The Sweetheart Garden Valance is a romantic window topper. It has a lacy scalloped band with 13 strands hanging from it, made of hearts, round beads, cream flowers and small teardrop leaves. Light comes through between the strands, so it decorates a window without darkening the room.
The colors are deep burgundy, dusty pink and soft cream. The band mixes burgundy and pink lace rows with a row of burgundy puff stitches. Each heart has a pink center and a burgundy frame, and the cream flowers keep the strands from looking too heavy.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished band measures 36.25 in (92.1 cm) wide by 4 in (10.2 cm) deep. Each strand hangs 20 in (50.8 cm), and the full drop is about 23.5 in (59.7 cm).
You crochet the band in rows and add a scalloped border along the bottom and hanging loops along the top. Then you make 84 small motifs. Finally, you join them into strands with pink chain links that hang from the 13 points where the scallops meet.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished band: 36.25 in x 4 in (92.1 cm x 10.2 cm)
- Strand length: 20 in (50.8 cm) each
- Total drop: about 23.5 in (59.7 cm), plus 1.25 in (3.2 cm) hanging loops
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6)
- Number of pieces: 1 band + 84 motifs, assembled into 13 strands
- Layout: 13 strands spaced 3 in (7.6 cm) apart, alternating heart and flower strands
- Band size before border: 36.25 in x 2.5 in (92.1 cm x 6.4 cm)
- Border depth: 1.25 in (3.2 cm) at the bottom, 0.25 in (0.6 cm) at the top
Materials
Use a smooth, mercerized or matte worsted cotton. Cotton gives crisp stitch definition, holds the hearts flat and won’t stretch much when hanging. Avoid fuzzy acrylics, which hide the lace.
- Color A, Burgundy: 200 g (about 310 m)
- Color B, Dusty Pink: 100 g (about 155 m)
- Color C, Cream: 50 g (about 78 m)
Tools:
- 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- About 20 g polyester fiberfill
- Stitch markers
- Rust-proof pins and a blocking surface
- Measuring tape
These quantities include a margin of about 15–20% for gauge differences and the gauge swatch.
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
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
Special stitches
- Puff st: (Yarn over, insert hook in st, pull up a loop to dc height) 3 times, yarn over, pull through all 7 loops. Counts as 1 st.
- Picot: Ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook.
- Surface sl st: Hold the working yarn behind the piece, insert the hook from front to back through the fabric, pull up a loop and draw it through the loop on the hook.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 dc and 8 dc rows = 4 in (10.2 cm). Sc rows measure about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) each, and 4 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Test before you start the full band. Work a swatch of 25 sts (2 scallop repeats + 1), following Rows 1–6 and the bottom border.
- Swatch width: 25 sts = 6.25 in (15.9 cm)
- Swatch depth after Row 6: 2.5 in (6.4 cm)
- Bead: 1 in (2.5 cm) across
- Heart: 3 in (7.6 cm) wide x 2.75 in (7.0 cm) tall
- Flower: 1.75 in (4.4 cm) across
- Leaf: 2 in (5.1 cm) long x 1 in (2.5 cm) wide
If your swatch is too wide, go down one hook size. If it’s too narrow, go up one size. A difference of just 0.25 in (0.6 cm) across 25 sts adds up to about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across the full band.
The Valance Band
The foundation chain is the top edge, and the rows work downward.
Foundation: With A, ch 146.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (145 sc)
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across, turn. (145 dc)
Change to B.
Row 3: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), sk next st, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk next st, dc in next st; repeat from * across, turn. (73 dc + 72 ch-1 sps = 145 sts)
Row 4: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each ch-1 sp and each dc across, turn. (145 dc)
Change to A.
Row 5: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 5 sts, *puff st in next st, dc in next 11 sts; repeat from * 10 more times, puff st in next st, dc in last 6 sts, turn. (12 puff sts + 133 dc = 145 sts)
The puffs fall on sts 7, 19, 31 and so on through 139, which places each one directly above the center of a scallop.
Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (145 sc) Don’t fasten off yet.
Checkpoint: The band should measure 36.25 in x 2.5 in (92.1 cm x 6.4 cm). Fasten off A.
Motifs
Bead (make 39, color A)
Rnd 1: Magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6 sc)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st. (12 sc)
Rnds 3–4: Sc in each st. (12 sc)
Stuff the bead firmly.
