This window valance looks like a little ballet recital. A brown lace header holds eleven chain strands. Five of the strands carry two ballerinas each. The six strands between them carry cream bows and small brown teardrops.
The colors are chocolate brown, cream, and light tan. Each ballerina has a domed head, a small bodice, arms raised in a corded arch, and a flared chevron skirt with four pointed hem tips. The header is round “wheel” lace edged with deep cream scallops.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished curtain is 33¼ in (84.5 cm) wide and 24 in (61.0 cm) long, including a 3 in (7.6 cm) header.
You’ll crochet the motifs first and link them into strands with chains. Then you’ll make the header as one strip and sew each strand to a scallop tip.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 33¼ in (84.5 cm) wide × 24 in (61.0 cm) long
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: DK (#3) cotton
- Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6)
- Number of pieces: 35 (10 ballerinas, 12 bows, 12 teardrops, 1 header strip), plus chain strands
- Layout: 11 strands, alternating bow strands and ballerina strands, with bow strands at both ends
- Ballerina size: 8 in (20.3 cm) tall × 4 in (10.2 cm) across the skirt hem
- Bow size: 2 in (5.1 cm) wide × 1¼ in (3.2 cm) tall
- Teardrop size: 1½ in (3.8 cm) tall × 1¼ in (3.2 cm) wide
- Size before border (strands only): 21 in (53.3 cm) long
- Border (header) depth: 3 in (7.6 cm)
Materials
Use a smooth, mercerized DK cotton. It shows the stripes and the lace clearly, and it won’t stretch much under the weight of the ballerinas.
- Chocolate brown (A): 150 g, about 330 m
- Cream (B): 110 g, about 242 m
- Light tan (C): 30 g, about 66 m
These quantities include a margin of about 15% for swatching and weaving in ends.
Tools:
- 4.0 mm (US G-6) hook
- Tapestry needle
- 8 locking stitch markers
- A little fiberfill
- 12 curtain rings, 1½ in (3.8 cm) across
- A curtain rod at least 36 in (91.4 cm) long
- Scissors, rust-proof pins, and a blocking mat
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sk: skip
- st(s): stitch(es)
- MR: magic ring
- RS: right side
- sc2tog: single crochet 2 together
- hdc2tog: (yarn over, insert hook in next st, pull up a loop) twice, yarn over, pull through all 5 loops
- hdc3tog: (yarn over, insert hook in next st, pull up a loop) 3 times, yarn over, pull through all 7 loops
Special stitch (shell): 5 dc in the same stitch.
Gauge and Checkpoints
- 16 sc and 20 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- 16 hdc and 12 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- 10 ch = 2 in (5.1 cm) for the strand chains
Make one complete ballerina first and check it as you go:
- Head: 1½ in (3.8 cm) across after joining
- Bodice: 1¾ in (4.4 cm) wide at the shoulders and 1⅜ in (3.6 cm) tall
- Skirt: 2½ in (6.4 cm) long at center front and 4 in (10.2 cm) across the hem after blocking
- Whole ballerina: 8 in (20.3 cm) from the top of the hanging loop to the toe
If your ballerina is too big, go down 0.5 mm in hook size. If it’s too small, go up 0.5 mm. Skirt width matters most, because a wider skirt will crowd the strands next to it.
Ballerina (Make 10)
Head
Front (A):
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st. (12)
Rnd 3: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) 6 times. (18)
Rnd 4: sc in each st. (18) This round domes the head. Fasten off.
Back (A): Work Rnds 1–3. (18) Don’t fasten off.
Joining round: Place the two pieces wrong sides together with the front facing you. Working through both layers, sc in each st around. Add a pinch of fiberfill before you close the round. (18) Fasten off.
Bodice
The bodice is worked downward from the head.
Row 1: With the front of the head facing, join A in the bottom st of the joining round. ch 1, sc in the same st and the next 2 sts. (3)
Row 2: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in next, 2 sc in last. (5)
Row 3: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 3, 2 sc in last. (7) This row is the shoulders.
Row 4: ch 1, turn, sc in each st. (7)
Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in next 3, sc2tog. (5)
Rows 6–7: ch 1, turn, sc in each st. (5) Row 7 is the waist. Fasten off.
Arms and Hanging Loop
Row 1: Join A at the right end of Row 3. ch 34, bring the chain up around the head, and sl st into the left end of Row 3.
Row 2: Turn, sc in each ch. (34) sl st into the right shoulder. Fasten off.
