These curtain panels are built from openwork star motifs, each set in a square of cream mesh. Cranberry and cream stars alternate in a checkerboard, and daylight shows through every star center and mesh space.
The palette is cranberry red and natural cream in worsted-weight cotton. The look is cottage-style and festive, but calm enough to leave up all winter. All instructions use US crochet terms.
Each finished panel measures 26 in (66.0 cm) wide by 68 in (172.7 cm) long, not counting the tabs. The tab loops add about 3 in (7.6 cm), for a total of about 71 in (180.3 cm) from tab top to hem. The photo shows a matching pair, so the yarn amounts below cover two panels.
Each panel has 44 square motifs. You crochet a star, then work three cream rounds that square it off. Then you slip-stitch the motifs together in a 4 x 11 grid, add three border rounds, and finish with seven tabs.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished panel size: 26 x 68 in (66.0 x 172.7 cm), plus 3 in (7.6 cm) tab loops
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 44 motifs per panel (88 for the pair), plus 7 tabs per panel
- Layout: 4 motifs across x 11 down, checkerboard
- Motif size: 6 x 6 in (15.2 x 15.2 cm)
- Size before border: 24 x 66 in (61.0 x 167.6 cm)
- Border depth: 1 in (2.5 cm) on every side
Materials
Use a smooth mercerized or combed worsted-weight cotton, about 190 m per 100 g. Cotton keeps the star points crisp and washes well. Choose a warm cream rather than a bright white.
Yarn (for two panels):
- Color A, Cranberry: 300 g (approx. 570 m)
- Color B, Cream: 1,400 g (approx. 2,660 m)
For one panel, use half these amounts. The amounts include about 10% extra for swatching and differences in tension.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- 5.5 mm (I-9) hook, optional, for joining
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Rust-proof pins and a large blocking surface
- Spray bottle
- Measuring tape
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet
- sk: skip
- sp: space
- st(s): stitch(es)
- RS / WS: right side / wrong side
Special stitch: Star Point. Work (hdc, dc, tr, ch 3, tr, dc, hdc) all into the same space. That gives 6 stitches plus a ch-3 tip.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Make one complete motif first and block it. It should measure 6 x 6 in (15.2 x 15.2 cm) from edge to edge, not counting the corner chains.
Checkpoints:
- After Round 1: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across
- After Round 2: 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across
- After Round 3: 4.5 in (11.4 cm), from a star tip to the opposite edge
- After Round 4: 5 in (12.7 cm) across
- After Round 5: 5.5 x 5.5 in (14.0 x 14.0 cm)
- After Round 6: 6 x 6 in (15.2 x 15.2 cm)
The 19 working stitches along one side should span 6 in (15.2 cm).
If your motif is too big, go down to a 4.5 mm hook. If it’s too small, go up to a 5.5 mm hook. An error of just 0.25 in (0.6 cm) per motif adds up to 2.75 in (7.0 cm) over 11 motifs.
Star Motif
Motif A has a cranberry star (Rounds 1–3) and a cream frame (Rounds 4–6). Motif B is cream throughout.
Rounds 1–3: The Star
Work in Color A for Motif A, or Color B for Motif B.
Round 1: Make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 14 dc in the ring, and sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Pull the ring closed. (15 dc)
Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in the next st, ch 3, sk the next st. Dc in each of the next 2 sts, ch 3, sk the next st. Repeat from * 3 more times. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (10 dc in 5 pairs, 5 ch-3 sps)
The five ch-3 spaces become the open windows at the base of each point.
Round 3: Sl st in the next dc and into the next ch-3 sp. Ch 2 (counts as hdc), then work (dc, tr, ch 3, tr, dc, hdc) in the same sp. Sl st between the 2 dc of the next pair. Work a Star Point in the next ch-3 sp, then sl st between the 2 dc of the next pair. Repeat from * 3 more times. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-2. (5 Star Points of 6 sts = 30 sts, 5 ch-3 tips, 5 valley sl sts)
For Motif A, fasten off Color A. For Motif B, don’t fasten off. Sl st across to the next ch-3 tip and keep going.
