This tab-top curtain panel combines cream openwork lace with plump cornflower-blue flowers. The flowers line up in neat vertical columns, framed by trellis mesh and small leaf clusters, so the panel reads as a light cottage-style lace that still lets the sun through.
The palette is just two colors. Ivory cream is used for the lace, flower centers and outlines, and a soft denim blue for the petals. Shell scallops finish the lower edge, and seven tabs along the top slide straight onto a curtain rod.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. One finished panel measures 43 in (109.2 cm) wide and 78.5 in (199.4 cm) long from the top edge to the scallop points. The tab loops add 3 in (7.6 cm) above that. Make two panels for a pair.
Each panel is built from 66 identical square motifs, 6 across and 11 down. Crochet the motifs, whipstitch them together, then work a two-round border with scallops along the bottom. Add the tabs last.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished panel size: 43 in x 78.5 in (109.2 cm x 199.4 cm), plus 3 in (7.6 cm) tab loops
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: DK (#3) cotton
- Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6)
- Number of pieces: 66 square motifs per panel (132 for a pair), plus 7 tabs per panel
- Layout: 6 squares across x 11 squares down
- Piece size: 7 in x 7 in (17.8 cm x 17.8 cm)
- Size before border: 42 in x 77 in (106.7 cm x 195.6 cm)
- Border depth: 0.5 in (1.3 cm) on the sides and top, and 1 in (2.5 cm) at the bottom scallop points
Materials
Use a smooth mercerized or combed cotton in DK weight. Cotton holds a crisp lace shape and sags less than acrylic. It also stands up well to window sunlight. A typical ball is 50 g / 115 m (126 yd).
For one panel:
– Color A, ivory cream: 850 g / 1955 m (17 balls)
– Color B, cornflower blue: 250 g / 575 m (5 balls)
For a pair: 1700 g / 3910 m of Color A and 500 g / 1150 m of Color B.
Tools:
– 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook
– Tapestry needle
– Stitch markers
– Scissors
– Tape measure
– Blocking mats, rustproof pins and a spray bottle
All quantities include a margin of about 10 percent for swatching and differences in tension.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet
- sk: skip
- sp(s): space(s)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- RS / WS: right side / wrong side
- BLO: back loop only
Special stitch: leaf cluster (tr-cl).
1. Yarn over twice, insert the hook in the space and pull up a loop.
2. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops, then do that once more.
3. Repeat from * to * 2 more times in the same space.
4. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on the hook.
Beginning leaf cluster (beg tr-cl): Ch 3. Work the tr-cl as above with only 2 repeats, so you pull through 3 loops at the end.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Make one complete square and block it before you commit to 66. A finished square should measure 7 in x 7 in (17.8 cm x 17.8 cm) after blocking.
Checkpoints:
– After Round 3: the outlined flower measures 3 in (7.6 cm) across.
– After Round 5: 4.5 in (11.4 cm) from side to side.
– After Round 8: 6.5 in (16.5 cm) from side to side.
– After Round 9: 7 in (17.8 cm) from side to side.
Edge gauge: Each side of Round 9 has 27 sts over 7 in (17.8 cm). That works out to about 3.9 sts per inch (1.5 sts per cm).
If your square is too big, switch to a 3.75 mm hook. If it is too small, switch to a 4.5 mm hook. An error of 0.25 in (0.6 cm) per square adds up to 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across the width and 2.75 in (7.0 cm) down the length.
Square Motif (Make 66 per Panel)
Round 1: Flower Center (Color A)
Make a magic ring. Ch 1, work 16 sc in the ring and join with a sl st to the first sc. Pull the ring tight. Fasten off. (16 sts)
Round 2: Petals (Color B)
Join Color B with a sl st in any sc.
(Hdc, dc, tr, tr, dc, hdc) in the next sc, then sl st in the next sc. Repeat from * 7 more times. The last sl st lands in the joining st. Fasten off.
(8 petals of 6 sts each: 48 petal sts + 8 sl sts)
The two tr in each petal form its rounded tip. Gently cup each petal with your fingertips.
Round 3: Petal Outline (Color A)
Join Color A with a sc in the sl st between any 2 petals.
Sc in the hdc, sc in the dc, 2 sc in each of the next 2 tr, sc in the dc, sc in the hdc, then sc in the next sl st. Repeat around. End the last repeat after the hdc and join to the first sc.
Count: 56 sts worked 1 per existing st + 16 extra (the tr increases) = 72 sts, or 9 per petal.
