The Blue Meadow Dragonfly Valance combines a lace header band with ten hanging strands. Those strands carry beads, leaf drops and four floating dragonflies. In a sunny window, the open lace and the dangling pieces cast soft, moving shadows.
The palette uses two colors. Denim blue builds the lace, cords, outlines and dragonfly bodies. Cream fills the wings and leaves, makes the light beads and edges the bottom of the band with scallops. The style is cottage-garden: airy, a little vintage and easy to live with.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished valance measures 40.5 in (102.9 cm) wide. The band is 6.5 in (16.5 cm) tall, and the strands hang 16.5 in (41.9 cm) below it, for a total drop of 23 in (58.4 cm).
Construction is modular. You make eight lace squares, join them into a strip and add a border with cream scallops. Then you crochet the small pieces (balls, leaves, wings and thorax discs), sew them onto chain cords and hang the cords from the scallop valleys.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 40.5 in × 6.5 in (102.9 × 16.5 cm) band; total drop 23 in (58.4 cm)
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Sport (2), mercerized cotton
- Hook: 3.0 mm
- Number of pieces: 8 squares, 20 blue balls, 20 cream balls, 16 leaf drops, 4 thorax discs, 16 wings, 10 cords
- Layout: 8 squares in a single row (1 × 8)
- Square size: 5 in (12.7 cm)
- Size before border: 40 in × 5 in (101.6 × 12.7 cm)
- Border depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on the top and sides; 1.25 in (3.2 cm) on the bottom
Materials
Use a smooth mercerized cotton or cotton blend. It gives crisp lace and holds the leaf points well. Avoid fuzzy yarns, because they blur the lace.
- Color A, Denim Blue: 200 g, about 600 m
- Color B, Cream: 100 g, about 300 m
Both amounts include a margin of roughly 20 percent.
Tools:
– 3.0 mm hook
– Tapestry needle
– Stitch markers
– A small amount of polyester fiberfill
– 9 clip-style curtain rings
– Rust-proof pins and a blocking mat
– Measuring tape
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sc2tog: single crochet 2 together
- sp: space
- st(s): stitch(es)
- MR: magic ring
- rep: repeat
Special stitch: back-bump cord. Chain the stated number. Turn, then sl st into the back bump of the 2nd chain from the hook and of each chain across. This makes a firm, non-stretch cord that looks like a braid.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Make one square before anything else. Gauge for this pattern is 33 sc = 5 in (12.7 cm) along one side of Round 6. Chain gauge for the cords is 6 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Square checkpoints (measure across the middle):
– After Round 1: 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
– After Round 3: 2.75 in (7.0 cm)
– After Round 5: 4.5 in (11.4 cm)
– After Round 6: 5 in (12.7 cm)
If your square is larger than 5.25 in (13.3 cm), go down to a 2.75 mm hook. If it is smaller than 4.75 in (12.1 cm), go up to a 3.25 mm hook. Do not change any stitch counts, because the border math depends on 33 stitches per side.
Lace Square (make 8, Color A)
Round 1: MR, ch 3 (counts as dc), 15 dc in ring, sl st to the top of ch-3. (16 dc)
Round 2: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2). Dc in next dc, ch 2; rep from * 14 more times. Sl st in the 3rd ch of the beginning ch-5. (16 dc, 16 ch-2 sps)*
Round 3: Sl st into the first ch-2 sp. Ch 3, 2 dc in the same sp, ch 1. 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * around. Sl st to the top of ch-3. (48 dc in 16 groups, 16 ch-1 sps)*
Round 4 (squaring): Sl st in the next 2 dc and into the ch-1 sp. Ch 3, then work (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in the same sp. This is the first corner.
Ch 3, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 5, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 5, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3. (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp for the corner. Rep from * twice more. Finish the last side with ch 3, sc, ch 5, sc, ch 5, sc, ch 3, then sl st to the top of ch-3. (24 dc, 12 sc, 4 corner ch-3 sps, 8 side ch-3 sps, 8 ch-5 sps)
Round 5: Sl st in the next 2 dc and into the corner sp. Ch 3, then work (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the same sp.
Dc in next 3 dc, 3 dc in ch-3 sp, dc in sc, 5 dc in ch-5 sp, dc in sc, 5 dc in ch-5 sp, dc in sc, 3 dc in ch-3 sp, dc in next 3 dc. (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner sp. Rep from * around, leaving out the final corner. Sl st to the top of ch-3.
