Golden Wheat Filet Curtain Strip Crochet Pattern

This curtain is made of ten separate filet crochet strips, each with a column of upright wheat ears. The strips alternate olive green and cream. Hung side by side on a rod, they make a light, slatted door or window curtain that lets daylight through the open mesh while the solid wheat blocks stand out.

On the olive strips, the wheat is worked in a pale khaki contrast color. On the cream strips, it stays tonal, in the same cream, so the motif shows only as texture and shadow. The look is calm, rustic, and farmhouse-inspired.

All terms are US crochet terms. Each finished strip measures 6 in (15.2 cm) wide by 72.5 in (184.2 cm) long, plus a 3 in (7.6 cm) hanging loop. With 0.5 in (1.3 cm) gaps between strips, the ten strips span about 64.5 in (163.8 cm).

Each strip is worked flat from the bottom up in filet mesh. You then add a two-round single crochet border, and finally work a tab from the top edge, fold it back, and sew it down to make the rod loop. The strips are never sewn to each other.

Finished Size and Construction

• Finished strip size: 6 in x 72.5 in (15.2 cm x 184.2 cm)
• Skill level: Intermediate (filet mesh; color changes on the olive strips)
• Terminology: US
• Yarn weight: Sport (#2) cotton
• Hook: 3.0 mm (US C/2 or D/3)
• Number of pieces: 10 strips (5 olive, 5 cream)
• Layout: One row of 10 strips, alternating colors, hung separately
• Strip body before border: 5.5 in x 72 in (14.0 cm x 182.9 cm), 11 squares x 144 rows
• Border depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on each side
• Hanging loop: 3 in (7.6 cm) tall, 4 in (10.2 cm) wide

Materials

Use a mercerized or smooth cotton in sport weight, about 150 m per 50 g. Cotton keeps the filet squares crisp and holds its length when it hangs. Avoid stretchy blends, which can let long strips grow.

• Olive green (MC-A): 350 g / 1050 m
• Cream (MC-B): 350 g / 1050 m
• Pale khaki (CC): 100 g / 300 m

All quantities include a margin of about 15% for gauge swatches and weaving in ends.

Tools:
– 3.0 mm crochet hook
– Tapestry needle
– Locking stitch markers
– Measuring tape
– Rust-proof pins and a long blocking surface (towels on the floor work well)
– Spray bottle
– Wooden or metal rod, up to 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in diameter

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• sk – skip
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• RS / WS – right side / wrong side

Special stitches:

• Mesh: ch 2, sk next 2 sts, dc in next dc.
• Block: 2 dc in next ch-2 sp (or 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc), then dc in next dc.

A square is always 3 sts wide (2 fillers and 1 post). Every row has 12 dc posts and 22 fillers, for a total of 34 sts.

Gauge and Checkpoints

• Filet gauge: 8 squares and 8 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm). Each square is 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
• Sc gauge (border and tab): 24 sc and 24 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm), or 6 sc per 1 in (2.5 cm).

Make one complete strip before starting the others. Check it at these points:

• After Row 2: width 5.5 in (14.0 cm).
• After Row 22 (one wheat ear): length 11 in (27.9 cm).
• After Row 72: length 36 in (91.4 cm).
• After Row 144: 5.5 in x 72 in (14.0 cm x 182.9 cm).
• After the border: 6 in x 72.5 in (15.2 cm x 184.2 cm).

If your squares are too big, go down 0.25 mm in hook size. If they’re too small, go up 0.25 mm. If only the length is off, adjust your dc height (pull the first loop up higher or lower) rather than changing hooks. Over 144 rows, a row height error of just 1/16 in adds up to 9 in (22.9 cm).

Strip Pattern

Cream strips: Work every stitch in MC-B.

Olive strips: Work in MC-A, and work the wheat blocks in CC.

Foundation: With MC, ch 38.

