The Hearthside Pines curtain is a pair of airy panels made from small filet-crochet Christmas trees strung on firm chain cords. Light comes through the open squares and the gaps between columns, so the window still glows while the trees pick up the winter sun.
The design uses one warm terracotta cotton throughout. Each tree has three stepped tiers, solid block edges, a scatter of open squares, and a neat square trunk. Alternate columns drop by half a tree, so the motifs interlock in a staggered pattern.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. One tree measures 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide and 7 in (17.8 cm) tall. One finished panel measures 42 in (106.7 cm) wide and 86.5 in (219.7 cm) from the top of the band to the bottom of the longest column, not counting the rod loops.
Construction is simple. You crochet each tree top-down in rows, then add the trunk. Next you link the trees into columns with doubled chain cords. Finally you crochet a top band and attach the columns to it.
Finished Size and Construction
- Panel size: 42 in × 86.5 in (106.7 cm × 219.7 cm), excluding rod loops
- Skill level: Easy-intermediate (filet increases and step-ins)
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Sport (#2) cotton
- Hook: 3.25 mm (US D-3)
- Number of pieces: 57 trees per panel, 114 for the pair, plus 1 top band per panel
- Layout: 6 columns per panel; columns 1, 3, 5 hold 10 trees, columns 2, 4, 6 hold 9 trees
- Piece size: 6.5 in × 7 in (16.5 cm × 17.8 cm)
- Size before border: 42 in × 85.5 in (106.7 cm × 217.2 cm)
- Border depth: 1 in (2.5 cm) top band, plus rod loops
Materials
Choose a smooth, mercerized sport-weight cotton of about 155 m (170 yd) per 50 g. Cotton keeps the squares crisp and holds the stepped edges after blocking. Avoid fuzzy or very stretchy fibers, because long hanging strands will grow.
- Terracotta: 350 g / 1085 m (1187 yd) for the pair. That is 175 g / 543 m (594 yd) per panel.
- One tree uses about 2.3 g / 7 m (7.7 yd).
These quantities include a margin of about 25% for swatching, cords, and the band.
Tools
- 3.25 mm (US D-3) hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
- Tape measure
- Blocking mats, rustproof pins, and a spray bottle
- Curtain rod up to 1 in (2.5 cm) in diameter
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp – space
- tch – turning chain
Unit: Every filet unit is 3 sts wide and is closed by a dc. A row of n units has 3n + 1 sts, counting the first dc or tch.
Block: Work 3 dc over the next unit. Over a block, dc in each of the next 3 sts. Over a space, work 2 dc in the ch-2 sp, then dc in the next dc.
Space: Ch 2, skip the next 2 sts (or the ch-2 sp), dc in the next dc.
Beg-inc (beginning increase block): Ch 5. Dc in the 4th ch from the hook and in the next ch, then dc in the first st of the row. The 3 skipped ch count as the edge dc. This adds 1 unit.
End-inc (end increase block): After the last dc of the row, work 3 times: yo, insert the hook into the base of the last st made, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 1 loop, [yo and pull through 2 loops] twice. This adds 1 unit.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: In solid dc blocks, 6 units (19 sts) = 3 in (7.6 cm) and 6 rows = 3 in (7.6 cm). That makes 1 unit and 1 row each 0.5 in (1.3 cm), so the open squares come out square.
Chain gauge: 8 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm), measured after slip-stitching back along the chain.
Band gauge: 6 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm); 4 sc rows = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Make one complete tree first, then check it against these measurements:
- After Row 3: 2.5 in (6.4 cm) wide, 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall
- After Row 7: 4.5 in (11.4 cm) wide, 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall
- After Row 11: 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide, 5.5 in (14.0 cm) tall
- After the trunk: 7 in (17.8 cm) tall overall
If the tree is too big, go down 0.25 mm in hook size. If it is too small, go up 0.25 mm. If the width is right but the height is off, adjust how far you pull up the dc loop instead of changing hooks.
Tree Motif (make 57 per panel)
The tree is worked top-down. Odd rows are the RS. Turn at the end of every row.
