These curtain panels pair a light, airy filet mesh with raised wheat stalks in warm gold and soft sage green. Light comes through the open squares, and the appliqués add texture and a quiet farmhouse feel.
The mesh is a creamy off-white cotton. Each wheat stalk has a gold ear built from almond-shaped grains and a slim sage stem with two long leaves. Each panel has a two-round single crochet border, eight tab-top loops, and small cream tassels along the bottom edge.
This pattern uses US terms. Each panel measures 31 in x 70 in (78.7 cm x 177.8 cm) without the tabs and tassels. The tabs rise about 2.75 in (7.0 cm) and the tassels hang 2.5 in (6.4 cm), so the full length is about 75.25 in (191.1 cm).
To make each panel, you work one mesh rectangle, add a border, crochet the tabs onto the top edge, and attach tassels. Then you sew 16 wheat appliqués onto each panel in a 4 x 4 grid. Make two panels for a pair.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished panel size: 31 in x 70 in (78.7 cm x 177.8 cm)
- Skill level: Intermediate (easy stitches, long project)
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: DK cotton (CYC 3)
- Hooks: 4.0 mm (G-6) for the mesh, 3.5 mm (E-4) for the appliqués
- Number of pieces: 2 separate panels (not joined to each other); 16 wheat appliqués per panel, each made of 1 ear, 1 stem, and 2 leaves
- Layout: 4 columns x 4 tiers of stalks per panel
- Mesh per panel: 50 squares x 115 rows
- Size before border: 30 in x 69 in (76.2 cm x 175.3 cm)
- Border depth: 0.5 in (1.3 cm), 2 rounds of sc
- Wheat stalk height: 12 in (30.5 cm)
Materials
Choose a smooth mercerized or combed DK cotton. Cotton holds its shape when it hangs, shows the grid clearly, and washes well. Avoid fuzzy yarns, because they blur the mesh.
Yarn for 2 panels (50 g balls of about 115 m each):
- Cream (mesh, border, tabs, tassels): 450 g, about 1035 m
- Gold (ears): 100 g, about 230 m
- Sage green (stems, leaves): 100 g, about 230 m
All quantities include a margin for swatches, tassels, and sewing tails.
Tools:
- 4.0 mm and 3.5 mm hooks
- Tapestry needle
- Plenty of rust-proof pins
- Tape measure
- Stitch markers
- A 2.5 in (6.4 cm) piece of cardboard for the tassels
- A blocking area at least 31 in x 70 in (78.7 cm x 177.8 cm)
- Curtain rod up to 1.25 in (3.2 cm) in diameter
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sk: skip
- sp: space
- st(s): stitch(es)
Grain (G): Work (sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc) in the same st. This makes one almond-shaped wheat grain.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Mesh gauge (4.0 mm hook): 10 squares and 10 rows = 6 in (15.2 cm) after blocking. Each square is 0.6 in (1.5 cm).
Single crochet gauge (4.0 mm hook): 20 sc and 20 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm), which is 5 sc per inch.
Test first. Ch 35 and work 10 rows of the mesh pattern below. Wet block the swatch and let it dry, then measure. Also make one complete wheat stalk.
- If your swatch is bigger than 6 in (15.2 cm), go down 0.5 mm.
- If it is smaller, go up 0.5 mm.
Small errors add up fast. Being off by 0.05 in per square changes the panel by 2.5 in (6.4 cm) in width and almost 6 in (15.2 cm) in length.
Panel checkpoints:
- After Row 10: 6 in (15.2 cm) tall and 30 in (76.2 cm) wide
- After Row 60: 36 in (91.4 cm) tall
- After Row 115: 69 in (175.3 cm) tall
- After the border: 31 in x 70 in (78.7 cm x 177.8 cm)
Mesh Panel (make 2)
Use cream and the 4.0 mm hook.
Foundation: Ch 155. This is 3 x 50 squares + 5.
