This strand curtain is made from small pointed-oval lace motifs, each with an eight-petal cluster flower at its heart, joined tip to tip into long hanging drops. Every strand ends in a full, swingy tassel, and the strands hang side by side from a rod so light filters through the openwork.
The palette is deep cranberry burgundy and soft cream, alternated strand by strand. The look is festive but not loud. It suits a window, a doorway, or a room divider for the holidays, and it reads just as well in winter after the tree comes down.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. Each finished strand measures 2.75 in (7.0 cm) wide and 55.75 in (141.6 cm) long, including the hanging loop and tassel. Twelve strands spaced 3 in (7.6 cm) apart span 35.75 in (90.8 cm).
Construction is simple and repetitive. You work each motif in the round from a magic ring: a center flower, two chain-mesh rounds that stretch the shape into a point at top and bottom, and a single crochet edging round. That edging round joins each new motif to the one above it as you go, so there is no sewing. Tassels are added last.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size (one strand): 2.75 in (7.0 cm) wide x 55.75 in (141.6 cm) long
- Finished curtain: 12 strands, 35.75 in (90.8 cm) across at 3 in (7.6 cm) spacing
- Skill level: Intermediate (clusters, chain mesh, join-as-you-go)
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: DK (#3) cotton
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6)
- Number of pieces: 120 motifs and 12 tassels, built into 12 strands
- Layout: 12 strands x 10 motifs each, colors alternating by strand
- Piece size (one motif): 2.75 in (7.0 cm) wide x 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall, point to point
- Size before border (after Round 4): 2.25 in (5.7 cm) wide x 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall
- Border depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on the sides, 0.375 in (1.0 cm) at each point
Materials
Choose a smooth, mercerized or combed DK cotton of about 250 m per 100 g. Cotton holds the pointed shape, keeps the lace crisp, and hangs straight without stretching the way acrylic can. Avoid fuzzy or very loosely plied yarns, because the mesh loses definition.
- Burgundy (B): 230 g (575 m)
- Cream (C): 230 g (575 m)
Each color covers 60 motifs at about 7 m each, 6 tassels at about 12 m each, and the hanging loops. These quantities include a margin of about 15 to 20 percent for gauge differences and a test motif.
Tools:
- 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers (2)
- Stiff card, 5.5 in (14.0 cm) tall, for tassels
- Sharp scissors
- Blocking mat, rust-proof pins, spray bottle
- Ruler or tape measure
- Curtain or tension rod, up to 0.75 in (1.9 cm) diameter
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sp(s) – space(s)
- MR – magic ring
- cl – cluster
- rep – repeat
- RS – right side
Beginning cluster (beg cl): Ch 2, [yo, insert hook in st, pull up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops] twice, yo, draw through all 3 loops on hook.
3-dc cluster (cl): [Yo, insert hook in st, pull up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops] 3 times in the same st, yo, draw through all 4 loops on hook.
Point: The ch-3 worked at the top or bottom of Round 5. It forms the sharp tip, and it is where joins and tassels attach.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Base gauge: 22 sc and 24 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm) in DK cotton with a 4.0 mm hook.
Make one complete test motif before anything else. Block it lightly and measure it. Any gauge error is multiplied by 120 here, so this step matters.
Checkpoints:
- After Round 2: flower measures 1.75 in (4.4 cm) across.
- After Round 4: 2.25 in (5.7 cm) wide x 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall, tip loop to tip loop.
- After Round 5: 2.75 in (7.0 cm) wide x 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall, point to point.
- After 3 joined motifs: 14.5 in (36.8 cm) from the base of the hanging loop to the bottom point of motif 3.
A difference of up to 0.125 in (0.3 cm) per motif is fine. If your motif is larger than that, go down 0.5 mm in hook size. If it is smaller, go up 0.5 mm. If the width is right but the height is short, your chains are too tight; loosen only the chains, not the clusters.
Motif Pattern
Work every round with the RS facing. Each motif uses one color throughout.