Row 1 (RS): Dc in 8th ch from hook. Mesh: ch 2, sk 2 ch, dc in next ch. Repeat from * 9 more times. Turn. (11 mesh squares; 34 sts.)

Row 2: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2). Sk first dc and next 2 ch, dc in next dc. Work 9 mesh. For the last square, ch 2 and dc in the 5th of the 7 skipped foundation chains. Turn. (11 mesh; 34 sts.)

Every following row starts with ch 5 and ends with ch 2, dc in 3rd ch of the turning ch-5. Squares 1 and 11 are always mesh.

Wheat Repeat (20 Rows)

Rows 3–142 work the 20-row repeat below 7 times. For any strip row, the repeat row = (strip row − 3) ÷ 20, take the remainder, plus 1. Every row is 34 sts.

Repeat row	Filled squares	Row layout	CC sts (olive strips)
1–4	6	Mesh 5, Block 1, Mesh 5	3
5	5–7	Mesh 4, Block 3, Mesh 4	9
6	4–8	Mesh 3, Block 5, Mesh 3	15
7	6	Mesh 5, Block 1, Mesh 5	3
8	5–7	Mesh 4, Block 3, Mesh 4	9
9	4–8	Mesh 3, Block 5, Mesh 3	15
10	6	Mesh 5, Block 1, Mesh 5	3
11	5–7	Mesh 4, Block 3, Mesh 4	9
12	4–8	Mesh 3, Block 5, Mesh 3	15
13	6	Mesh 5, Block 1, Mesh 5	3
14	5–7	Mesh 4, Block 3, Mesh 4	9
15	4–8	Mesh 3, Block 5, Mesh 3	15
16	6	Mesh 5, Block 1, Mesh 5	3
17	5–7	Mesh 4, Block 3, Mesh 4	9
18–20	6	Mesh 5, Block 1, Mesh 5	3

Each repeat has 46 blocks: 4 grain chevrons, a 3-block tip, and the stem. Because the stem runs through repeat rows 18–20 and 1–4, the ears connect into one continuous stalk. The chevrons widen as you work upward, so the grains point up when the strip hangs.

Rows 143–144: Work 11 mesh in each row. (34 sts per row.) Fasten off.

Color Work (Olive Strips Only)

Join CC in Row 3 and cut it after Row 142.

1. Work the dc post where the run begins in MC-A, but complete its final yarn over with CC.
2. Work the run in CC: (2 fill dc, 1 post dc) for each block, so each run is 3 x blocks.
3. Change back to MC-A on the final yarn over of the last CC post.
4. Carry MC-A inside the CC stitches by working over it.

At the end of each run, leave CC at the far end in your working direction. The next row’s run starts on that same side.

• When the next run is wider, CC moves out by only 1 square. Lay it along the top of the row below and work over it with the fill dc.
• When the next run is narrower, carry CC along the top of the khaki blocks you just made. Encase it in the posts. The strand rests against khaki, so it stays hidden.

Make All Pieces

• Olive strips: 5 (MC-A with CC wheat)
• Cream strips: 5 (MC-B only)

Layout as hung, left to right:

| O | C | O | C | O | C | O | C | O | C |

O = olive, C = cream. Leave a 0.5 in (1.3 cm) gap between strips on the rod.

Joining (Hanging Method)

The strips are not joined to each other with stitches. Each one hangs independently, so the curtain moves like a slat screen and people can walk through it. The only connection is the rod.

That means there are no seam stitches to count. Each strip keeps its own border counts. Make the tab loops (below) at the same height on every strip. After all ten are hung, the bottom edges should line up within 0.5 in (1.3 cm). If one hangs low, its row height is off. Re-block it before you consider reworking it.

Border

The border is worked in MC to match each strip. It uses the sc gauge of 6 sc per 1 in (2.5 cm).