Each side has 25 dc between the corner groups, plus 2 dc from each corner group. (116 dc; 29 dc per side)
Round 6: Ch 1. Sc in each dc around, working 3 sc in each corner ch-2 sp. Sl st to the first sc and fasten off.
(128 sc. Each side has 33 sc, which includes the center sc of each corner.) Check: 4 × 33 − 4 shared corners = 128.
Small Pieces
Ball (make 20 in Color A and 20 in Color B):
– Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
– Round 2: 2 sc in each st. (12)
– Round 3: Sc in each st. (12)
– Round 4: Sc2tog 6 times. (6)
Stuff firmly, close the hole and leave a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail. Each ball is about 0.6 in (1.5 cm) across.
Leaf Drop (make 16):
Round 1 (Color B): Ch 10.
– Side 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 5 ch, hdc in next ch.
– Tip: 3 sc in the last ch.
– Side 2, working along the opposite side of the chain: hdc in next ch, dc in next 5 ch, hdc in next ch, 2 sc in the same ch as the first sc.
Sl st to the first sc and fasten off. (20 sts: 8 + 3 + 9)
Round 2 (Color A): Join in any st. Sc in each st, working 3 sc in the center st of each tip. (24 sc)
Round 3 (Color A): Sc in each st around. At the top tip center, work (sc, ch 4, sc) in place of one sc to make a hanging loop. At the bottom tip center, work (sc, ch 3, sc) to make a picot. Fasten off. (26 sc, plus 1 ch-4 loop and 1 ch-3 picot)
On the 12 leaves that will hang at the end of a strand, embroider a Color A chain-stitch vein along the foundation chain. The 4 mid-strand leaves get their vein from the cord (see Assembly). Each leaf measures about 2.5 in × 1.25 in (6.4 × 3.2 cm) including the loop.
Upper Wing (make 8):
Round 1 (Color B): Ch 16.
– Side 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc, dc in next 11 ch, hdc.
– Tip: 3 sc in the last ch.
– Side 2: hdc, dc in next 11 ch, hdc, 2 sc in the first ch.
Sl st to the first sc and fasten off. (32 sts)
Round 2 (Color A): Sc in each st, working 3 sc in the center st of each tip. Fasten off. (36 sc)
Each upper wing is about 2.75 in (7.0 cm) long.
Lower Wing (make 8): Work as the upper wing, but start with ch 13 and work dc in the next 8 ch on each side. (Round 1: 26 sts. Round 2: 30 sc.) Each lower wing is about 2.25 in (5.7 cm) long.
Thorax (make 4, Color A):
– Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
– Round 2: 2 sc in each st. (12)
– Round 3: Sc, 2 sc in next; rep from * around. (18)*
The thorax is a flat disc 1 in (2.5 cm) across.
Dragonfly assembly: Sew 1 blue ball directly above the thorax as the head. Sew one upper wing and one lower wing to each side of the thorax at the base (the narrow, first-chain end). Angle the upper wings slightly up and the lower wings slightly down. Wingspan is about 6.5 in (16.5 cm).
Make All Pieces
| Piece | Color A | Color B | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lace squares | 8 | – | 8 |
| Balls | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| Leaf drops (two colors) | edges | centers | 16 |
| Wings (two colors) | edges | centers | 16 |
| Thorax discs | 4 | – | 4 |
| Cords (ch 84 each) | 10 | – | 10 |
Layout grid (squares across the top, strands below, B = bead strand, D = dragonfly strand):
[ S1 ][ S2 ][ S3 ][ S4 ][ S5 ][ S6 ][ S7 ][ S8 ]
B D B D B B D B D B
Joining
Lay two squares right sides up with the edges touching. Using Color A, whipstitch through the back loops only. Match the stitches one to one, from corner sc to corner sc: 33 stitches to 33 stitches. Joining through the back loops adds no new stitches and leaves a fine ridge on the front.
Join all eight squares into one row with 7 seams. Keep your tension even: snug enough to close any gaps, loose enough that the seam lies flat and does not pucker. Steam each seam lightly as you go.
Checkpoint: the strip should measure 40 in × 5 in (101.6 × 12.7 cm).
Border
The border uses the same gauge as the squares: 33 sc = 5 in (12.7 cm).
Starting counts: each long side has 8 squares × 33 = 264 sts. Each short side has 1 × 33 = 33 sts. The outer corner sts of the strip are already included in these counts.
Round 1 (Color A): Join in any st. Sc in each st around, working 3 sc in each of the 4 outer corner sts. Sl st to the first sc.
