This pattern makes a tall, airy curtain panel in classic filet crochet. Light comes through the open mesh squares, and solid blocks form three columns of stacked diamonds. Each diamond has a one-block outline with a small solid diamond in the middle.
The panel uses one color, a warm ivory cream. The style is vintage and calm, the kind of lace that suits a sunny room with stone walls and brass hardware. Solid bands run up both long edges, and a deeper solid band across the top gives the ring clips something firm to grip. A narrow single crochet border frames the whole panel. All instructions use US crochet terms.
The finished panel measures 28 in wide x 84 in long (71.1 cm x 213.4 cm). The photo shows a pair of identical panels. Each panel is a single piece, so this pattern covers one panel. Make it twice for a pair.
Construction is simple. You chain a foundation and work 205 filet rows from bottom to top with no seams. Then you add 4 rounds of single crochet border around all four edges. There is no joining.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 28 in x 84 in (71.1 cm x 213.4 cm) per panel
- Skill level: Easy intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Sport / fine (#2) mercerized cotton
- Hook: 3.25 mm (US D/3)
- Number of pieces: 1 per panel (make 2 for a pair)
- Layout: single flat panel, worked bottom to top in rows
- Panel body: 65 mesh wide x 205 rows tall
- Size before border: 26 in x 82 in (66.0 cm x 208.3 cm)
- Border depth: 1 in (2.5 cm) on every side, 4 rounds
Materials
Choose a smooth, mercerized cotton in sport weight, about 170 m (186 yd) per 50 g ball. Mercerized cotton gives crisp mesh squares and holds its shape when hung. It also stands up to washing and sunlight better than acrylic. Avoid fuzzy or very stretchy yarns, because a long curtain will grow under its own weight.
- Ivory cream: 400 g, about 1,360 m (1,487 yd) per panel. For a pair: 800 g, about 2,720 m (2,975 yd).
These quantities include a margin of roughly 15% for your gauge swatch and small differences in tension. Buy all balls from the same dye lot.
Tools:
– 3.25 mm (US D/3) crochet hook
– Tapestry needle
– Stitch markers (at least 4)
– Measuring tape
– Rust-proof pins and a large blocking surface
– Spray bottle
– 8 curtain ring clips per panel, for hanging
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sk – skip
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sl st – slip stitch
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
Special stitches:
- Open mesh (O): ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in next st. One open mesh = 3 sts.
- Block (B): dc in each of next 3 sts. One block = 3 sts. When you work a block over an open mesh from the row below, work 2 dc into the ch-2 space and 1 dc in the next dc.
- Turning ch: the ch 3 at the start of each row counts as the first dc. Every row is 1 starting dc + 65 mesh x 3 sts = 196 sts.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 5 mesh and 5 rows = 2 in (5.1 cm) in filet mesh. One mesh is 0.4 in (1.0 cm) wide, and one row is 0.4 in (1.0 cm) tall. In single crochet, 15 sc = 2 in (5.1 cm) and 4 rounds = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Make a test swatch first. Ch 48. Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across (46 sts). Rows 2–15: ch 3, 1 B, 13 O, 1 B, turn. You now have 15 mesh x 15 rows. Wet the swatch, pin it flat, and let it dry. It should measure 6 in x 6 in (15.2 cm x 15.2 cm).
- Too big: go down 0.25 mm in hook size.
- Too small: go up 0.25 mm in hook size.
- Squares taller than wide: chain the ch-2 a little looser, or pull up less yarn on the first loop of each dc.
Checkpoints on the panel:
- After Row 2: width 26 in (66.0 cm), height 0.8 in (2.0 cm).
- After Row 20 (first diamond done): height 8 in (20.3 cm).
- After Row 110: height 44 in (111.8 cm).
- After Row 205: 26 in x 82 in (66.0 cm x 208.3 cm).
- Each diamond: 17 mesh x 17 rows = 6.8 in x 6.8 in (17.3 cm x 17.3 cm).
Always measure on a flat table, never while the work hangs from your lap.
