- sl st in next 13 sts (tail), then sl st in last 2 sts (tail tip)
- sl st in first sl st
This is a conversion round: 52 sts (1 per existing st; the popcorn counts as 1) + 2 eye picots added.
The tail stays 0.15 in (0.4 cm) wide and the thorax becomes 0.25 in (0.6 cm) wide. Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
Tail bands: With the long tail, wrap the tail section tightly 3 times at each of 5 points. Space the points 0.25 in (0.6 cm) apart, starting 0.25 in (0.6 cm) below the thorax. Weave in.
Upper Wing (Make 2 per dragonfly)
Ch 16.
Rnd 1 (vein): Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 11 ch, 5 dc in last ch (tip). Working along the opposite side, hdc in next ch, dc in next 11 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch (the same ch as the first sc), sl st in first sc.
Wait — corrected order for side 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 11 ch, hdc in next ch, then 5 dc in last ch. (14 + 5 + 14 = 33 sts)
Rnd 2 (mesh): Ch 1, sc in same st, *ch 3, sk next st, sc in next st; repeat from * 15 more times, sl st in first sc. (17 sc, 16 ch-3 loops) The last sc sits beside the first, so the wing base stays closed.
Rnd 3 (outline): Sl st in first loop, ch 1, 4 sc in each ch-3 loop, sl st in first sc. (16 x 4 = 64 sc)
Fasten off, leaving an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail.
Lower Wing (Make 2 per dragonfly)
Ch 13.
Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 8 ch, hdc in next ch, then 5 dc in last ch. Working along the opposite side, hdc in next ch, dc in next 8 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch (the same ch as the first sc), sl st in first sc. (11 + 5 + 11 = 27 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, *ch 3, sk next st, sc in next st; repeat from * 12 more times, sl st in first sc. (14 sc, 13 ch-3 loops)
Rnd 3: Sl st in first loop, ch 1, 4 sc in each loop, sl st in first sc. (13 x 4 = 52 sc)
Fasten off, leaving an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail.
Assemble
Block the wings flat first. Count the thorax sc on each side starting from the head.
- Sew the upper wings to thorax sc 3–5 on each side.
- Sew the lower wings to thorax sc 7–9 on each side.
- Angle the upper wings slightly toward the head and the lower wings slightly toward the tail.
Checkpoint: the wingspan is 2 in + 0.25 in + 2 in = 4.25 in (10.8 cm).
Make All Pieces
Each strand needs 7 medallions, 6 dragonflies, 1 tab, 1 tassel and 13 pearls.
Totals (teal): 77 medallions, 66 bodies, 132 upper wings, 132 lower wings, 11 tabs and 11 tassels, plus 143 pearls.
Layout grid. Each row runs across all 11 strands; T = tab, M = medallion, D = dragonfly, X = tassel:
Row 1: T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T
Row 2: M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M
Row 3: D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D
Row 4: M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M
Row 5: D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D
Row 6: M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M
Row 7: D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D
Row 8: M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M
Row 9: D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D
Row 10: M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M
Row 11: D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D
Row 12: M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M
Row 13: D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D
Row 14: M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M
Row 15: X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Joining: Pearl Links
Each strand has 12 links between motifs, and each link is ch 3, pearl, ch 3.
Joining points:
- Medallion: picot 1 at the top, picot 9 at the bottom
- Dragonfly: the top of the popcorn head at the top, the 2 tail-tip sl sts at the bottom
Make one link:
- String 1 pearl onto the thread.
- Sl st into the bottom point of the upper motif.
- Ch 3, slide the pearl up to the hook, then ch 3. This locks the pearl in place.
- Sl st into the top point of the lower motif. Fasten off and weave the ends into the chains.
Join the motifs in this order: M, D, M, D, M, D, M, D, M, D, M, D, M.
Bottom link: String 1 pearl. Join at picot 9 of the last medallion, ch 3, slide the pearl up, ch 3, then ch 4 more. Sl st in the 4th ch from hook to form a ring.
Tension: Keep the chains relaxed and even. Each link must measure 1 in (2.5 cm) from motif edge to motif edge, including the pearl. If links vary, the dragonflies won’t line up across strands.
