Sunlit Seashell Fan Curtain Crochet Pattern

This lace curtain is made from many small half-circle fan motifs. Each fan sits on a cream ring, and tall spokes spread upward from it. The spokes split into V-shapes and end in two layers of open chain arches and large chain loops. Hung against a window, the fans stack into columns of seashells, and light shows through every gap.

The colors are a warm sunset blend of cream, peach, coral, blush pink and pale apricot. One variegated yarn carries all of these shades through the spokes and loops. The rings are worked in solid cream, so they look like a column of round “pearls” running down the curtain.

This pattern uses US crochet terms. One finished panel measures 42 in (106.7 cm) wide by 82.25 in (208.9 cm) long, including a 2 in (5.1 cm) heading band. The photo shows a pair, so make two identical panels for a doorway or wide window.

The construction is simple and repetitive. You make 126 identical fan motifs per panel. You link them into 7 vertical strips of 18 fans using short double-chain bars, then tack the strips together at the fan tips. Last, you work a straight single crochet heading band across the top row of fans for hanging.

Finished Size and Construction

• Finished panel size: 42 in (106.7 cm) wide x 82.25 in (208.9 cm) long
• Skill level: Intermediate (easy stitches, careful assembly)
• Terminology: US crochet terms
• Yarn weight: DK / light (#3) cotton or cotton blend
• Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6)
• Number of pieces: 126 fan motifs per panel (252 for the pair), plus 1 heading band per panel
• Layout: 7 columns x 18 rows of fans, all pointing up
• Motif size: 6 in (15.2 cm) wide x 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall
• Vertical link: 0.75 in (1.9 cm)
• Size before border: 42 in (106.7 cm) x 80.25 in (203.8 cm)
• Border (heading) depth: 2 in (5.1 cm), top edge only

Materials

Choose a smooth mercerized cotton or cotton blend in DK weight, about 115 m per 50 g. Cotton keeps the open loops crisp and drapes well in sunlight. A variegated yarn with long color changes gives the striped spokes seen in the photo. A yarn with short color changes will look speckled instead.

Per panel:

• Color A, cream (solid): 165 g / 380 m, for rings and vertical links
• Color B, sunset variegated (cream, peach, coral, blush, apricot): 650 g / 1,500 m, for fan bodies, edge loops and heading

For the pair: double these amounts, 330 g / 760 m of A and 1,300 g / 3,000 m of B.

All quantities include a margin of about 15% for swatching, tails and joins.

Tools:

• 4.0 mm (US G-6) crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Locking stitch markers
• Measuring tape
• Rust-proof pins and blocking mats
• 15 curtain clip rings per panel

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch – chain
• sl st – slip stitch
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• tr – treble crochet
• sk – skip
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rep – repeat
• RS – right side

Special stitch – V-stitch (V): (dc, ch 1, dc) in the same stitch.

Center ch: the middle chain of a loop. For a ch-13 loop it is the 7th chain. For a ch-5 arch it is the 3rd chain.

Gauge and Checkpoints

Motif gauge: one finished, lightly blocked motif = 6 in (15.2 cm) wide x 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall, measured from the bottom of the ring to the top of Loop 3.

Heading gauge: 18 sc and 20 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc.

Make and block one complete motif before you start the rest. Check these measurements as you go:

• After Round 1: ring outer diameter 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
• After Row 2: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across the spoke tips
• After Row 3: 4.5 in (11.4 cm) across
• After Row 4: 5.25 in (13.3 cm) across
• After Row 5: 6 in (15.2 cm) across

If your motif is larger than 6 in (15.2 cm), go down to a 3.75 mm hook. If it is smaller, go up to a 4.5 mm hook. Being off by only 0.25 in (0.6 cm) per motif adds up to 1.75 in (4.4 cm) across the panel width and 4.5 in (11.4 cm) down its length, so do not skip this step.

Fan Motif

Each motif is a full ring with a half-circle fan worked in rows across its top half.

Ring

With Color A, ch 10, sl st in first ch to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, 20 sc in ring, sl st in first sc to join. (20 sc)

Fasten off A and weave in the end.

