The Buttercream Sunrise curtains are made of narrow lace strips. Each strip is a column of half-circle fans stacked on top of each other, and lacy chain arches run along both sides. When the panels hang in a sunny window, the open fans let the light through while the yarn still gives the room a soft, warm glow.
This set uses a single color, a pale butter yellow cotton. The style is cottage-romantic but not fussy: the fans open upward like small rising suns and the chain edges give a neat vertical rhythm. This pattern uses US crochet terms throughout.
Each finished panel measures 28 in (71.1 cm) wide by 82 in (208.3 cm) long. The pattern makes a pair, so you will make two panels.
You crochet each strip from the bottom up in a 3-row fan repeat. Then you join 8 strips side by side with a flat slip-stitch zigzag, add a solid top band for clip rings and a scalloped bottom edge, and block. Because the work is broken into strips, you only ever have a light, narrow piece in your lap until the final joining.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size (each panel): 28 in (71.1 cm) wide x 82 in (208.3 cm) long
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: DK / light (#3) cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4)
- Number of pieces: 16 strips in total (8 per panel), joined into 2 panels
- Layout: each panel is 8 strips side by side in 1 row
- Strip size: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide x 80 in (203.2 cm) long, 53 fans per strip
- Panel size before border: 28 in (71.1 cm) x 80 in (203.2 cm)
- Border depth: 1 in (2.5 cm) at the top and 1 in (2.5 cm) at the bottom; the sides have no added border
Materials
Yarn: Use a smooth mercerized or matte cotton in DK weight. Cotton holds the fan shape, blocks crisply and does not stretch out of shape when it hangs. Avoid fuzzy or very stretchy yarns: the fans blur and long panels can grow.
- Pale butter yellow: about 1,700 g / 4,250 m total (about 34 balls of 50 g / 125 m), which is about 850 g / 2,125 m per panel
Each strip uses about 90 g (225 m), and the borders and joining add about 60 g (150 m) per panel. The quantities include a margin of roughly 10% for swatching and dye-lot safety. Buy all your yarn from one dye lot.
Tools:
- 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Measuring tape
- Blocking mats or a clean carpet with a sheet, plus rust-proof pins
- Spray bottle
- 24 curtain clip rings (12 per panel)
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sk – skip
- sp(s) – space(s)
- tch – turning chain
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
Special stitch – Fan: (dc, ch 1) 6 times in the same stitch, then dc once more in that stitch. This gives 7 dc and 6 ch-1 sps, spreading out from one base stitch.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Make one complete test section of a strip before you start the real strips.
Swatch: Ch 18. Work Row 1, then work Rows 2–4 four times (4 fans). Block lightly.
- Width: 3.5 in (8.9 cm)
- Row 1: 0.5 in (1.3 cm) tall
- Each fan repeat (Rows 2–4): 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall
- 4-fan swatch: 0.5 + (4 x 1.5) = 6.5 in (16.5 cm) tall
- Border gauge: 17 sc = 3.5 in (8.9 cm); 4 sc rows = 1 in (2.5 cm)
If the swatch is too big, go down to a 3.25 mm (D-3) hook. If it is too small, go up to a 3.75 mm (F-5) hook. Watch the width most closely. Being 1/4 in (0.6 cm) wider per strip adds 2 in (5.1 cm) across 8 strips.
Strip checkpoints:
- After 10 fans: 0.5 + 15 = 15.5 in (39.4 cm)
- After 27 fans: 0.5 + 40.5 = 41 in (104.1 cm)
- After 53 fans: 0.5 + 79.5 = 80 in (203.2 cm)
If the length drifts, count fans instead of adding or removing rows. Every strip must have exactly 53 fans so the panels join level.
Strip Pattern (Make 16)
Each strip starts at the bottom edge. The fans open upward.
Foundation: Ch 18.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in the 2nd ch from hook, ch 5, sk 3 ch, sc in next ch; repeat from * 3 more times. (5 sc, 4 ch-5 arches)
Label the sc 1 to 5 from right to left, and the arches A1 to A4. Sc 3 is the center stitch, and every fan grows from it.
Row 2 (WS) – fan base: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), turn. Sc in the next ch-5 arch, ch 2, sk the next arch, work a Fan in the center sc, ch 2, sk the next arch, sc in the last arch, ch 2, dc in the last sc. (2 edge dc, 2 sc, 7 fan dc = 11 sts; plus 4 ch-2 sps and 6 ch-1 sps)
The two skipped center arches sit behind the base of the fan.
Row 3 (RS) – fan spokes: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), turn. Sc in the next sc, ch 2, dc in the first fan dc, ch 2, dc in the next fan dc; repeat from * 5 more times, ch 2, sc in the next sc, ch 2, dc in the 3rd ch of the tch. (2 edge dc, 2 sc, 7 fan dc = 11 sts; 10 ch-2 sps)
The ch-2 spaces open the fan into a half circle.
Row 4 (WS) – fan arches: Ch 1, turn. Sc in the first dc, ch 5, sc in the 2nd fan dc, ch 5, sc in the 4th (center) fan dc, ch 5, sc in the 6th fan dc, ch 5, sc in the 3rd ch of the tch. (5 sc, 4 ch-5 arches)
These four arches form the curved outer edge of the fan. The center sc now sits at the top of the fan, so the next fan grows from there. Row 4 has the same count as Row 1, so the repeat stays the same width.
Rows 5 onward: Repeat Rows 2–4 until you have 53 fans in total, ending with a Row 4. That is 1 + (53 x 3) = 160 rows. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Strip checkpoint: 5 sc and 4 arches at the top, 160 rows along each side edge, and a size of 3.5 in (8.9 cm) x 80 in (203.2 cm) after a light steam.