Rounds 4–6: The Square Frame (Color B)
Round 4 (conversion round): For Motif A, join Color B in any ch-3 tip. Ch 1 and sc in the same tip. Ch 4, sc in the dc on the far side of this point. Ch 4, sc around the valley sl st. Ch 4, sc in the dc on the near side of the next point. Ch 4, sc in the next ch-3 tip. Repeat from * around, leaving out the last sc, and sl st to the first sc. That’s 4 anchors per point x 5 points. (20 sc, 20 ch-4 loops)
Round 5 (squaring round): Sl st into the first ch-4 loop. Ch 4 (counts as tr), then work (tr, ch 3, 2 tr) in the same loop for a corner. In the next 4 loops, work 3 dc, 3 hdc, 3 hdc, 3 dc. In the next loop work (2 tr, ch 3, 2 tr), then in the next 4 loops work 3 dc, 3 hdc, 3 hdc, 3 dc. Repeat from * 2 more times. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-4.
The trebles push the corners out and the hdc keep the middle of each side low. Each side has 2 tr + 12 sts + 2 tr. (16 sts per side, 64 sts total, 4 corner ch-3 sps)
Round 6 (mesh round): Sl st in the next tr and into the corner ch-3 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), then work (ch 3, dc) in the same sp. [Ch 1, sk the next st, dc in the next st] 8 times, ch 1, then work (dc, ch 3, dc) in the corner sp. Repeat from * 2 more times. Then work [ch 1, sk the next st, dc in the next st] 8 times, ch 1, and sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
Each side has 2 corner dc + 8 side dc = 10 dc, plus 9 ch-1 sps. (19 working sts per side; 40 dc and 36 ch-1 sps total)
Definition: In this pattern, “19 per side” means the 10 dc and 9 ch-1 spaces between the corner ch-3 spaces. The corner spaces are not counted.
Make All Pieces
For each panel, make:
- 22 Motif A (cranberry star)
- 22 Motif B (cream star)
For the pair, make 44 of each.
Layout (A = cranberry, B = cream), from top to bottom:
Row 1: A B A B
Row 2: B A B A
Row 3: A B A B
Row 4: B A B A
Row 5: A B A B
Row 6: B A B A
Row 7: A B A B
Row 8: B A B A
Row 9: A B A B
Row 10: B A B A
Row 11: A B A B
Every row has 2 A, so 11 rows give 22 A and 22 B. Turn each motif so one star point faces straight up before you join.
Joining
Method: Slip-stitch join through both layers, using Color B.
- Hold two motifs with right sides together, edges aligned.
- Sl st through both corner ch-3 sps together.
- Sl st through each matching pair: dc to dc and ch-1 sp to ch-1 sp. (19 sl sts)
- Sl st through the next pair of corner ch-3 sps.
Every side has exactly 19 stitches, so the stitches match one to one and nothing needs to be eased in.
Order: First join the 4 motifs of each row into a strip, using 3 short seams per strip. Each strip should measure 24 x 6 in (61.0 x 15.2 cm). Then join the 11 strips with 10 long seams, repeating corner sp, 19 sts, corner sp across each motif. Where four corners meet, treat the two corners that are already joined as one space.
Tension: Keep the sl sts as loose as the mesh dc. Tight seams make the panel pucker and come out short. If you tend to crochet tightly, switch to the 5.5 mm hook for joining.
Size checkpoint: The joined panel should measure 24 x 66 in (61.0 x 167.6 cm).
Border
Border gauge: 19 sc = 6 in (15.2 cm), which matches the motif edge.
Starting count: Each short side has 4 x 19 = 76 sts. Each long side has 11 x 19 = 209 sts. The seam corner spaces are already closed by the joining, so they aren’t worked and add no stitches.