– Long sides: 266 sts each, counting both new corner centers
– Short sides: 35 sts each
– Total: 2 × 264 + 2 × 33 − 4 + 8 = 598 sc
Round 2 (Color B, bottom edge only): Join with sc in the bottom-left corner center st. Skip 1 st, 3 dc in next st, 3 dc in next st, skip 1 st, sc in next st. Rep from * across, ending with sc in the bottom-right corner center. Fasten off. (53 scallops: 318 dc + 54 sc = 372 sts)
Round 3 (Color B, bottom edge only): Join with sl st in the first sc. Sc in next 2 dc, 2 sc in each of next 2 dc, sc in next 2 dc, sl st in next sc. Rep from * 52 more times. Fasten off. (424 sc + 54 sl st = 478 sts)
Why the math works: each scallop uses 5 stitches (sc, skip, two shell sts, skip). One final sc closes the row. 1 + 5 × 53 = 266, which uses every stitch on the bottom edge exactly. The 54 valley sl sts are numbered 0 to 53 from left to right.
Hang the strands from valleys 4, 9, 14, 19, 24, 29, 34, 39, 44 and 49. That spaces them 25 sts apart, about 3.8 in (9.7 cm), and leaves 4 scallops on each end so the layout is symmetrical.
Cords and Strand Assembly
Make 10 back-bump cords of ch 84. Each cord is 14 in (35.6 cm) long. Sew the top of each cord to its valley. Measure every position below from the scallop valley. Sew each ball over the cord with the cord running down its back so the ball sits in line.
Bead strand (B, make 6):
– Blue ball at 2 in (5.1 cm)
– Cream ball at 4 in (10.2 cm)
– Leaf drop from 6 in (15.2 cm): slide the cord through its loop and sew the cord along the leaf’s center front to form the vein, ending at the tip
– Cream ball at 10 in (25.4 cm)
– Blue ball at 12 in (30.5 cm)
– At the end of the cord, 14 in (35.6 cm), sew on a leaf drop by its loop
Dragonfly strand (D, make 4):
– Blue ball at 3 in (7.6 cm)
– Cream ball at 5 in (12.7 cm)
– Dragonfly head top at 7 in (17.8 cm), with the cord passing behind the head and thorax
– The 2.9 in (7.4 cm) of bare cord below the thorax forms the tail
– Cream ball at 11.5 in (29.2 cm)
– Leaf drop at the end of the cord, 14 in (35.6 cm)
All strands end at 16.5 in (41.9 cm).
Final Blocking
- Soak the band, without strands, in cool water for 10 minutes. Press the water out in a towel.
- Pin it to 40.5 in × 6.5 in (102.9 × 16.5 cm), keeping the top edge straight.
- Pin each scallop into a rounded point and open the lace by pinning the ch-5 loops.
- Spray-block the leaves and wings separately, pinning their tips sharp.
- Let everything dry completely before hanging.
- Hang the valance and let it settle for a day. The strands straighten under their own weight.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- [ ] Every square has 33 sts per side
- [ ] The strip measures 40 in (101.6 cm) before the border
- [ ] The bottom edge has 53 even scallops
- [ ] The strands sit on valleys 4 through 49 in steps of 5
- [ ] All cords are the same length
- [ ] The balls are firmly stuffed and sewn on securely
- [ ] The wings are symmetrical on all four dragonflies
- [ ] All ends are woven in through solid sts
Troubleshooting
Square cups: Round 4 chains are too tight. Loosen them, or add 1 ch to each ch-5.
Square ruffles: Your tension on Round 5 is loose. Go down a hook size for that round only.
Scallops don’t fit: Recount Round 1. The bottom edge must have exactly 266 sts.
Strands twist: Steam each cord and hang it with a light weight overnight.
Wings droop: Starch them lightly, or add a second Color A sc round to firm them up.
Lopsided balls: Stuff in small pinches and roll the ball between your palms before closing.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, press out the water in a towel and dry flat. Re-pin the scallops and wing tips if needed.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is short and reliable:
– 33 sts per side make a 5 in (12.7 cm) square.
– Eight squares make a 40 in (101.6 cm) strip.
– The border adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on the top and sides and brings the bottom edge to 266 sts, for 53 scallops.
– Ten 14 in (35.6 cm) cords with their end leaves complete the 23 in (58.4 cm) drop.
Check each link in that chain and the valance will hang straight and even.
Happy crocheting!