Row 1: Dc in the 8th ch from the hook. *Ch 2, sk 2 ch, dc in the next ch; repeat from * across. (51 dc, counting the skipped chains as the first dc; 50 ch-2 sps)
Row 2: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), turn. Dc in the next dc. *Ch 2, dc in the next dc; repeat from * across. Work the last dc in the 3rd ch of the turning chain. (51 dc; 50 ch-2 sps)
Rows 3–115: Repeat Row 2. Every row has 51 dc and 50 ch-2 sps.
Count your spaces every 10 rows. Do not fasten off; go straight into the border.
Border
Border gauge: 5 sc per inch.
Why the math works: One mesh square is 0.6 in wide, and 3 sc at 5 sc per inch also measure 0.6 in. So every square gets exactly 3 sc. Along the top and bottom, that is 2 sc in the ch-2 sp plus 1 sc in the dc. Along the sides, it is 3 sc around each row-end post. Because the edge is neither stretched nor gathered, the border lies flat.
Round 1: Ch 1; do not turn. Work around the panel as follows, then join with a sl st to the first sc. (1000 sc)
- Corner: 3 sc in the last dc of Row 115.
- First long side: 3 sc around each row-end post (345 sc).
- Corner: 3 sc in the base of the corner dc.
- Bottom edge: Along the foundation, 2 sc in each ch-2 sp and 1 sc in the base of each of the 49 inner dc (149 sc).
- Corner: 3 sc in the base of the corner dc.
- Second long side: 3 sc around each row-end post (345 sc).
- Corner: 3 sc in the first dc of Row 115.
- Top edge: 2 sc in each ch-2 sp and 1 sc in each inner dc (149 sc).
Check the total: 345 + 345 + 149 + 149 + 12 corner sc = 1000. Counted between corner center sc, including both of them, each short side has 153 sts and each long side has 349 sts.
Round 2: Ch 1. Sc in each sc around, with 3 sc in each corner center sc. Join and fasten off. (1008 sc. Counting both corner center sts, each short side has 155 sts and each long side has 351 sts.)
Tabs (8 per panel)
Number the 155 sts across the top edge, starting with the right corner center sc as st 1. Each tab is 7 sts wide. There are 4 sts at each end and 13 sts between tabs: 4 + 56 + 91 + 4 = 155. Start tabs on sts 5, 25, 45, 65, 85, 105, 125, and 145.
Row 1: Join cream in the starting st. Ch 1, sc in the same st and in the next 6 sts. (7 sc)
Rows 2–30: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc. (7 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. Each tab measures 1.4 in x 6 in (3.6 cm x 15.2 cm), and the gaps between tabs are 2.6 in (6.6 cm).
Fold each tab to the back of the panel. Sew Row 30 along the base of the border, 0.5 in (1.3 cm) below the top edge.
Tassels (16 per panel)
Wrap cream yarn 20 times around the card. Tie the loops at the top and cut them at the bottom. Wrap the neck 0.5 in (1.3 cm) below the top, then trim.
Number the 155 sts along the bottom edge, starting with the left corner center sc. Attach a tassel at st 3 and at every 10th st after that: 3, 13, 23, and so on through 153.
Wheat Appliqués
Use the 3.5 mm hook so the pieces come out firm and stand up from the mesh.
Ear (gold)
Ch 13. Number the chains from the hook, so ch 1 is next to the hook and ch 13 is the first chain you made.
Side 1: Sl st in ch 2. [G in the next ch, sl st in the next ch] 5 times, working chs 3–12.
Base: 3 sc in ch 13.
Side 2: Working in the free loops, [G in the next ch, sl st in the next ch] 5 times, working chs 12–3. Sl st in ch 2. These grains alternate with the ones on Side 1.
Tip: G in ch 1. Join with a sl st to the first sl st. (11 grains; 66 grain sts + 12 sl sts + 3 sc = 81 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. The ear is 4 in x 1.75 in (10.2 cm x 4.4 cm).
Stem (sage)
Ch 41. Sl st in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook and of each ch across. (40 sl sts) The stem should measure 9 in (22.9 cm).
Leaf (sage, 2 per stalk)
Ch 21.
Side 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc in the next 3 ch, dc in the next 12 ch, hdc in the next 3 ch, sc in the last ch. (20 sts)
Tip: Ch 1.
