The Royal Kite strand is one long, airy chain of open diamonds in a single saturated royal blue. Each diamond has a firm, rounded outline and three solid vertical bars inside: a long center bar running from point to point, with a shorter bar on each side. Short chain links connect the diamonds, so light shows through every gap.
The look is clean and graphic. In a single color, the diamonds look a bit like the lead lines in stained glass, and they cast neat shadows when hung in a sunny window. Worsted-weight mercerized cotton gives the bars and outlines clear stitch definition.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. One finished strand of 10 diamonds is about 68 in (172.7 cm) long, including the hanging loop and bottom tail. Each diamond is 4 in (10.2 cm) wide and 5 in (12.7 cm) tall after blocking.
You work the strand in one continuous piece from the top down. For each diamond, you chain a ring and work a bar of foundation single crochet straight down the middle. Then you work two rounds of single crochet around the ring, adding the two side bars as you pass them. A chain link carries you to the next diamond. Make as many separate strands as your window needs; the strands are not joined to each other.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished strand length: 68 in (172.7 cm) with 10 diamonds
- Single diamond: 4 in (10.2 cm) wide x 5 in (12.7 cm) tall
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: #4 worsted, cotton
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 continuous strand
- Layout: 10 diamonds in a single vertical column, linked by chains
- Diamond size before edging (after Round 2): 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide x 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall
- Edging (border) depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm) per side
Materials
Yarn: Choose a smooth, tightly plied worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Mercerized cotton holds the diamond shape best and doesn’t stretch much when hanging. Avoid fuzzy or very soft acrylics, because the bars will droop and the open spaces will blur.
- Royal blue: about 50 g / 75 m (82 yd) per strand of 10 diamonds
This amount includes a margin of about 25% to cover your test diamond, differences in tension, and the hanging loop and tail. Each diamond with its link uses about 5.6 m (6.1 yd).
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- 4 locking stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Blocking mat, rust-proof pins, and a spray bottle
- Curtain rod or tension rod for hanging (optional)
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- fsc – foundation single crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
Special stitch – Foundation single crochet (fsc):
First fsc: insert hook in the stitch named in the pattern, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 1 loop (this makes the “chain” at the base), yarn over and draw through both loops on hook.
Each following fsc: insert hook under the 2 loops of the base chain of the previous fsc, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 1 loop, yarn over and draw through both loops.
Each fsc adds one stitch of length to a solid column, which is what forms the center bar.
Ring point names: T = top point, B = bottom point, plus two side points. The ring chains are numbered 1 to 40: ch 1 = T, ch 11 = first side point, ch 21 = B, and ch 31 = second side point.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc and 18 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm). Relaxed chains measure about 4 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Always test one diamond before you start the full strand. Work the hanging loop, one link and one complete diamond, then measure.
Checkpoints:
- Center bar: 16 fsc = 4 in (10.2 cm) long.
- After Round 2: diamond measures 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide x 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall.
- After Round 3 (edging): diamond measures 4 in (10.2 cm) wide x 5 in (12.7 cm) tall.
- Repeat length: one diamond plus its visible link = 6.5 in (16.5 cm).
If your diamond is too big: go down one hook size, to 4.5 mm. Check that your chains aren’t loose, since the ring sets the length of the outline.
If your diamond is too small: go up one hook size, to 5.5 mm. A center bar shorter than 4 in (10.2 cm) is the usual sign.
If the shape is wrong but the size is close: compare the center bar to the ring. The bar should hold the ring taut from top to bottom without bending.
Pattern: One Strand
Hanging Loop
Ch 12, sl st in first ch to form a loop.
The loop hangs about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) and fits most curtain rods. For a thicker rod, chain more stitches here. This doesn’t affect the diamonds.
Link
Ch 8.
Diamond (make 10 in sequence)
Round 1 (ring): Ch 40, sl st in first of these 40 ch to form a ring. (40 ch)
The ch you joined into is ring ch 1 = T. Count around the ring and place markers in ch 1 (T), ch 11 (side point), ch 21 (B) and ch 31 (side point). Each of the 4 sides has 9 ch between the point chains.
Center bar: With the hook at T, work 16 fsc, anchoring the first fsc in ring ch 1. Let the column hang straight down through the middle of the ring. Sl st in ring ch 21 (B). (16 fsc)
The ring now pulls into a diamond, and the center bar holds it 4 in (10.2 cm) tall.
Round 2 (outline and side bars): Work into the ring chains, keeping the center bar inside the diamond.
- Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st), 3 sc in ch 21 (B).
- Sc in ch 22 to ch 26 (5 sc).
- First side bar: ch 8, sl st in ring ch 36, turn, sc in each of the 8 ch back down, sl st in the last sc made at ch 26.
- Sc in ch 27 to ch 30 (4 sc).
- 3 sc in ch 31 (side point).
- Sc in ch 32 to ch 40 (9 sc). Work the sc in ch 36 as usual, over the sl st that’s already there.
- 3 sc in ch 1 (T).
- Sc in ch 2 to ch 6 (5 sc).
- Second side bar: ch 8, sl st in ring ch 16, turn, sc in each of the 8 ch back up, sl st in the last sc made at ch 6.
- Sc in ch 7 to ch 10 (4 sc).
- 3 sc in ch 11 (side point).
- Sc in ch 12 to ch 20 (9 sc), working over the sl st in ch 16.