Rnd 5: Sc2tog 6 times. (6 sts)
Fasten off and close the hole. You should have a 1 in (2.5 cm) ball with a small opening at each end. These openings are the top and bottom of the bead.
Flower (make 18, color C)
Rnd 1: Magic ring, 10 sc in ring, sl st to first sc. (10 sc)
Rnd 2: *(Hdc, 2 dc, hdc) in next st, sl st in next st; repeat from * 4 more times. (5 petals, 4 sts each)
Fasten off. The flower measures 1.75 in (4.4 cm).
Heart (make 14)
Rnd 1 (B): Magic ring, ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc in ring, sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc)
Rnd 2 (B): Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, sl st to top of ch-3. (24 dc) Fasten off B.
Rnd 3 (A): Number the sts 1–24, starting from the ch-3. Join A with a sl st in st 1. This is the top dip of the heart.
– (Hdc, dc) in st 2
– 2 tr in each of sts 3–5
– 2 dc in each of sts 6–7
– Dc in st 8
– Hdc in each of sts 9–11
– Dc in st 12
– (Tr, ch 2, tr) in st 13 for the point
– Dc in st 14
– Hdc in each of sts 15–17
– Dc in st 18
– 2 dc in each of sts 19–20
– 2 tr in each of sts 21–23
– (Dc, hdc) in st 24
– Sl st in the joining sl st
That gives 17 sts on each half, plus the 2 point tr and the ch-2 sp. (36 sts)
Rnd 4 (A): Ch 1, sc in each of next 17 sts, sc in tr, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, sc in tr, sc in each of next 17 sts, sl st in top dip. (38 sc + ch-2 sp)
Checkpoint: The heart measures 3 in x 2.75 in (7.6 cm x 7.0 cm). The two lobes should round out and the sides should run in a straight line down to the point. That shape comes from the tr and hdc in Rnd 3.
Leaf (make 13, color A)
Ch 9. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 3 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, (sc, ch 2, sc) in last ch for the tip. Working along the other side of the chain, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 3 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch, sl st to first sc. (16 sts + ch-2 tip)
The chain end at the start is the top of the leaf. The leaf measures 2 in x 1 in (5.1 cm x 2.5 cm).
Make All Pieces
| Motif | Color(s) | Heart strands (x7) | Flower strands (x6) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bead | A | 3 each = 21 | 3 each = 18 | 39 |
| Heart | B + A | 2 each = 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Flower | C | 0 | 3 each = 18 | 18 |
| Leaf | A | 1 each = 7 | 1 each = 6 | 13 |
Layout (left to right, 3 in / 7.6 cm apart):
Junction: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Strand: H F H F H F H F H F H F H
H = heart strand, F = flower strand. Both ends of the band carry heart strands.
Border
The border uses the band gauge: 4 sts = 1 in (2.5 cm). Every border row starts from the 145 sts of Row 6.
Why the math works: 145 = (12 repeats x 12 sts) + 1. Each scallop uses exactly 12 sts. That puts the 13 junctions (the points where scallops meet) on sts 1, 13, 25 and so on through 145. These are the same sts that carry the hanging loops and strands, so loops, junctions and strands line up vertically.
Bottom Border (B)
Join B in the last st of Row 6 and work along the bottom edge.
Border Row 1: Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 3, sk 2 sts, sc in next st; repeat from * across, turn. (49 sc + 48 ch-3 sps; 1 + 48 x 3 = 145 sts used)
Border Row 2: Ch 1, sl st in first sc, *sc in next ch-3 sp, 7 dc in next ch-3 sp, 7 dc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next ch-3 sp, sl st in next sc; repeat from * 11 more times, turn. (12 scallops of 16 sts each = 192 sts + 13 junction sl sts)
Border Row 3 (trim): Ch 1, sl st in first sl st, *sc in next 8 sts, picot, sc in next 8 sts, sl st in next sl st; repeat from * 11 more times. Fasten off.
Row 3 count: 192 sc worked 1-per-st + 12 picots added = 204 sts, plus 13 junction sl sts.
The bottom border adds 1.25 in (3.2 cm) at the scallop centers. The width stays 36.25 in (92.1 cm).
Top Border (A)
With RS facing, join A in the first free loop of the foundation chain.