Round 1: MR, ch 1, 8 sc in ring, sl st to first sc. Pull the ring snug but leave a small center hole. (8 sc)
Round 2: Beg cl in same st as join, ch 3, *cl in next sc, ch 3; rep from * 6 more times, sl st to top of beg cl. (8 cl, 8 ch-3 sps)
Place a marker in the beg cl and call it cl 1; this is the top tip. Count around and mark cl 5; this is the bottom tip.
Round 3: Ch 1, (sc, ch 7, sc) in top of cl 1, ch 5, sc in top of next cl; rep from * 2 more times (to cl 4), ch 5, (sc, ch 7, sc) in top of cl 5, *ch 5, sc in top of next cl; rep from ** 2 more times (to cl 8), ch 5, sl st to first sc. (10 sc, 8 ch-5 loops, 2 ch-7 tip loops)
Each side now has 4 ch-5 loops between the tips. The ch-7 loops start pulling the round into a point.
Round 4: Sl st into top ch-7 loop, ch 1, (sc, ch 7, sc) in same loop, [ch 5, sc in next ch-5 loop] 4 times, ch 5, (sc, ch 7, sc) in bottom ch-7 loop, [ch 5, sc in next ch-5 loop] 4 times, ch 5, sl st to first sc. Do not fasten off. (12 sc, 10 ch-5 loops, 2 ch-7 tip loops)
Each side now has 5 ch-5 loops. Check the size before the border: 2.25 in (5.7 cm) x 3.75 in (9.5 cm).
Round 5 is the edging round. It is in the Border section because the joining also happens in that round.
Tassels
Make 6 in B and 6 in C.
- Wrap yarn 40 times around the 5.5 in (14.0 cm) card.
- Slide a 12 in (30.5 cm) strand under the wraps at the top edge and tie tightly. Leave both ends long.
- Cut the wraps along the bottom edge.
- Wrap a 24 in (61.0 cm) strand around the bundle 0.75 in (1.9 cm) below the top, about 8 times. Tie off and bury the ends inside the tassel with a needle.
- Trim the bottom evenly to 5 in (12.7 cm) total length.
Make All Pieces
- Burgundy: 60 motifs (6 strands x 10), 6 tassels
- Cream: 60 motifs (6 strands x 10), 6 tassels
- Total: 120 motifs, 12 tassels, 12 hanging loops
Motifs are not finished separately. You work Rounds 1 to 4, then Round 5 joins the motif to its strand. Each strand is one color.
Layout grid (strands left to right, viewed from the room):
STRANDS 1–12: B C B C B C B C B C B C
Each strand, top to bottom:
HANGING LOOP / MOTIF 1 / MOTIF 2 / MOTIF 3 / MOTIF 4 / MOTIF 5 / MOTIF 6 / MOTIF 7 / MOTIF 8 / MOTIF 9 / MOTIF 10 / TASSEL
Joining
Method: Join-as-you-go at the tips, worked during Round 5.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: Each motif has exactly two points, one at the top and one at the bottom. The top point of the new motif connects to the bottom point of the motif above it with a single sl st into the ch-3 point space. Only one stitch connects each pair, so the strand can swing and every motif lies flat.
The join replaces the top ch-3 with ch 4, sl st, ch 4. This leaves a visible chain link of about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) between motifs, matching the slim necks between the drops.
Tension: Work the ch 4 at the same tension as your Round 3 and Round 4 chains. If it is too tight, the strand bunches; if it is too loose, the motifs droop apart. Before each sl st, check that both motifs have the RS facing you, so the strand does not twist.
Size checkpoint: 3 joined motifs measure 14.5 in (36.8 cm), which is 3 x 4.5 in plus 2 x 0.5 in links. A full strand body of 10 motifs measures 49.5 in (125.7 cm): 10 x 4.5 in plus 9 x 0.5 in.
Border: Motif Edging Round
Border gauge: 22 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm). Each side carries 33 sc along a curved edge of about 6 in (15.2 cm).
Round 5 (standard): Sl st into top ch-7 loop, ch 1. In the top tip loop work (4 sc, ch 3, 4 sc). Work 5 sc in each of the next 5 ch-5 loops. In the bottom tip loop work (4 sc, ch 3, 4 sc). Work 5 sc in each of the next 5 ch-5 loops. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off. (66 sc, 2 ch-3 points)
Motif 1 of each strand (hanging loop): In the top tip loop, work (4 sc, ch 16, 4 sc) instead of (4 sc, ch 3, 4 sc). Finish the round as standard. The ch-16 loop hangs about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) and fits a rod up to 0.75 in (1.9 cm) thick.
