The Golden Ginkgo strand is a light, airy hanging piece made of three-lobed fan motifs, each linked to the next by a slim corded stem. Hung in a window, the open center rings and gaps between the fans let light through, so the strand glows rather than blocks the view.
This pattern uses one color, a soft butter yellow in cotton. Cotton gives crisp stitch definition and helps the fans hold their shape when they hang. The style is botanical and a little vintage, and it suits a sunny bedroom or a reading nook.
All instructions use US crochet terms. The finished strand has 8 motifs and measures about 41.5 in (105.4 cm) from the bottom of the lowest motif to the top of the highest motif. With the top stem and hanging loop it measures about 45.5 in (115.6 cm).
To build it, you make eight separate motifs. Each one starts as a chain ring with a round of single crochet, then gets three fans worked in short rows. The motifs are then joined into a column with corded chain stems, and the top motif gets a hanging stem and loop.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 4 in (10.2 cm) wide x 45.5 in (115.6 cm) long, including the hanging loop
- Skill level: Easy intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: DK (weight 3) cotton
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6)
- Number of pieces: 8 motifs
- Layout: 1 column x 8 motifs, joined vertically
- Piece size: 4 in (10.2 cm) wide x 3 in (7.6 cm) tall per motif
- Size before border: 41.5 in (105.4 cm) long (8 motifs and 7 stems)
- Border depth: 4 in (10.2 cm) (top stem plus hanging loop)
Materials
Yarn: DK-weight cotton or a cotton blend, about 2.2 m per gram (for example, 50 g / 110 m). Choose a smooth, tightly plied yarn so the fans have clean edges and the stems look like cord.
- Butter Yellow: 45 g (about 100 m)
These quantities include about a 50% margin for your gauge swatch and for differences in tension.
Tools:
- 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (at least 3)
- Ruler or tape measure
- Blocking mat and rustproof pins
- Spray bottle
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp – space
- RS – right side
Special technique: Corded stem (back-bump slip stitch). Make the number of chains given. Then, working back along the chain, sl st into the back bump (the ridge on the back of each chain) of each chain. This gives a firm, rounded cord that will not stretch much under the weight of the motifs below.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 dc and 8 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm). For chains, 6 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Make one complete motif before you start the others. One motif is a better test than a flat swatch because the fans show whether your increases lie flat.
Checkpoints:
- After Round 1: The ring measures about 0.9 in (2.3 cm) across its outer edge and has a clear open center.
- After a side fan’s Row 3: The fan measures about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) from the ring edge to its outer edge.
- After the center fan’s Row 4: The center fan measures about 2 in (5.1 cm) from the ring edge to its outer edge.
- Finished motif: 4 in (10.2 cm) wide x 3 in (7.6 cm) tall, within 1/4 in (0.6 cm).
If your motif is too big: Go down to a 3.5 mm hook. If the fans ruffle, also check that you are not adding an extra dc at the end of each row.
If your motif is too small: Go up to a 4.5 mm hook. If the fans cup instead of lying flat, your dc are too tight. Loosen your yarn-over pulls rather than changing the stitch counts.
Motif (Make 8)
Ring
Ch 8 and sl st into the first ch to form a ring.
Round 1 (RS): Ch 1, work 16 sc into the ring, then sl st into the first sc to join. (16 sc)
Number the sc 1 to 16, with sc 1 being the first sc of the round. Turn the ring so sc 1 sits at the bottom (6 o’clock). Sc 9 is then at the top (12 o’clock).
Put markers in sc 4, sc 8, and sc 12. These mark the first stitch of each fan.
Fasten off.
Stitch map for Round 1:
- Left fan: sc 4–6
- Gap: sc 7, left unworked
- Center fan: sc 8–10
- Gap: sc 11, left unworked
- Right fan: sc 12–14
- Base: sc 15, 16, 1, 2, and 3, left unworked (sc 1 takes the stem join later)
The map is symmetric around the line from sc 1 to sc 9, so the motif hangs straight.