Size checkpoint: each strand of motifs measures 14 in + 18 in + 12 in = 44 in (111.8 cm). Lay all 11 strands side by side and confirm that the rows align.
Border: Top Tabs and Tassels
On this curtain, the border is the edge finishing at the top and bottom of each strand.
Border gauge: 9 sc and 10 rows = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Top Tab (Make 11)
Ch 6.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (5 sc)
Rows 2–40: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (5 sc)
The tab measures 0.55 in (1.4 cm) x 4 in (10.2 cm). Do not fasten off.
Attach: Fold the tab in half, with the last row over the foundation chain. Working through both layers, sl st in next 2 sts. Sl st in the next st while also catching picot 1 of the top medallion, then sl st in the last 2 sts. (5 sl sts) Fasten off.
Tassel (Make 11)
- Wrap the thread 60 times around the 5.5 in (14.0 cm) card.
- Pass a 10 in (25.4 cm) length of thread under the top of the wraps and through the bottom ring of the strand, then tie it tightly.
- Slide the bundle off the card. Wrap it 8 times, 0.5 in (1.3 cm) below the top, and knot. Bury the ends inside the tassel.
- Cut the bottom loops and trim the tassel to 5 in (12.7 cm).
Counts per Edge
- Top edge: 11 tabs x 5 sc = 55 tab sts, spaced 4.5 in (11.4 cm) center to center.
- Bottom edge: 11 rings x 1 tassel = 11 tassels of 60 wraps each.
Why the math works: The 1 in (2.5 cm) rod is about 3.1 in (7.9 cm) around. The 4 in (10.2 cm) tab leaves 0.9 in (2.3 cm) of ease, so it slides freely and drops 1.5 in (3.8 cm) below the top of the rod. For the width, 10 gaps x 4.5 in + one 4.25 in wingspan = 49.25 in (125.1 cm), which leaves 0.25 in (0.6 cm) between neighboring wing tips. For the length, 1.5 in + 44 in + 1 in + 5 in = 51.5 in (130.8 cm).
Final Blocking
- Pin each medallion to a 2 in (5.1 cm) circle, opening every picot.
- Pin each dragonfly flat, with the wing loops open and the tail straight.
- Mist until damp. Starch the wings lightly if you want them crisp.
- Let everything dry completely before unpinning.
- Hang the strands, mist them lightly and let the tassels straighten them.
- Steam the tassels, then comb them and re-trim to 5 in (12.7 cm).
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each medallion is 2 in (5.1 cm) with 16 open picots.
- Each dragonfly is 3 in (7.6 cm) long with a 4.25 in (10.8 cm) wingspan.
- Every link is 1 in (2.5 cm) and holds one pearl.
- Each strand has 7 medallions, 6 dragonflies and 13 pearls.
- The motif rows line up across all 11 strands.
- The tabs slide freely and the tassels are even.
- All ends are woven in.
Troubleshooting
Medallion cups: Rnd 3 is tight. Loosen your dc or go up a hook size.
Medallion ruffles: Work Rnd 4 with a hook one size smaller.
Wings twist: Re-block with starch and check that every Rnd 2 loop is ch 3.
Dragonfly tips forward: Move the upper wings closer to the head.
Rows don’t align: Remake any link that isn’t 1 in (2.5 cm).
Pearl slides: Keep the chains snug against both sides of the bead.
Care
Dust gently. Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, roll in a towel, and re-block flat before rehanging.
Final Notes
Here is the measurement chain. A 2 in (5.1 cm) medallion and a 3 in (7.6 cm) dragonfly, joined with 1 in (2.5 cm) pearl links, make a 44 in (111.8 cm) strand. The 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tab drop, 1 in (2.5 cm) bottom link and 5 in (12.7 cm) tassel bring each strand to 51.5 in (130.8 cm). Eleven strands spaced 4.5 in (11.4 cm) apart make the curtain 49.25 in (125.1 cm) wide. Check your first medallion, your first dragonfly and your first few links, and the rest will follow.
Happy crocheting!