Motifs 2 to 10 (joining): In the top tip loop, work 4 sc, ch 4, sl st into the bottom ch-3 point of the previous motif, ch 4, then 4 sc in the same tip loop. Finish the round as standard.
Counts per side:
- 4 sc (half of top tip loop)
- 25 sc (5 ch-5 loops x 5 sc)
- 4 sc (half of bottom tip loop)
- Total per side: 33 sc. Two sides = 66 sc.
The 4 sc at each tip are split evenly between the two sides, so no stitch is counted twice. The ch-3 points sit between the sides and are not counted as stitches.
Why the math works: Round 5 is a conversion round. Its count is 64 sc worked one per existing chain (10 loops x 5 ch = 50, plus 2 tip loops x 7 ch = 14), plus 2 extra sc (one added in each tip loop), for 66 sc. One sc per chain keeps the sides flat. The single extra sc in each tip loop eases the edge around the tight curve, so the point stays sharp without cupping. Because every motif has 66 sc, all 120 motifs finish at the same 2.75 in (7.0 cm) x 4.5 in (11.4 cm).
Attach tassels: Thread the long top-tie ends of a tassel through the bottom ch-3 point of motif 10. Tie a firm square knot, then bury the ends inside the tassel head.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends before blocking. Each motif has 2 ends; hide them in the Round 5 sc, never in the mesh.
- Lay one strand flat on the blocking mat, RS up.
- Spray it with water until it is damp, not soaked.
- Pin each motif at its two points to 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall, then pin the widest part to 2.75 in (7.0 cm).
- Open each ch-5 loop with your fingers so the mesh sits evenly.
- Pin each chain link straight so the motifs line up on one center line.
- Smooth the tassel strands straight and let the strand dry fully.
- Unpin it, then check that the strand body measures 49.5 in (125.7 cm).
- Repeat for all 12 strands.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Every motif has 66 sc and 2 points.
- Each side counts 33 sc.
- Each motif measures 2.75 in (7.0 cm) x 4.5 in (11.4 cm).
- All 9 joins per strand use ch 4, sl st, ch 4.
- No strand twists; all motifs show the RS.
- Each strand body measures 49.5 in (125.7 cm).
- Each strand totals 55.75 in (141.6 cm) with loop and tassel.
- Tassels are all 5 in (12.7 cm) long and tied firmly.
- Strands alternate B and C across the rod at 3 in (7.6 cm) spacing.
Troubleshooting
Motif looks round, not pointed: Your tip loops are too short. Make sure you work ch 7 at the tips in Rounds 3 and 4, and pin the points firmly when blocking.
Edges ruffle: You have too many sc per loop, or your chains are too loose. Keep exactly 5 sc per ch-5 loop and tighten your chains slightly.
Edges cup or curl: Your chains are too tight. Go up 0.5 mm in hook size for Rounds 3 to 5 only.
Strand twists when hung: One motif was joined with the wrong side facing. Undo that motif’s Round 5 and rejoin it.
Strands are different lengths: Measure each strand body and compare the links. Uneven ch-4 links are usually the cause.
Tassel unravels at the head: Wrap the neck tighter and secure the knot inside the tassel.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, roll in a towel, and dry flat, re-pinning the points if needed. Store the strands loosely coiled, not folded, to keep the motifs flat.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is short and reliable. One motif is 2.25 in (5.7 cm) x 3.75 in (9.5 cm) before the border and 2.75 in (7.0 cm) x 4.5 in (11.4 cm) after it. Ten motifs plus nine 0.5 in (1.3 cm) links make a 49.5 in (125.7 cm) strand body. Add the 1.25 in (3.2 cm) hanging loop and the 5 in (12.7 cm) tassel, and each strand is 55.75 in (141.6 cm) long. Twelve strands at 3 in (7.6 cm) spacing cover 35.75 in (90.8 cm).
Check your first motif and trust your counts. The rest of the curtain follows.
Happy crocheting!