Top Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each foundation loop across, turn. (145 sc)
Top Row 2: Ch 1, sl st in first st, ch 10, sl st in same st, *sl st in next 12 sts, ch 10, sl st in same st; repeat from * 11 more times. (145 sl sts + 13 hanging loops)
Fasten off. Keep the sl sts loose so the top edge doesn’t pull in.
Checkpoint: The band measures 36.25 in x 4 in (92.1 cm x 10.2 cm). The loops hang 1.25 in (3.2 cm) above it.
Joining the Strands
Each strand is a continuous B chain cord. It starts at a junction sl st from Border Row 3 and runs through each motif in turn, from top to bottom.
How the cord passes each motif:
– Bead: Sl st into the top opening. Push the hook straight down through the stuffing and out the bottom opening, yarn over and draw the loop back up through the bead. Continue chaining.
– Heart: Sl st into the top dip from the front. With WS facing, work 9 surface sl sts down the center line. Finish with a sl st into the ch-2 point sp.
– Flower: Sl st into the center dc of the top petal. Work 6 surface sl sts down the WS through the center. Finish with a sl st into the sl st between the two bottom petals.
– Leaf: Sl st into the top st of the leaf and fasten off. Weave the end down the WS.
Heart strand (junctions 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13): Join B with a sl st in the junction sl st, then:
– Ch 8, bead
– Ch 6, heart
– Ch 6, bead
– Ch 6, heart
– Ch 6, bead
– Ch 6, leaf
Length: 2 in (5.1 cm) + 5 x 1.5 in (3.8 cm) of chain + 10.5 in (26.7 cm) of motifs = 20 in (50.8 cm).
Flower strand (junctions 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12): Join B with a sl st in the junction sl st, then:
– Ch 9, bead
– Ch 5, flower
– Ch 5, bead
– Ch 5, flower
– Ch 5, bead
– Ch 5, flower
– Ch 5, leaf
Length: 2.25 in (5.7 cm) + 6 x 1.25 in (3.2 cm) of chain + 10.25 in (26.0 cm) of motifs = 20 in (50.8 cm).
Tension: Chain at your usual gauge, 4 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm). If you chain tightly, the strands come out short and the motifs crowd together.
Checkpoint: After every few strands, hang the band and compare them. All the leaf tips should end within 0.5 in (1.3 cm) of each other.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends inside the beads or along the WS of the flat motifs.
- Soak the valance in cool water for 10 minutes. Gently press out the water and roll it in a towel.
- Pin the band flat to 36.25 in x 4 in (92.1 cm x 10.2 cm), keeping the edges straight.
- Pin each scallop into a smooth curve with its picot pointing down.
- Pin each heart to 3 in x 2.75 in (7.6 cm x 7.0 cm), with sharp lobes and a pointed tip.
- Open the flower petals and pin the leaf tips.
- Let everything dry completely. Then hang the valance and check that every strand hangs straight.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Band is 36.25 in (92.1 cm) wide and 4 in (10.2 cm) deep
- 12 scallops, each with a centered picot
- 12 puffs, each above the center of a scallop
- 13 hanging loops, each above a junction
- 13 strands in the H/F alternating order, with heart strands at both ends
- All strands are 20 in (50.8 cm) long
- Beads are firm, round and evenly stuffed
- No ends or surface sl sts show on the RS
Troubleshooting
- Band is wider than 36.25 in (92.1 cm): Your foundation is loose. Go down one hook size for the foundation only.
- Scallops lie flat: Make sure you put 7 dc in each of the two center sps.
- Puffs don’t line up with the scallops: Recount Row 5. The first puff goes in st 7.
- Hearts look round: Use the tr on the lobes and the hdc on the lower sides exactly as written.
- Strands twist: Hang each strand with a clothespin on the leaf while it dries.
- Stuffing shows through the beads: Use a smaller hook for the beads, or use less stuffing.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap and dry flat. Don’t wring the valance, and don’t hang it while wet, or the strands will stretch.
Final Notes
Every measurement in this pattern builds on the one before it. A gauge of 16 dc = 4 in (10.2 cm) gives a 145-st band that is 36.25 in (92.1 cm) wide and 2.5 in (6.4 cm) deep. The border brings it to 4 in (10.2 cm) deep. The 12-st scallops place the 13 junctions 3 in (7.6 cm) apart, and the counted chain links make every strand exactly 20 in (50.8 cm) long. If you check your gauge once and count your stitches along the way, the finished valance will hang evenly.
Happy crocheting!