Left Fan
Row 1: With RS facing, join yarn with a sl st in sc 4. Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in the same st, then 2 dc in each of sc 5 and sc 6. Turn. (6 dc)
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in the same st, 2 dc in the next st, dc in each of the next 2 sts, then 2 dc in each of the last 2 sts. Turn. (10 dc)
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in the same st, dc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 dc in the next st, dc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 dc in the next st, dc in each of the next 2 sts, then 2 dc in the last st. (14 dc)
Row 3 uses 10 stitches (1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1) and makes 14 (2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2).
Fasten off.
Right Fan
With RS facing, join yarn with a sl st in sc 12. Work Rows 1–3 exactly as for the Left Fan, using sc 12, 13, and 14 for Row 1. (6, 10, 14 dc)
Fasten off.
Center Fan
With RS facing, join yarn with a sl st in sc 8. Work Rows 1–3 as for the Left Fan, using sc 8, 9, and 10 for Row 1. (6, 10, 14 dc) Turn at the end of Row 3.
Row 4: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in the same st, dc in each of the next 3 sts, 2 dc in the next st, dc in each of the next 4 sts, 2 dc in the next st, dc in each of the next 3 sts, then 2 dc in the last st. (18 dc)
Row 4 uses 14 stitches (1 + 3 + 1 + 4 + 1 + 3 + 1) and makes 18 (2 + 3 + 2 + 4 + 2 + 3 + 2).
The increases fall at stitches 1, 5, 10, and 14, which mirror each other, so the fan’s crown stays centered.
Fasten off.
Motif totals: 16 sc in the ring, plus 108 dc across the fans (14 + 14 + 6 + 10 + 14 + 18 is not how they add up; the fans total 30 + 30 + 48 = 108).
Why the fans lie flat: Each fan adds 4 stitches per row (6, 10, 14, 18). That matches the extra edge length of a wedge about 100 degrees wide at this gauge. Because the three fans together cover a little less than the full upper half of the ring, the unworked sc 7 and sc 11 leave the narrow V-gaps you see between the lobes.
Weave in the ends on the WS. Weave the tails into the dc of their own fan so they don’t show in the open gaps.
Make All Pieces
- Butter Yellow: 8 motifs
Layout grid (1 column x 8 rows), top to bottom:
[Motif 1] <- hanging stem and loop on top
|
[Motif 2]
|
[Motif 3]
|
[Motif 4]
|
[Motif 5]
|
[Motif 6]
|
[Motif 7]
|
[Motif 8] <- bottom, no stem below
Each “|” in the grid is one corded stem: 15 ch with 15 sl sts back along it. Lay all eight motifs RS up with sc 1 at the bottom before you join them.
Joining
Method: Corded-stem join, worked from each lower motif up into the motif above.
Join Motif 8 to Motif 7:
- With RS of Motif 8 facing, join yarn with a sl st in the sp between the 9th and 10th dc of the center fan’s Row 4. This is the exact center of the crown.
- Ch 15.
- With RS of Motif 7 facing, sl st into sc 1 of Motif 7’s ring.
- Turn the chain. Work 1 sl st in the back bump of each of the 15 ch, back down toward Motif 8. (15 sl sts)
- Sl st into the same sp on Motif 8 where you started. Fasten off.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: Each stem has exactly 2 anchor points: the center sp of the lower motif’s crown and sc 1 of the upper motif’s ring. No stitches are added to either motif. The stem’s 15 ch and 15 sl sts belong only to the stem.
Repeat the join for Motif 7 to Motif 6, then Motif 6 to Motif 5, and so on, until Motif 2 is joined to Motif 1. That makes 7 stems in total.
Tension advice: Keep the slip stitches relaxed and even. If you pull them tight, the stem shortens and twists. If they are too loose, the stem stretches under the motifs below. Each finished stem should measure 2.5 in (6.4 cm) when laid flat without stretching.
Size checkpoint: Lay the joined strand flat. It should measure 8 x 3 in (7.6 cm) of motifs plus 7 x 2.5 in (6.4 cm) of stems, which is 24 + 17.5 = 41.5 in (105.4 cm).