- Sl st in first sc to join.
Round 2 count: 48 sc (4 corners x 3 sc = 12, plus 4 sides x 9 sc = 36). The 16 side-bar sc are separate and don’t count toward the round total.
Each side bar runs from the middle of one side to the middle of the side below it. Halfway out from the center, the diamond is half its full inner height. So 8 ch matches half of the 16-stitch center bar, and the side bars hang straight and vertical.
Each side now has 13 sc, counting both corner center stitches. 4 sides x 13 = 52, minus the 4 shared corner centers = 48.
Checkpoint: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide x 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall.
Round 3: Work the edging round now (see the Border section below), then continue.
Link to next diamond: From the B corner center of Round 3, ch 8, then begin the next diamond with Round 1.
Bottom Tail
After Round 3 of the 10th diamond, ch 6 from the B corner center. Fasten off, leaving a 4 in (10.2 cm) tail. Tie an overhand knot at the end of the chain and trim the tail to 1 in (2.5 cm).
The tail hangs about 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
Strand length check: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) loop + 10 x 6.5 in (16.5 cm) repeats + 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tail = 68 in (172.7 cm). Each 8-ch link is 2 in (5.1 cm) long. About 0.5 in (1.3 cm) of it is hidden in the edging at the top point of the next diamond, which leaves a 1.5 in (3.8 cm) visible gap.
Border (Diamond Edging, Round 3)
The edging is one round of sc around each diamond. It thickens the outline and sharpens the four points.
Border gauge: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), the same as the main fabric.
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in same st as join (first sc of the B corner group), 3 sc in next sc (B corner center), *sc in each sc to next corner center, 3 sc in corner center; rep from * 2 more times, sc in each remaining sc, sl st in first sc to join.
Round 3 count: 48 + 8 = 56 sc. All 48 stitches from Round 2 are worked once, and the 4 corner centers get 2 extra sc each, for 8 extra stitches.
- Per side: 15 sc, counting both corner center stitches
- Check: 4 sides x 15 = 60, minus 4 shared corner centers = 56
To start the link, sl st in next 2 sc. You’re now in the B corner center of Round 3.
Why the math works: Each round of a flat diamond outline needs 2 extra stitches at each point to turn the corner without cupping. Round 2 puts 3 sc in each point, and Round 3 does the same in each corner center. So each side grows by exactly 2 stitches (13 to 15), and the round grows by exactly 8. The edging adds about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on every side, taking the diamond from 3.5 x 4.5 in (8.9 x 11.4 cm) to 4 x 5 in (10.2 x 12.7 cm).
Final Blocking
- Weave in the starting tail and the end tail along the outline stitches.
- Lay the strand on a blocking mat, one section at a time if your mat is short.
- Pin each diamond at all 4 points: 4 in (10.2 cm) between the side points and 5 in (12.7 cm) from T to B.
- Pin the center bar straight, then pin each side bar so it runs parallel to the center bar.
- Straighten each link so the visible gap between diamonds is 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
- Spray until damp, not soaked. Pat the fabric with your hands to set the stitches.
- Let it dry completely, for at least 12 hours.
- Unpin and hang the strand from its loop for 24 hours so it settles to its full length.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- 10 diamonds, each 4 in (10.2 cm) wide x 5 in (12.7 cm) tall
- 48 sc in Round 2 and 56 sc in Round 3 on every diamond
- Center bar of 16 fsc, straight and centered from T to B
- Two side bars of 8 sc each, vertical and parallel to the center bar
- Open spaces clear and evenly sized on both sides
- All links 8 ch, with a 1.5 in (3.8 cm) visible gap
- Hanging loop secure and bottom tail knotted
- Total strand length 68 in (172.7 cm)
- All ends woven in and trimmed
Troubleshooting
Center bar bows or ripples: your fsc are looser than your chains. Work the fsc more firmly, or use a hook 0.5 mm smaller for the bar only.
Ring looks slack and the diamond is wide and flat: your ring chains are too loose. Chain more firmly, or go down a hook size for Round 1.
Side bars slant: check that the bars connect ch 26 to ch 36 and ch 6 to ch 16. Counting from the wrong ring chain shifts the bar.
Points curl or round off: you may have worked only 2 sc in a corner. Recount: Round 2 needs 48 sc and Round 3 needs 56.
Diamonds twist on the strand: start every link from the B corner center, not beside it. Blocking and hanging also help.
Strand too short or too long: add or remove diamond repeats. Each one changes the length by 6.5 in (16.5 cm). For example, 12 diamonds give a strand of 81 in (205.7 cm).
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, roll the strand in a towel to remove excess water, and dry it flat, reshaping each diamond. Avoid hot dryers, which can shrink cotton and distort the bars.
Final Notes
The whole strand depends on a short chain of measurements. A gauge of 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm) gives a 16-fsc center bar that is 4 in (10.2 cm) long. That bar holds the 40-chain ring in a diamond shape. Round 2 brings the diamond to 3.5 x 4.5 in (8.9 x 11.4 cm), and the Round 3 edging finishes it at 4 x 5 in (10.2 x 12.7 cm). Each diamond plus its link adds 6.5 in (16.5 cm), and 10 repeats with the loop and tail give 68 in (172.7 cm).
Check your first diamond carefully, and every diamond after it will match. Happy crocheting!