This round makes the scalloped cream outline around each petal.
Round 4: Loops
Sl st in each of the next 4 sc to reach the petal tip.
Ch 1. Sc in the petal tip, ch 7, then go to the 4th sc of the next petal. Repeat around and join to the first sc.
(8 sc + 8 ch-7 loops)
Round 5: Squaring Round
Sl st into the next loop. From here on, the loops alternate: the first is a corner loop, the next is a side loop, and so on.
- First corner: Ch 3 (counts as dc), then work (2 dc, 2 tr, ch 3, 2 tr, 3 dc) in this loop.
- Repeat 3 times: Dc in the next sc. Work (2 dc, 5 hdc, 2 dc) in the side loop. Dc in the next sc. Work (3 dc, 2 tr, ch 3, 2 tr, 3 dc) in the corner loop.
- Finish: Dc in the next sc, work (2 dc, 5 hdc, 2 dc) in the last side loop, dc in the last sc, then join.
Each side has 5 + 1 + 9 + 1 + 5 = 21 sts between corner ch-3 sps, for 84 sts total plus 4 corner sps.
Round 6: Mesh
Sl st to the corner sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), then work (dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in the same sp.
(Ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in the next st) 10 times. Ch 1, then sk the last st. Work (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in the corner sp. Repeat around, leaving out the final corner, and join.
Each side has 14 dc and 11 ch-1 sps between corner sps.
Round 7: Trellis
Sl st into the corner sp. Ch 1, then work (sc, ch 3, sc) in the corner sp.
Ch 3, sc in the 1st ch-1 sp. (Ch 3, sk the next ch-1 sp, sc in the next ch-1 sp) 5 times; the last sc lands in the 11th sp. Ch 3, then work (sc, ch 3, sc) in the corner sp. Repeat around, leaving out the final corner, and join.
Each side has 6 sc and 7 ch-3 loops between corner groups.
Round 8: Shells and Leaves
Sl st into the corner sp. Work (beg tr-cl, ch 3, tr-cl) in the corner sp.
Work 3 dc in each of the 7 ch-3 loops, skipping the sc between them. Work (tr-cl, ch 3, tr-cl) in the corner sp. Repeat around, leaving out the final corner, and join.
Each side has 1 + 21 + 1 = 23 sts between corner sps, for 92 sts total.
The paired clusters lean outward like small leaves. Where four squares meet, they form a leafy rosette between the flowers.
Round 9: Edge
Ch 1. Sc in each st around, with 3 sc in each corner ch-3 sp. Join. On every other square, leave a 24 in (61.0 cm) tail for joining before you fasten off.
Count: 92 sts worked 1 per existing st + 12 sc in the corner sps = 104 sts.
The middle sc of each corner group is the corner stitch. Each side has 27 sts, including both corner stitches.
Make All Pieces
Make 66 squares per panel, or 132 for a pair. Color A works Rounds 1 and 3–9, and Color B works Round 2. Weave in the ends as you go. Block the squares in batches to 7 in (17.8 cm).
Layout per panel (every square is identical):
Row 1: [F][F][F][F][F][F] <- top (tabs)
Row 2: [F][F][F][F][F][F]
Row 3: [F][F][F][F][F][F]
Row 4: [F][F][F][F][F][F]
Row 5: [F][F][F][F][F][F]
Row 6: [F][F][F][F][F][F]
Row 7: [F][F][F][F][F][F]
Row 8: [F][F][F][F][F][F]
Row 9: [F][F][F][F][F][F]
Row 10: [F][F][F][F][F][F]
Row 11: [F][F][F][F][F][F] <- bottom (scallops)
The flowers form six straight vertical columns.
Joining
Method: Whipstitch through the back loops (BLO) using Color A.
Hold two squares RS together. Starting at a corner stitch, whipstitch through the BLO of each matching pair of stitches. Each side has 27 stitches, and they match 1 to 1 from corner stitch to corner stitch, with nothing added or skipped.
- Join the squares into 11 horizontal strips of 6.
- Join the strips along their long edges. Each long seam matches 6 x 27 = 162 pairs of stitches.
- At every place where four squares meet, take one extra stitch through all four corner stitches.
Tension: Keep the seams snug but as stretchy as the squares. If a seam puckers, it is too tight. If gaps show between squares, it is too loose.
Size checkpoint: The joined panel should measure 42 in x 77 in (106.7 cm x 195.6 cm).
Border
Border gauge: 27 sts per 7 in (17.8 cm), the same as the square edges.