Panel Layout
Each row is 65 mesh, always in this order:
2 B (side band) | 2 O | Diamond A, 17 mesh | 3 O | Diamond B, 17 mesh | 3 O | Diamond C, 17 mesh | 2 O | 2 B (side band)
Check: 2 + 2 + 17 + 3 + 17 + 3 + 17 + 2 + 2 = 65 mesh, and 1 + 65 x 3 = 196 sts.
The layout is symmetrical, so it reads the same on RS and WS rows. You never need to reverse a row.
Diamond Rows
Each diamond row is 17 mesh wide. The diamond is a one-block outline with a solid diamond in its center.
- D1: 8 O, 1 B, 8 O (1 block)
- D2: 7 O, 1 B, 1 O, 1 B, 7 O (2 blocks)
- D3: 6 O, 1 B, 3 O, 1 B, 6 O (2 blocks)
- D4: 5 O, 1 B, 5 O, 1 B, 5 O (2 blocks)
- D5: 4 O, 1 B, 7 O, 1 B, 4 O (2 blocks)
- D6: 3 O, 1 B, 4 O, 1 B, 4 O, 1 B, 3 O (3 blocks)
- D7: 2 O, 1 B, 4 O, 3 B, 4 O, 1 B, 2 O (5 blocks)
- D8: 1 O, 1 B, 4 O, 5 B, 4 O, 1 B, 1 O (7 blocks)
- D9: 1 B, 4 O, 7 B, 4 O, 1 B (9 blocks)
- D10: as D8
- D11: as D7
- D12: as D6
- D13: as D5
- D14: as D4
- D15: as D3
- D16: as D2
- D17: as D1
Each row adds up to 17 mesh. One full diamond uses 57 blocks.
Main Pattern
Foundation: Ch 198.
Row 1 (solid, RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook (the skipped 3 ch count as the first dc) and in each ch across, turn. (196 sts = 65 B)
Row 2 (solid): Ch 3, dc in each st across, working the last dc in the top of the turning ch, turn. (196 sts = 65 B)
Row 3 (open row): Ch 3, 2 B, 61 O, 2 B, turn. (196 sts: 4 B, 61 O)
Rows 4–20 (Diamond 1): For each row: ch 3, 2 B, 2 O, [diamond row], 3 O, [diamond row], 3 O, [diamond row], 2 O, 2 B, turn. Use D1 for Row 4, D2 for Row 5, and so on, ending with D17 on Row 20. All three diamonds in a row use the same D-row.
Every row stays at 196 sts. The number of blocks in a row is 4 + 3 x (blocks in that D-row):
– Row 4 (D1): 7 B, 58 O
– Row 12 (D9): 31 B, 34 O
– Row 20 (D17): 7 B, 58 O
Row 21 (open row): Work as Row 3. (4 B, 61 O)
Rows 22–200: Repeat the 18-row unit (17 diamond rows + 1 open row) 10 more times, ending after the last diamond row. Diamond n starts on Row 4 + 18 x (n − 1), so Diamond 11 runs from Row 184 to Row 200. That gives 11 stacked diamonds in each of the 3 columns.
Put a marker in the work after every 5 diamonds so you don’t have to recount rows.
Row 201 (open row): Work as Row 3. (4 B, 61 O)
Rows 202–205 (top band): Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn. (196 sts = 65 B in each row)
Row count check: 2 solid + 1 open + 197 diamond-section rows (11 x 17 + 10) + 1 open + 4 solid = 205 rows.
Do not fasten off. Lay the panel flat and check that it measures 26 in x 82 in (66.0 cm x 208.3 cm).
Border
Border gauge: 15 sc = 2 in (5.1 cm); 4 rounds = 1 in (2.5 cm).
The side counts below are the stitches between two corner-center sc. They do not include the corner-center sc. Each corner has 1 corner-center sc (the middle sc of a 3-sc group), and the 4 corners are added separately as “+ 4.”
Round 1: Ch 1, turn. Work 3 sc in the first st of Row 205 (corner). Sc in each of the next 194 sts. Work 3 sc in the last st (corner). Turn the panel and work 3 sc in each row end down the side (205 rows x 3 = 615 sc). Work 3 sc in the first foundation ch (corner). Sc in the base of each of the next 194 ch. Work 3 sc in the last foundation ch (corner). Work 3 sc in each row end up the second side (615 sc). Join with sl st to the first sc.