Hanging loop: Join A in the 17th sc (the top center). ch 6, then sl st in the 18th sc.
Shape the arch: On the back, tack the 15th sc to the 20th sc. This brings the hands together into a point under the loop.
Skirt
The skirt is worked downward from the waist. From Row 3 on, cut the yarn at the end of each row and rejoin at the right edge with the RS facing. This keeps the stripes crisp on the front. The ch 2 at the start of a row doesn’t count as a stitch.
Row 1 (B): Join B in the first st of bodice Row 7. ch 2, 2 hdc in each st. (10)
Row 2 (B): ch 2, turn, 2 hdc in each st. (20) Fasten off.
Row 3 (C): ch 2, (hdc in next 2, 3 hdc in next, hdc in next 2) 4 times. (28) Mark the center hdc of each 3-hdc group. These are the 4 peaks.
Row 4 (B): ch 2, hdc in first 3, 3 hdc in next (peak), hdc in next 2, hdc2tog, hdc in next 2, 3 hdc in next (peak), hdc in next 2, hdc2tog twice, hdc in next 2, 3 hdc in next (peak), hdc in last 3. (33) Move the peak markers up and mark each hdc2tog. These are the 3 valleys.
Row 5 (C): ch 2, hdc in each st to the peak, 3 hdc in the peak, hdc in each st to 1 st before the valley, hdc3tog centered on the valley, hdc in each st to the next peak, 3 hdc in the peak 3 times, hdc in each remaining st. (35) Move the markers up.
Row 6 (B): Repeat Row 5. (37)
Row 7 (C): Repeat Row 5. (39)
From Row 5 on, each row adds 8 sts at the peaks and removes 6 at the valleys. That gain of 2 per row makes the skirt flare while the chevrons stay sharp.
Row 8 (B, trim row): ch 1, sc in each st across, working (sc, ch 1, sc) in each peak st. 39 sts worked 1 per stitch + 4 extra = 43 sc, plus 4 ch-1 tips. Fasten off.
Legs (Make 2 per Ballerina)
With A, ch 11. sl st in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in next 2, hdc in next 3, dc in next 4. (10) Each leg is 2½ in (6.4 cm) long and tapers to a point.
Sew the two legs together along their inner edges. Sew the dc ends to the back of the skirt at center, overlapping ¾ in (1.9 cm), so 1¾ in (4.4 cm) of leg shows below the hem.
Bow (Make 12)
Ring: With B, ch 16 and sl st to the first ch.
Rnd 1: ch 1, sc in each ch. (16) Join.
Rnd 2: ch 1, sc in each st. (16) Join and fasten off.
Tails: With B, ch 7. sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the next 5 chs. (6) Fold into a V.
Assemble: Flatten the ring with the join at the back center, and place the tails behind it. Wrap B tightly around the center 8 times and knot at the back. The bow should be 2 in (5.1 cm) wide.
Teardrop (Make 12)
Halves (A, make 2 per teardrop):
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st. (12)
Rnd 3: (sc in next, 2 sc in next) 6 times. (18) Fasten off the first half only.
Rnd 4 (through both layers): sc in next 8, hdc in next, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next, hdc in next, sc in next 7. Stuff lightly before you close the round. (19 sts + ch-2 tip) The tip is the top of the teardrop.
Make All Pieces
- A (brown): 10 heads, bodices, arm cords, and leg pairs; 12 teardrops; all strand chains; header Rows 1–5
- B (cream): 10 skirts (Rows 1, 2, 4, 6, 8); 12 bows; header Rows 6–7
- C (tan): 10 skirts (Rows 3, 5, 7)
Layout grid (W = bow, T = teardrop, D = ballerina; read top to bottom):
Strand: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
W D W D W D W D W D W
T T T T T T
W D W D W D W D W D W
T T T T T T
Each bow sits beside a ballerina’s arms, and each teardrop sits beside a skirt.
Joining
The motifs are linked with A chains. Each sl st into a loop or tip is a joint. All chain counts assume 10 ch = 2 in (5.1 cm).
Ballerina strand (make 5):
- Join A in a ballerina’s hanging loop. ch 10 (2 in / 5.1 cm) and fasten off, leaving an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail.
- Join A at the toe point. ch 15 (3 in / 7.6 cm) and sl st into the second ballerina’s hanging loop. Fasten off.
The strand totals 2 + 8 + 3 + 8 = 21 in (53.3 cm).