Tier 1
Row 1 (RS): Ch 6. Dc in the 4th ch from the hook and in the next 2 ch. (4 sts: 1 unit, a block)
Row 2: Beg-inc, block, end-inc. (10 sts: 3 units, all blocks)
Row 3: Beg-inc, block, space, block, end-inc. (16 sts: 5 units, B-B-S-B-B)
Tier 2
Row 4 (step-in): Ch 1 (does not count). Sl st in the first 4 sts, then ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 3 blocks and leave the last 3 sts unworked. (10 sts: 3 units, all blocks)
Pulling in by 1 unit on each side makes the notch where Tier 2 starts.
Row 5: Beg-inc, space, block, space, end-inc. (16 sts: 5 units, B-S-B-S-B)
Row 6: Beg-inc, block, space, block, space, block, end-inc. (22 sts: 7 units, B-B-S-B-S-B-B)
Row 7: Beg-inc, 7 blocks, end-inc. (28 sts: 9 units, all blocks)
Tier 3
Row 8 (step-in): Ch 1 (does not count). Sl st in the first 4 sts, then ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 7 blocks and leave the last 3 sts unworked. (22 sts: 7 units, all blocks)
Row 9: Beg-inc, [space, block] 3 times, space, end-inc. (28 sts: 9 units, B-S-B-S-B-S-B-S-B)
Row 10: Beg-inc, block, [space, block] 4 times, end-inc. (34 sts: 11 units, B-B-S-B-S-B-S-B-S-B-B)
Row 11: Beg-inc, 11 blocks, end-inc. (40 sts: 13 units, all blocks)
Fasten off.
Check the counts: each increase row adds 6 sts (3 at each edge), and each step-in row removes 6 sts. That gives 4, 10, 16, 10, 16, 22, 28, 22, 28, 34, 40.
Trunk
With the RS facing, count 16 sts in from the right edge of Row 11. Join the yarn in the 16th st, which is the dc that closes unit 5.
Trunk Row 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in the next 9 sts. (10 sts: 3 units)
Trunk Rows 2–3: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in the next 9 sts. (10 sts each)
Fasten off. The trunk sits over units 6–8 (sts 16–25). Because 40 − 25 + 1 = 16, it is exactly centered.
Weave in all ends along the solid edge blocks so they don’t show inside the open squares.
Make All Pieces
- Terracotta trees: 57 per panel (114 for the pair)
- Columns 1, 3, 5: 10 trees each (30 total)
- Columns 2, 4, 6: 9 trees each (27 total)
- Top band: 1 per panel (2 for the pair)
Block every tree before joining (see Final Blocking), because flat, square trees make it much easier to keep the cords even.
Layout grid for one panel (T = tree; each level is half a repeat, 4.25 in / 10.8 cm):
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6
Level 1 T . T . T .
Level 2 . T . T . T
Level 3 T . T . T .
... continue alternating ...
Level 18 . T . T . T
Level 19 T . T . T .
Odd columns have trees on levels 1–19 (odd), 10 trees. Even columns have trees on levels 2–18 (even), 9 trees.
Joining
All joining is done with doubled cords. Chain the stated number, then sl st in the back bump of each ch back to the start. This makes a firm cord that doesn’t stretch much under the weight of the trees.
Connector (between trees, 1.5 in / 3.8 cm): Join the yarn with a sl st between the 5th and 6th sts of Trunk Row 3 on the upper tree. Ch 12, then sl st into the tip of the next tree between the 2nd and 3rd dc of its Row 1. Sl st back along the 12 ch to the trunk. Fasten off.
Top cord, odd columns (2 in / 5.1 cm): Join at the tip of the first tree. Ch 16 and sl st back along the ch. Leave a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail for attaching.
Top cord, even columns (6.25 in / 15.9 cm): Join at the tip of the first tree. Ch 50 and sl st back along the ch. Leave a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail.
The extra 4.25 in (10.8 cm) on even columns is half of the 8.5 in (21.6 cm) repeat (7 in tree + 1.5 in connector). That is what creates the half-drop.
Tension: Keep the chain loops the same size as your gauge swatch. Tight cords pucker the tree tips, and loose cords sag. Lay each finished cord on the tape measure before moving on.