– Top and bottom: 1 + 194 + 1 = 196 sc each
– Sides: 1 + 615 + 1 = 617 sc each
– Total: 196 + 196 + 617 + 617 + 4 = 1,630 sc
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, working 3 sc in each corner-center sc. Join.
– Top and bottom: 198 sc each; sides: 619 sc each
– Total: 1,638 sc
Round 3: Repeat Round 2.
– Top and bottom: 200 sc each; sides: 621 sc each
– Total: 1,646 sc
Round 4: Repeat Round 2. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
– Top and bottom: 202 sc each; sides: 623 sc each
– Total: 1,654 sc
Why the math works: Across the width, the body has 7.5 sts per inch (196 sts over 26 in). Along the sides, you work 3 sc per row end, and 3 sc per 0.4 in row is also 7.5 sts per inch. Because all four sides match the border gauge, the edges don’t flare or pull in. The 3-sc corners add 2 sts to each side per round, which is enough to keep the corners flat. Four rounds at 0.25 in (0.6 cm) each add 1 in (2.5 cm) per side. That makes the panel 26 in + 2 in = 28 in (71.1 cm) wide and 82 in + 2 in = 84 in (213.4 cm) long.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends along solid blocks or the border, never across open mesh where they would show.
- Soak the panel in cool water with a little mild soap for 15 minutes.
- Press out the water. Roll the panel in towels and press again. Do not wring.
- Lay it flat on a clean floor covered with towels or blocking mats.
- Pin the four corners first, to a 28 in x 84 in (71.1 cm x 213.4 cm) rectangle.
- Pin along each edge about every 4 in (10.2 cm), keeping the side bands straight.
- Ease each mesh into a square. Run your fingers up each diamond column so the outlines line up.
- For crisper lace, mist the panel lightly with spray starch.
- Let it dry completely before you unpin it, usually about 24 hours.
- Clip 8 ring clips evenly along the top border, about 4 in (10.2 cm) apart, gripping the solid top band.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Every row has 196 sts and 65 mesh.
- The side bands are 2 blocks wide all the way up both edges.
- There are 3 diamond columns, with 11 diamonds in each column.
- Each diamond has a complete outline and a solid center diamond, with no stray blocks.
- Bottom band: 2 solid rows. Top band: 4 solid rows.
- The body measures 26 in x 82 in (66.0 cm x 208.3 cm) before the border.
- Border Round 4 totals 1,654 sc.
- The finished panel is 28 in x 84 in (71.1 cm x 213.4 cm) and lies flat with square corners.
- For a pair, both panels are within 0.5 in (1.3 cm) of each other in length.
Troubleshooting
The panel slants. You are probably missing the last dc into the turning ch. Count to 196 sts at the end of a few rows.
A diamond looks lopsided. You skipped or repeated a D-row. Compare the blocks in each diamond row with the list, then rip back to the mistake.
The mesh looks rectangular. Your dc height doesn’t match your ch-2 width. Adjust your chain tension or hook size as described in the gauge section.
The border edges ruffle. There are too many sc along the sides. Keep exactly 3 sc per row end.
The edges pull in or cup. There are too few sc, or the border is too tight. Use a hook 0.25 mm larger for the border only.
Woven-in ends show through the mesh. Re-route them through the solid side bands or diamond outlines.
The panel is too long after hanging. Cotton can stretch a little. Wash it, then block it slightly shorter. On a second panel, you can also work fewer top-band rows before the border so the two panels match.
Care
Hand wash in cool water, or machine wash on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag, then reshape and dry flat. Don’t hang the panel while it’s wet, because the weight of the water will stretch it.
Final Notes
The whole panel depends on one chain of measurements. A 0.4 in (1.0 cm) mesh gives 65 mesh = 26 in (66.0 cm) wide and 205 rows = 82 in (208.3 cm) long. Four border rounds add 1 in (2.5 cm) on each side, for a finished size of 28 in x 84 in (71.1 cm x 213.4 cm). Check your swatch, count to 196 every few rows, and measure at each checkpoint. Your diamonds will then stack straight from the floor to the rod.
Happy crocheting!