Round 1 (sc): With RS facing, join Color B in an outer corner ch-3 sp. Ch 1, then work (sc, ch 2, sc) in the same sp. Sc in each dc and each ch-1 sp, skipping the seam corner spaces. Work (sc, ch 2, sc) in each remaining outer corner. Sl st to the first sc.
– Short side: 76 + 2 corner sc = 78 sc
– Long side: 209 + 2 corner sc = 211 sc
– Total: 578 sc
Round 2 (dc): Sl st into the corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), then work (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the same sp. Dc in each sc, and work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each corner sp. Sl st to the top of the ch-3.
– Short side: 78 + 4 = 82 dc
– Long side: 211 + 4 = 215 dc
– Total: 594 dc
Round 3 (sc): Sl st into the corner sp. Ch 1, then work (sc, ch 2, sc) in the same sp. Sc in each dc, and work (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner sp. Sl st to the first sc and fasten off.
– Short side: 82 + 2 = 84 sc
– Long side: 215 + 2 = 217 sc
– Total: 602 sc
Why the math works: The motif edges work out to 19 sts per 6 in. Round 1 starts at exactly 4 x 19 and 11 x 19, so it sits flat stitch for stitch. Over the three rounds, each side gains 8 stitches, all at the corners. Those 8 stitches cover the 2 in (5.1 cm) of added width, plus a little ease that lets the corners turn without cupping.
Tabs (make 7 per panel)
Work across the 84 sc on the top short side of Round 3, counting from the first sc after the top-right corner sp.
Tab: Join Color B in the first sc. Ch 1, then sc in the same st and in the next 5 sts. (6 sc) Rows 2–20: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. (6 sc) Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
Skip 7 sc, join in the next sc, and make the next tab. Repeat until you have 7 tabs. Check your spacing: 7 tabs x 6 sts + 6 gaps x 7 sts = 84 sts.
Each tab is about 2 in (5.1 cm) wide and 6 in (15.2 cm) long. Fold it to the WS and sew the last row behind border Round 1. This makes a loop about 3 in (7.6 cm) high.
Final Blocking
- Weave all ends into the dc stitches, not into the open chain spaces.
- Soak the panel in cool water for 15 minutes, then roll it in a towel and press out the water.
- Lay it flat with the RS up.
- Pin the four outer corners so the panel measures 26 x 68 in (66.0 x 172.7 cm).
- Pin each long side every 6 in (15.2 cm), at each seam, so the seams run straight.
- Pin each star tip out so it’s sharp.
- Let it dry completely, usually 24–48 hours.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each motif measures 6 in (15.2 cm) square.
- The checkerboard is correct and all stars point up.
- Each seam has 19 sl sts plus the corner joins.
- The panel measures 24 x 66 in (61.0 x 167.6 cm) before the border.
- Border Round 3 has 84 sc on each short side and 217 on each long side.
- There are 7 tabs, with 7 sc between each pair.
- Both panels match in size.
Troubleshooting
- Star points curl: Round 3 is too tight. Go up a hook size for the star rounds.
- Motif isn’t square: Recheck Round 5. The corners need tr and the middle of each side needs hdc.
- Motif edges wave: Recount Round 6. Each side should have 10 dc and 9 ch-1 sps.
- Seams pucker: Use the 5.5 mm hook for joining.
- Border ruffles: You probably worked into the seam corner spaces. Rip back and skip them.
- Panel is too short: Block it to length, and check later motifs against the 6 in (15.2 cm) checkpoint.
Care
Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle in a laundry bag, or wash by hand. Dry flat, and re-pin to size if needed.
Final Notes
The measurement chain works like this. Each motif is 6 in (15.2 cm) with 19 sts per side. A 4 x 11 grid makes 24 x 66 in (61.0 x 167.6 cm). The 1 in (2.5 cm) border brings the panel to 26 x 68 in (66.0 x 172.7 cm), and the tabs add about 3 in (7.6 cm). If you check each stage, both panels will match and hang straight.
Happy crocheting!