Size checkpoint:
- Odd columns: 2 + (10 × 7) + (9 × 1.5) = 85.5 in (217.2 cm)
- Even columns: 6.25 + (9 × 7) + (8 × 1.5) = 81.25 in (206.4 cm)
Border: Top Band
The panel has only a top border. The sides and hem are left as open strands, as shown.
Band gauge: 6 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Row 1: Ch 253. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (252 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (252 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. [Sc in the next 14 sts, ch 30, skip 14 sts, sc in the next 14 sts] 6 times. (168 sc + 6 ch-30 loops)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn. [Sc in the next 14 sc, 30 sc in the ch-30 loop, sc in the next 14 sc] 6 times. (348 sc: 58 per segment)
Fasten off.
Attaching columns: Hold the band with Row 1’s foundation edge down. Each 42-st segment holds one column. Using the tails, sl st each top cord into the foundation loops between the center sts of its segment:
- C1 between sts 21/22
- C2 between sts 63/64
- C3 between sts 105/106
- C4 between sts 147/148
- C5 between sts 189/190
- C6 between sts 231/232
Secure each with two extra passes of the tail and weave it in.
Why the math works: The band’s starting count is (6 columns) × (42 sts per column segment) = 252 sc, which is 42 in (106.7 cm) at 6 sc per inch. Each segment is 7 in (17.8 cm): one 6.5 in (16.5 cm) tree plus a 0.5 in (1.3 cm) gap. The edge columns hang 3.5 in (8.9 cm) in from each band edge, so the outer trees sit 0.25 in (0.6 cm) inside the band.
Each rod loop is centered directly above its column, so the weight hangs straight down. The 30 sc in each loop match its 30 ch one-for-one, so the loop lies flat without ruffling. The band is 1 in (2.5 cm) deep, and the loops arch about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) above it.
Final Blocking
- Block each tree before joining. Pin it RS up to 6.5 in × 7 in (16.5 cm × 17.8 cm), with the trunk centered and the tier notches square.
- Mist until damp, and leave until completely dry.
- After joining, hang the panel on the rod.
- Mist the whole panel lightly and let gravity straighten the cords and columns.
- Once it is dry, measure the longest column. It should be 86.5 in (219.7 cm) from the band top. If it is longer, shorten the top cords on all columns by the same amount.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Every tree has 40 sts in Row 11 and a 10-st trunk.
- All edge units are solid blocks, and the open squares are symmetrical.
- The tier notches sit at Rows 4 and 8 on both sides.
- Every connector is 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
- Top cords measure 2 in (5.1 cm) on odd columns and 6.25 in (15.9 cm) on even columns.
- The band has 252 sc in Row 1 and 348 sc in Row 4.
- The columns hang 7 in (17.8 cm) apart, center to center.
- All ends are woven into solid areas.
Troubleshooting
- Tree leans to one side: You skipped the sl st step-in on one edge, or worked into the tch incorrectly. Count to 22 sts at Row 8.
- Open squares look like rectangles: Your row height doesn’t match your unit width. Adjust the dc height, not the hook size.
- Trunk off center: Recount to st 16 from the RS edge before joining.
- Columns twist: Join every connector with the tree RS facing you.
- Band ruffles: Your sc are looser than 6 per inch. Go down a hook size for the band only.
- Panel grows over time: This is normal for cotton. Re-block, then shorten the top cords evenly.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, roll it in a towel, and re-hang it damp to dry. Do not tumble dry, because heat and agitation stretch the cords.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is short and reliable:
- Each unit and each row is 0.5 in (1.3 cm), so a tree is 6.5 in × 7 in (16.5 cm × 17.8 cm).
- Trees plus 1.5 in (3.8 cm) connectors repeat every 8.5 in (21.6 cm). The 4.25 in (10.8 cm) half-drop creates the stagger.
- Six 42-st segments make a 42 in (106.7 cm) band.
- The panel hangs 86.5 in (219.7 cm).
Check your first tree, keep your cords even, and the whole panel will fall into place.
Happy crocheting!