Make All Pieces
- Pale butter yellow: 16 strips (8 per panel)
Steam or pin each strip to 3.5 in x 80 in (8.9 cm x 203.2 cm) before joining. Strips of the same length join much more easily.
Layout (each panel, RS facing, Row 1 at the bottom):
[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S7][S8]
Every strip faces the same way, with its foundation chain at the bottom and its fans opening upward.
Joining
Method: Flat slip-stitch zigzag, worked with the RS facing.
- Lay strips S1 and S2 side by side with the RS up and the bottom edges level.
- Attach yarn at the Row 1 end of S1. Sl st into the Row 1 end of S2.
- Go back across and sl st into the Row 2 end of S1, then into the Row 2 end of S2. Continue alternating up the seam.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: Each strip has 160 row ends per side, so every seam uses 160 sl sts into strip A and 160 sl sts into strip B. Row 1 end matches Row 1 end, and the fans stay level across the panel. For dc rows, work the sl st around the post of the edge dc. For sc rows, work into the edge sc itself.
Tension: Keep the slip stitches loose, about the height of a sc. If they are tight, the seam pulls in and the panel puckers. Lay the seam flat every 10 fans and check that it does not ripple or tighten.
Join S2 to S3 in the same way, and keep going until all 7 seams are worked.
Size checkpoint: The joined panel measures 28 in (71.1 cm) wide x 80 in (203.2 cm) long. The joins add no measurable width, so 8 x 3.5 in = 28 in.
Border
Border gauge: 17 sc = 3.5 in (8.9 cm). The border is worked only across the top and bottom edges. The sides keep the natural chain edge of S1 and S8.
Top Band
With the RS facing, join yarn in the first sc at the top of S1.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1. In each strip, sc in each of the 5 sc and work 3 sc in each of the 4 ch-5 arches. Continue straight onto the next strip without extra stitches at the seams. (Per strip: 5 + 12 = 17 sc. Across: 8 x 17 = 136 sc)
Rows 2–4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across. (136 sc)
Fasten off. The top band is 1 in (2.5 cm) deep.
Bottom Scallop Edge
Turn the panel so that the foundation chains are at the top, with the RS facing.
Row 1 (RS): Join yarn in the first foundation ch of S1. Sc in each of the 17 foundation chains of every strip (the chains at the base of Row 1). (8 x 17 = 136 sc)
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc to the last sc, 2 sc in the last sc. (136 worked one per stitch + 1 extra = 137 sc)
Row 3 (RS): Ch 1, turn, sc in the first sc, sk 1, 5 dc in the next sc, sk 1, sc in the next sc; repeat from * 33 more times. (34 scallops: 34 x 5 dc + 35 sc = 205 sts)
Fasten off. The bottom edge is 1 in (2.5 cm) deep.
Why the math works: Each strip ends with exactly 17 border stitches (5 sc + 3 x 4 arches, or 17 foundation chains), and 17 sc matches the 3.5 in (8.9 cm) strip width. Eight strips give 136 stitches across, which is 28 in (71.1 cm), with no extra stitches at the seams. The scallop repeat needs a multiple of 4 plus 1, and 137 = (34 x 4) + 1. The single extra stitch in Row 2 makes the scallops fit evenly from edge to edge.
Repeat the joining and border steps for the second panel.
Final Blocking
- Soak each panel in cool water with a little wool wash for 15 minutes.
- Press out the water gently. Roll the panel in towels, and do not wring it.
- Lay it flat on mats or a sheet-covered carpet.
- Pin it to 28 in x 82 in (71.1 cm x 208.3 cm). Pin the top band straight first, then the bottom edge.
- Pin the tip of each scallop to make it round. Then run your fingers up each fan column to open the spokes evenly.
- Pin both side edges straight, about every 4 in (10.2 cm).
- Let it dry completely, which usually takes 24–48 hours.
- Sew or clip 12 rings evenly along the top band, about every 2.5 in (6.4 cm), with the end rings at the corners.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- [ ] All 16 strips have 53 fans and 160 rows
- [ ] Each strip is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide
- [ ] The fans line up level across each panel
- [ ] The seams lie flat with no puckers
- [ ] The top band has 136 sc in every row
- [ ] The bottom edge has 34 even scallops
- [ ] Each panel measures 28 in x 82 in (71.1 cm x 208.3 cm)
- [ ] Both panels match in length to within 1/2 in (1.3 cm)
- [ ] All ends are woven in securely
Troubleshooting
The fans cup or ruffle. Your Row 2 dc are too loose for the arches. Go down half a hook size, or work a tighter ch 2 in Row 3.
The fans look squeezed. The Row 4 arches are too short. Check that each one is a true ch 5, and keep the chains even.
The strips are different lengths. Count the fans rather than measuring. Block each strip to the same length before joining.
The seam ripples. The slip stitches are too loose or a row end was skipped. Count 160 on each side.
The top band flares. Check for 17 sc per strip. Stitches added at the seams are the usual cause.
The scallops do not fit at the end. Confirm that Row 2 ended with 137 sc.
Care
Hand wash in cool water, or machine wash on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag, then lay flat to dry. Re-pin to 28 in x 82 in (71.1 cm x 208.3 cm) if needed. Do not hang the panels wet, because damp cotton can stretch.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is simple. A 3.5 in (8.9 cm) strip with 53 fans of 1.5 in (3.8 cm), plus 0.5 in (1.3 cm) for Row 1, is 80 in (203.2 cm). Eight strips make 28 in (71.1 cm) across, and 136 border stitches keep that width exactly. The 1 in (2.5 cm) top band and 1 in (2.5 cm) scallop edge bring each panel to 82 in (208.3 cm). Check the swatch, count the fans, and the panels will hang straight and even.
Happy crocheting!