Number the sc 1 to 20 in the order you worked them. Sc 1 through sc 11 form the top half, with sc 6 at the very top. Sc 16 sits at the very bottom, and the vertical link will attach there later. Place a marker in sc 16.

Fan Body

Row 2 (RS): Join Color B with sl st in sc 1. Ch 4 (counts as tr), ch 2, tr in next sc; rep from * 9 more times, ending in sc 11. Turn. (11 tr, 10 ch-2 sps)*

These 11 tr are the spokes. They spread evenly across the top half of the ring.

Row 3: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), dc in first tr (beginning V made). Ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, V in next tr; rep from * 8 more times, ch 2, V in top of ch-4 turning chain. Turn. (11 V-sts = 22 dc, 10 ch-2 sps)*

Each spoke now splits into a small V at its outer end.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp of first V, ch 5, sc in ch-1 sp of next V; rep from * 9 more times. Turn. (11 sc, 10 ch-5 arches)*

This is the inner layer of small chain arches, with one arch between each pair of spokes.

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 13, sk next arch, next sc and next arch, sc in next sc; rep from * 4 more times. (6 sc, 5 ch-13 loops)*

Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail for tacking.

These 5 large loops form the outer scalloped edge. Number them Loop 1 to Loop 5 in the order you worked them. Loop 3 is at the very top, and the tail hangs at the Loop 5 side.

Weave in the Row 2 starting tail. Keep the Row 5 tail.

Make All Pieces

Per panel: make 126 motifs. Each motif uses about 2 m of Color A and about 9.5 m of Color B.

For the pair: make 252 motifs.

Steam or lightly wet-block the motifs in batches of 10 to 20 before assembly. Flat, matching motifs make joining much easier.

Lay out each panel with the RS facing you, every fan pointing up and Loop 5 on the right. Text layout grid (C = column, F = fan):

     C1  C2  C3  C4  C5  C6  C7
R1   F   F   F   F   F   F   F    <- heading band above
R2   F   F   F   F   F   F   F
R3   F   F   F   F   F   F   F
...  (repeat rows)
R17  F   F   F   F   F   F   F
R18  F   F   F   F   F   F   F    <- bottom edge, loose scallops

Each column is a vertical strip of 18 fans. Mix motifs from different yarn balls so the color changes spread evenly.

Joining

Join in two steps: vertical links first, then side tacks.

Step 1: Vertical Links (make 7 strips)

Each link is a short double-chain bar from the bottom of one ring to the top of the fan below it.

1. Cut a 16 in (40.6 cm) length of Color A.
2. Join with sl st in the marked sc 16 at the bottom of the upper motif’s ring.
3. Ch 4.
4. Sl st in the center ch (7th ch) of Loop 3 of the motif below.
5. Sl st in each of the 4 ch back up, then sl st in sc 16 again.
6. Fasten off and weave in both ends.

Each link adds 0.75 in (1.9 cm) between motifs. Each strip of 18 motifs needs 17 links, so each panel needs 119 links.

Keep these 4 chains the same size as your normal chains. A tight link pulls the fan below into a point. A loose link lets the strip stretch over time.

Strip checkpoint: 18 x 3.75 in + 17 x 0.75 in = 67.5 in + 12.75 in = 80.25 in (203.8 cm). Measure the strip flat without stretching it. If it is off by more than 1 in (2.5 cm), check your link tension first.

Step 2: Side Tacks (join the strips)

Place two strips side by side, RS up, with their rows lined up. Loop 5 of each left-hand motif touches Loop 1 of the matching right-hand motif.

Thread the Row 5 tail of the left motif onto a yarn needle. Whipstitch the center 3 chains of its Loop 5 to the center 3 chains of the neighboring Loop 1. Use 3 small stitches, then weave the tail into Loop 5 and trim.

Tack all 18 rows on each seam. With 7 strips there are 6 seams, so each panel has 108 tacks. Weave in the tails on the right-hand column.

The tacks should hold the loops together without bunching them. Each fan should still lie flat and keep its open half-circle shape.

Size checkpoint: 7 x 6 in = 42 in (106.7 cm) wide, and 80.25 in (203.8 cm) long.