Border
A hanging strand has no outer edge to frame, so the fan rows themselves are the finished edge. The “border” for this piece is the top finish: one corded stem plus a hanging loop on Motif 1.
Border gauge: 6 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm), the same as the joining stems.
Top Stem and Loop:
- With RS of Motif 1 facing, join yarn with a sl st in the sp between the 9th and 10th dc of the center fan’s Row 4.
- Stem: Ch 15.
- Loop: Ch 20, then sl st into the 15th ch (the last stem ch) to close the loop. (20-ch loop)
- Work 1 sl st in the back bump of each of the 15 stem ch, down toward Motif 1. (15 sl sts)
- Sl st into the starting sp. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Counts:
- Stem: 15 ch + 15 sl sts
- Loop: 20 ch + 1 joining sl st
Why the math works: The top stem uses the same 15 ch as the joining stems, so it measures 2.5 in (6.4 cm) and the spacing above Motif 1 matches the spacing between motifs. The 20-ch loop hangs about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) and fits a curtain rod or tension rod up to about 1 in (2.5 cm) across.
Together, the stem and loop add 2.5 + 1.5 = 4 in (10.2 cm). That brings the strand from 41.5 in (105.4 cm) to 45.5 in (115.6 cm).
Final Blocking
- Fill a basin with cool water and soak the strand for 10 minutes.
- Press out the water gently between towels. Do not wring.
- Lay the strand straight on a blocking mat with RS up.
- Push a pin through each center ring so the hole stays open and round.
- Spread each fan into a smooth arc. Pin the outer corners of each fan, then pin the center of each crown.
- Check that each motif measures 4 in (10.2 cm) wide x 3 in (7.6 cm) tall.
- Straighten each stem to 2.5 in (6.4 cm) without stretching it. Pin only at the two ends.
- Let it dry completely, usually 12 to 24 hours.
- Unpin the strand and hang it by the loop. The weight of the motifs keeps it straight.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each ring has exactly 16 sc, with sc 1 at the bottom.
- Each side fan ends with 14 dc, and each center fan ends with 18 dc.
- Sc 7 and sc 11 are unworked on every motif, so the V-gaps match.
- All 8 motifs are 4 in (10.2 cm) wide, within 1/4 in (0.6 cm) of each other.
- All 7 joining stems and the top stem have 15 ch and 15 sl sts.
- Every stem is attached at the exact crown center and at sc 1.
- The strand hangs straight and doesn’t spiral.
- Total length is 45.5 in (115.6 cm) including the loop.
- All ends are woven in on the WS, inside the dc.
Troubleshooting
Fans ruffle: You probably added extra stitches. Recount each row against 6, 10, 14, and 18. Also make sure the ch 3 at the start of each row counts as the first dc.
Fans cup or curl inward: Your tension is too tight. Go up a hook size for the fan rows only.
Motif hangs tilted: The stem is not at the center of the crown, or it isn’t attached to sc 1. Undo the stem and re-anchor it at both points.
Strand spirals: The motifs were joined with a mix of RS and WS facing. Rejoin every motif with RS facing.
Stems are uneven lengths: Count the chains again and keep your slip-stitch tension the same on every stem.
Center hole closes up: Your starting chain was too tight. Make it with a larger hook, or pin the hole open during blocking.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap and lay flat to dry. Reshape the fans while the strand is damp. Avoid long, direct sun if your yarn is not colorfast.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is short and easy to check. A 16-sc ring 0.9 in (2.3 cm) across grows into fans of 6, 10, 14, and 18 dc, giving a motif 4 in (10.2 cm) wide x 3 in (7.6 cm) tall.
Eight motifs and seven 15-ch stems of 2.5 in (6.4 cm) make 41.5 in (105.4 cm). The top stem and loop add 4 in (10.2 cm), for a finished length of 45.5 in (115.6 cm).
Check one motif carefully, and the rest of the strand follows from it.
Happy crocheting!