Side 2: Working in the free loops, repeat the Side 1 sequence. (20 sts) Sl st to the first sc. (40 sts + ch 1)
Each leaf is 5 in x 0.75 in (12.7 cm x 1.9 cm) and has a pointed tip.
Stalk checkpoint: Lay the ear over the top of the stem so they overlap by 1 in (2.5 cm). The whole stalk should measure 12 in (30.5 cm).
Make All Pieces
Per panel: 1 bordered panel with 8 tabs and 16 tassels, 16 ears, 16 stems, and 32 leaves.
For the pair: 32 ears, 32 stems, 64 leaves, and 32 tassels.
Placement grid (front view): Rows are counted from the bottom of the mesh. Columns are the dc columns, numbered 1–51 from the left.
Tier 4, rows 90–109: W W W W
Tier 3, rows 62–81: W W W W
Tier 2, rows 34–53: W W W W
Tier 1, rows 6–25: W W W W
Centered on dc col: 8 20 32 44
- Columns: 12 squares apart, which is 7.2 in (18.3 cm). The outer columns sit 4.2 in (10.7 cm) in from each side.
- Stalks: Each one covers 20 rows.
- Space between tiers: 8 open rows, or 4.8 in (12.2 cm).
Joining: Attaching the Appliqués
Method: Whipstitch each piece in place with matching yarn. Every stitch goes through the edge of the appliqué and around a dc post or ch-2 bar of the mesh. Never anchor a stitch in open space.
- Stem: Pin the stem along its dc column so it starts at the bottom of the tier’s first row and runs up 15 rows. Make one stitch per mesh row, about every 0.6 in (1.5 cm).
- Leaves: Pin the leaves so their bases meet the stem 3 in (7.6 cm) up from its bottom end. Angle them outward, with each tip 1.2 in (3.0 cm) from the stem. Sew around the outline every 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
- Ear: Pin the ear so it covers the top 1 in (2.5 cm) of the stem and its tip reaches the top of the tier’s last row. Tack it down between the grains so they stay raised.
Tension: Keep the stitches snug but not tight. If the squares around a stalk pucker or turn into diamonds, loosen up.
Checkpoint: The panel should still measure 31 in x 70 in (78.7 cm x 177.8 cm).
Final Blocking
- Soak the panel in cool water for 15 minutes.
- Press out the water without wringing, then roll the panel in towels.
- Lay it flat on mats or a sheet over carpet.
- Pin the corners to 31 in x 70 in (78.7 cm x 177.8 cm).
- Pin along the edges every 4 in (10.2 cm), keeping them straight.
- Use a ruler to straighten the mesh columns.
- Shape the grains and leaves with your fingers.
- Let it dry completely before you unpin it.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Every row has 51 dc and 50 spaces.
- The panel is 30 in x 69 in (76.2 cm x 175.3 cm) before the border.
- Border Round 2 has 1008 sc, and the corners lie flat.
- There are 8 evenly spaced tabs, each 7 sc wide.
- There are 16 tassels, each 2.5 in (6.4 cm) long.
- There are 16 upright stalks in straight columns and tiers.
- All ends are woven in.
- Both panels are the same length.
Troubleshooting
- Panel narrows: You may be missing the last dc in the turning chain. Count your spaces.
- Squares look tall: Your chains are too tight compared with your dc. Loosen the chains.
- Border ruffles: Use a hook 0.5 mm smaller for the border.
- Border pulls in: Use a hook 0.5 mm larger.
- Ear looks flat: Pull the sl sts snug between the grains.
- Panels don’t match: Block the shorter panel a little longer.
Care
Hand wash, or machine wash on gentle in cool water inside a mesh bag. Reshape and dry flat; do not hang the panels while they are wet.
Final Notes
All the sizes come from the gauge:
- One square is 0.6 in (1.5 cm).
- 50 squares by 115 rows makes 30 in x 69 in (76.2 cm x 175.3 cm).
- Three sc per square keep the border flat and bring the panel to 31 in x 70 in (78.7 cm x 177.8 cm).
- Twelve-inch (30.5 cm) stalks fill a 4 x 4 grid.
Swatch, count, and block carefully, and both panels will match.
Happy crocheting!