Bow strand (make 6):
- Leave an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail. ch 25 (5 in / 12.7 cm), then sl st around the center wrap at the back of a bow.
- ch 10 (2 in / 5.1 cm), sl st into a teardrop’s ch-2 tip, and fasten off.
- Join A in the Rnd 4 sc opposite the tip. ch 40 (8 in / 20.3 cm), then sl st around the second bow’s center wrap.
- ch 10, sl st into the second teardrop’s tip, and fasten off.
The strand totals 5 + 2 + 1½ + 8 + 2 + 1½ = 20 in (50.8 cm). The last teardrop ends 1 in (2.5 cm) above the lowest toes.
Tension: Chain firmly and evenly, because loose chains stretch. Measure each chain before you join it.
Checkpoint: Let each strand hang for a minute, then measure it. Ballerina strands should be 21 in (53.3 cm) and bow strands 20 in (50.8 cm). All strands should be within ¼ in (0.6 cm) of these lengths.
Border (Lace Header)
Border gauge: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm). The header is a straight strip, and the counts below are for its long edges.
Row 1 (A): ch 134, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (133)
Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in each st. (133) Checkpoint: the strip should be 33¼ in (84.5 cm) wide.
Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in first st, sk 2, shell in next, sk 2, sc in next 22 times. (22 shells + 23 sc = 133)
Row 4: ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, 2 dc in first sc, sc in center dc of shell, shell in next sc 21 times, sc in center of last shell, 3 dc in last sc. (3 + 21 shells + 22 sc + 3 = 133) The offset shells form the round lace wheels.
Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in each st. (133) Fasten off. The brown band is 1¾ in (4.4 cm) deep.
Row 6 (B): Join B, ch 1, sc in first st, sk 5, 11 dc in next, sk 5, sc in next 11 times. (11 scallops × 11 dc + 12 sc = 133)
Row 7 (B, trim row): ch 1, turn, sc in first sc, sc in next 5 dc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next dc, sc in next 5 dc, sc in next sc 11 times. 133 sts worked 1 per stitch + 11 extra = 144 sc, plus 11 ch-2 tips. Fasten off. The header is 3 in (7.6 cm) deep at the tips.
Why the math works: Each strand gets one 12-stitch scallop repeat, so 11 × 12 + 1 closing st = 133. That count holds from Row 1 through Row 6. The Row 6 sc sit at sts 1, 13, 25, and so on through 133, and these are the ring positions. The tips fall halfway between them, every 3 in (7.6 cm). That puts the ballerinas 6 in (15.2 cm) apart, leaving room for their 4 in (10.2 cm) skirts.
Attach: Sew each strand tail to one ch-2 tip, following the grid. Then sew a ring at each of sts 1, 13, 25, 37, 49, 61, 73, 85, 97, 109, 121, and 133. (12 rings)
Final Blocking
- Soak all the pieces in cool water and press out the excess.
- Pin the header to 33¼ in (84.5 cm) wide, with each scallop tip pointed.
- Pin each skirt to 4 in (10.2 cm) across, with its 4 hem tips pointed.
- Shape the arches into ovals, shape the bows, and fluff the teardrops.
- Let the strands hang straight without stretching them, and let everything dry completely.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- 10 ballerinas, 12 bows, and 12 teardrops, matching in size
- Clean stripes and 4 hem tips on every skirt
- Every arch comes to a point under its loop
- Strands measure 21 in (53.3 cm) and 20 in (50.8 cm)
- 133 sts in header Rows 1–6, plus 11 tips
- Strands follow the grid
- 12 evenly spaced rings
- All ends woven in
Troubleshooting
- Skirt ruffles: Your hdc is loose. Use a smaller hook for the skirt.
- Skirt cups: Work the 3-hdc peaks more loosely.
- Chevrons drift: A marker was missed. Move the markers up every row.
- Header too wide: Remake it with a smaller hook.
- Uneven strands: Recount the chains against 10 ch = 2 in (5.1 cm).
- Flat head: Add more fiberfill before the joining round.
Care
Hand wash in cool water, reshape, and dry flat. Don’t wring it or hang it while wet.
Final Notes
A 1½ in (3.8 cm) head leads to an 8 in (20.3 cm) ballerina with a 4 in (10.2 cm) skirt. Two ballerinas make a 21 in (53.3 cm) strand. Eleven strands hang from a 133-stitch header that is 33¼ in (84.5 cm) wide and 3 in (7.6 cm) deep. The finished curtain is 24 in (61.0 cm) long.
Happy crocheting!