Border (Heading Band)

The border is worked along the top edge only. The sides and bottom keep their natural fan scallops, as shown in the photo.

Border gauge: 18 sc and 20 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm), or 4.5 sc per inch.

Each top motif adds exactly 27 stitches to the heading:

• ch 5 + dc + ch 7 + sc + ch 7 + dc + ch 5 = 27

Between motifs, the two ch-5 segments sit side by side, so they are written as one ch 10.

Row 1 (RS): With RS facing, join B with sl st in center ch of Loop 5 of the top-right motif (not counted). Ch 5, dc in center ch of Loop 4, ch 7, sc in center ch of Loop 3, ch 7, dc in center ch of Loop 2. *Ch 10, dc in center ch of Loop 4 of the next motif, ch 7, sc in center ch of Loop 3, ch 7, dc in center ch of Loop 2; rep from * 5 more times. Ch 5, sl st in center ch of Loop 1 of the last motif (not counted). Turn.

Count every chain, dc and sc as one stitch: 5 + (7 motifs x 17) + (6 x 10) + 5 = 189 stitches. That equals 7 motifs x 27 stitches.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each dc, sc and ch across, skipping both end sl sts. Turn. (189 sc)

Rows 3–10: Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Turn. (189 sc each row)

Fasten off and weave in the ends. Clip the 15 rings evenly along the top edge, about every 3 in (7.6 cm).

Why the math works: 189 sc ÷ 4.5 sc per inch = 42 in (106.7 cm), which matches the 7 x 6 in (15.2 cm) motif width. The dc stitches sit on Loops 2 and 4, which are about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) lower than Loop 3, so Row 1 comes out level. Ten rows at 5 rows per inch make a 2 in (5.1 cm) band. The final length is 80.25 in + 2 in = 82.25 in (208.9 cm).

Final Blocking

1. Weave in any remaining ends before blocking.
2. Soak the panel in cool water for 10 minutes, then gently press out the water. Do not wring it.
3. Roll it in towels to remove extra moisture.
4. Lay it flat on mats, working in sections if needed.
5. Pin the heading band straight to 42 in (106.7 cm).
6. Pin each column straight down to a total length of 82.25 in (208.9 cm).
7. Pin open every loop (Loops 1 to 5) and every ring so each fan holds a clean half-circle.
8. Let it dry completely, then remove the pins.

Final Quality-Control Checklist

• Every motif measures 6 in (15.2 cm) x 3.75 in (9.5 cm).
• Each motif has 20 sc in the ring, 11 spokes, 11 V-stitches, 10 arches and 5 loops.
• All fans point up, with Loop 5 on the right.
• Every strip has 18 motifs and 17 links.
• Each panel has all 108 side tacks.
• The heading has 189 sc in every row.
• The panel measures 42 in (106.7 cm) x 82.25 in (208.9 cm).
• All ends are woven in securely.

Troubleshooting

• Fan cups or curls: Your chains are too tight. Loosen the Row 4 and Row 5 chains, or go up a hook size for those rows only.
• Fan ruffles: Your chains are too loose. Go down a hook size for Rows 4 and 5.
• Spokes look uneven: Pull each tr up to the same height before you yarn over.
• Strips are different lengths: Redo the tightest or loosest links, then recheck each strip at 80.25 in (203.8 cm).
• Heading is wavy: Recount Row 1 at 27 stitches per motif. Too many chains cause waves. Too few pull the fans together.
• Panel twists when hung: The tacks are pulling unevenly. Redo them with even tension and reblock.

Care

Hand wash in cool water with mild soap and dry flat. Do not hang the panel while wet, because the weight of damp cotton will stretch it.

Final Notes

Every size in this pattern builds on the one before it. One motif is 6 in (15.2 cm) by 3.75 in (9.5 cm). Eighteen motifs with 17 links of 0.75 in (1.9 cm) make an 80.25 in (203.8 cm) strip. Seven strips make 42 in (106.7 cm). The 189-stitch, 2 in (5.1 cm) heading brings the panel to 82.25 in (208.9 cm). If your first motif matches the gauge, every later step will come out right.

Happy crocheting!