Round 1: With RS facing, join MC in the top-right corner. Work all four sides as follows:

• Top edge: 34 sc, 1 sc in each st (12 dc + 22 ch). Ch 1 at the corner.
• Side edge: 432 sc, 3 sc in each row end (3 x 144 rows). Ch 1 at the corner.
• Bottom edge: 34 sc, 1 sc at the base of each dc and 2 sc in each skipped ch-2 base (12 + 22). Ch 1 at the corner.
• Second side: 432 sc. Ch 1 at the corner.

Join with sl st. (932 sc + 4 corner ch-1 sps.)

Round 2: Ch 1. Sc in each sc, and work (sc, ch 1, sc) in each corner sp.

• Short sides: 34 + 2 = 36 sc each.
• Long sides: 432 + 2 = 434 sc each.

Each side count includes that side’s 2 corner sc. Join. (940 sc.)

Why the math works: On the long sides, 432 sc at 6 sc per inch = 72 in (182.9 cm), which is exactly the body length, so the edges don’t ruffle or pull in. On the short sides, 34 sc mirror the 34 sts of a row, so nothing is added or lost across the width. The 2 rounds add 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on every side, bringing the strip to 6 in x 72.5 in (15.2 cm x 184.2 cm).

Hanging Tab

The tab is worked on the top short edge (36 sc). Skip 6 sc and join MC in the 7th sc.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in the same st and the next 23 sc. Turn. (24 sc; 6 sc stay unworked on each side, so 6 + 24 + 6 = 36.)

Rows 2–36: Ch 1, sc in each sc. Turn. (24 sc.)

The tab measures 4 in x 6 in (10.2 cm x 15.2 cm). Fold it to the WS and whipstitch the last row to the base of Row 1. This forms a 3 in (7.6 cm) loop.

Final Blocking

1. Soak each strip in cool water for 15 minutes. Press the water out; don’t wring.
2. Roll the strip in a towel to remove excess water.
3. Lay it flat on a long surface and measure it to 6 in x 72.5 in (15.2 cm x 184.2 cm).
4. Pin the long edges every 4 in (10.2 cm), keeping them perfectly straight.
5. Gently square up the mesh so the stem runs in a straight vertical line.
6. Let it dry completely, then unpin. Don’t block the tab loop flat; let it keep its curve.

Final Quality-Control Checklist

• Every row has 34 sts and 11 squares.
• There are 7 complete wheat ears per strip, all centered on square 6.
• No CC floats show through the mesh on the olive strips.
• The border has 36 sc on each short side and 434 sc on each long side.
• The strip measures 6 in x 72.5 in (15.2 cm x 184.2 cm).
• The tabs are centered with 6 sc on each side, and all loops are the same height.
• All ends are woven into solid blocks or the border, not into the mesh.

Troubleshooting

• Strip is too narrow at the top: Turning chains are too tight. Ch 5 loosely, or ch 6 if needed.
• Squares look tall and rectangular: Your row height is too great. Shorten your dc, or go down a hook size.
• Wheat stem drifts sideways: Recount the mesh on each side of the blocks. The two sides must be equal.
• Olive shows through the khaki blocks: Hold the carried strand behind your work and tug it gently every few stitches.
• Long edges ripple: Reduce to 5 sc per 2 row ends along that section of the border.
• One strip hangs longer than the rest: Re-wet it and block it to 72.5 in (184.2 cm).

Care

Hand wash cool with mild soap and dry flat to the blocked size. Don’t hang the strips wet, because the weight will stretch them.

Final Notes

The measurement chain runs like this. Each square is 0.5 in (1.3 cm), so 11 squares make a 5.5 in (14.0 cm) body width. One row is 0.5 in (1.3 cm) tall, so 144 rows make 72 in (182.9 cm) of length. The border’s 432 sc per long side match that 72 in exactly. Two border rounds add 0.25 in (0.6 cm) per side, for a strip of 6 in x 72.5 in (15.2 cm x 184.2 cm). Finally, a 3 in (7.6 cm) loop hangs each of the ten strips on the rod. If you hit each checkpoint, the curtain will hang straight and even.

Happy crocheting!