Starting counts: The border uses each square’s own edge stitches, with nothing added at the seams.
– Top and bottom: 6 x 27 = 162 sts each
– Long sides: 11 x 27 = 297 sts each
The 4 outer corner stitches are each shared by 2 sides, so the panel edge totals 2 x 162 + 2 x 297 – 4 = 914 sts.
Border Round 1 (Color A)
Hold the panel RS facing. Join with a sc in the stitch after the top-left corner stitch. Sc in each st around, working (sc, ch 2, sc) in each of the 4 outer corner stitches. Join.
Count: 914 sts worked 1 per existing st + 4 extra = 918 sc.
Between the corner ch-2 sps, that leaves 162 sc on the top and bottom and 297 sc on each long side.
Border Round 2 (Color A)
Sl st into the top-left corner sp. Ch 1. Work (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner sp as you reach it, and the edges as follows:
– Top edge: Sc in each of the 162 sts.
– Right side: Sc in each of the 297 sts.
– Bottom edge: Sk 2 sts, 7 dc in the next st, sk 2 sts, sc in the next st. Work this 27 times in total. The last sc lands in the 162nd stitch.
– Left side: Sc in each of the 297 sts, then join.
Why the math works: Each scallop uses exactly 6 stitches, and 162 ÷ 6 = 27. The scallops start and end cleanly at the corners, with 4.5 scallops per square.
Final counts between corner groups:
– Top: 162 sc
– Each long side: 297 sc
– Bottom: 27 shells of 7 dc plus 27 sc, for 216 sts
Fasten off.
Tabs (Make 7 per Panel)
Work the tabs into the 162 top-edge sts. Each tab uses 12 sts, and the 6 gaps use 13 sts each: 7 x 12 + 6 x 13 = 84 + 78 = 162.
Hold the panel RS facing and join Color A in the first stitch of a tab section.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each of the 12 sts, turn. (12 sts)
Rows 2–27: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn. (12 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. Each tab measures about 3.1 in (7.9 cm) wide and 6 in (15.2 cm) long. Skip 13 sts, about 3.4 in (8.6 cm), and work the next tab. The first and last tabs sit flush with the corners.
Fold each tab to the WS. Whipstitch Row 27 to the base of the tab along the Border Round 1 stitches. This forms a 3 in (7.6 cm) loop.
Final Blocking
- Weave all remaining ends along the seams, not through the open mesh.
- Soak the panel in cool water with a mild wash for 15 minutes. Press the water out without wringing.
- Roll the panel in towels to remove excess moisture.
- Pin it flat with the long sides straight. Check that the width is 43 in (109.2 cm).
- Pin each scallop into a gentle curve. Check that the length to the scallop points is 78.5 in (199.4 cm).
- Pin the corner leaf clusters outward so the trellis opens up.
- Let it dry fully. Press the tabs through a cloth with a warm iron.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Every square measures 7 in (17.8 cm) and has 27 sts per side.
- All 8 petals are even, and the cream outline lies flat.
- The flowers form 6 straight columns.
- The seams lie flat, and the corners meet at every intersection.
- Border Round 1 has 162 sts on the top and bottom and 297 on each long side.
- The bottom has 27 even scallops.
- All 7 tabs are evenly spaced, the same length and securely sewn.
- The panel measures 43 in x 78.5 in (109.2 cm x 199.4 cm).
Troubleshooting
- Square cups: The Round 4 loops are too short. Try ch 8 or loosen your tension.
- Square ruffles: Go down one hook size.
- Petals twist: Work each petal into one sc only, then sl st into the next sc.
- Rounded corners: Check that you worked the tr in Round 5 and the tr-cl in Round 8 at the corners, and pin the corners firmly when blocking.
- Wavy hem: Recount Border Round 1 for exactly 162 sts on the bottom edge. The scallops need a multiple of 6.
- Panel lengthens when hung: Re-block it while it hangs. Use mercerized cotton.
Care
Hand wash in cool water, or machine wash on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag, then dry flat. Rehang the panel while it is slightly damp so the folds settle evenly.
Final Notes
Each square has 27 sts per side and measures 7 in (17.8 cm). Six squares across give 162 sts and 42 in (106.7 cm). Eleven squares down give 297 sts and 77 in (195.6 cm). The border brings the panel to 43 in x 78.5 in (109.2 cm x 199.4 cm). The 27 scallops and 7 tabs both divide the same 162-stitch edge exactly. Get the first square right, and everything after it follows.
Happy crocheting!