This curtain brings a garden to your window. A cream scalloped header hangs from rod tabs, and slim cream cords hang below it, linked by soft chain swags. Openwork lanterns with lilac petal caps hang along the cords, and leafy green vines wind between them.
The colors are warm cream, soft lilac, and sage green. It has a light cottage style that lets daylight through. This pattern uses US crochet terms.
The finished curtain measures 40 in (101.6 cm) wide and 58.5 in (148.6 cm) long, plus rod tabs.
First you crochet the header flat and make the small pieces separately. Then you chain the strands straight off the header and join the swags, lanterns, and vines in place. A top border with tabs finishes the piece.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 40 in (101.6 cm) wide x 58.5 in (148.6 cm) long, plus tabs
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Sport (#2) cotton
- Hook: 3.25 mm (US D/3)
- Number of pieces: 1 header, 21 strands, 20 lanterns, 20 caps, 11 vines, 132 leaves
- Layout: 21 strands spaced 2 in (5.1 cm) apart, 3 swag tiers
- Piece sizes: lantern 3 in (7.6 cm) wide x 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall; cap 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across; leaf 1.6 in (4.1 cm) long
- Size before border: 40 in (101.6 cm) x 58 in (147.3 cm)
- Border depth: 0.5 in (1.3 cm), plus 11 tabs
Materials
Use a smooth mercerized sport-weight cotton. It holds the lantern shape, resists stretching on long strands, and takes stiffener well.
- Cream (Color A): 300 g, about 930 m (1,017 yd)
- Sage green (Color B): 100 g, about 310 m (339 yd)
- Lilac (Color C): 50 g, about 155 m (170 yd)
These amounts include a margin of about 15-20 percent.
Tools: 3.25 mm (US D/3) hook, tapestry needle, stitch markers, measuring tape, fabric stiffener, rust-proof pins, and a wooden 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
- tr: treble crochet
- sc2tog: single crochet 2 together
- sp: space
- sk: skip
- st(s): stitch(es)
Special stitches:
- dc-V: (dc, ch 1, dc) in the same st.
- tr-V: (tr, ch 1, tr) in the same st.
- Cluster: (yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops) 3 times in the same place, yarn over, pull through all 4 loops.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 20 dc and 10 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm), or 5 sts per inch. Each dc row is 0.4 in (1.0 cm) tall. Chains also run 5 ch per inch.
Test one piece first. Make one lantern and one cap before anything else:
- Lantern Rnd 8: 3 in (7.6 cm) across, 9.6 in (24.4 cm) around.
- Finished lantern: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall, not counting the cap and bottom bobble.
Header checkpoints: Row 1 measures 40.2 in (102.1 cm), which you can treat as 40 in. Rows 1-5 measure 2 in (5.1 cm) tall.
If too big, go down 0.25 mm. If too small, go up 0.25 mm. The cap and spacing are sized to the lantern, so fix your gauge there first.
Pattern: Scalloped Header
Work flat in rows with Color A.
Foundation: Ch 203.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped chs count as first dc) and in each ch across. Turn. (201 dc)
Row 2 (mesh): Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), sk next st, dc in next st; ch 1, sk next st, dc in next st across. Turn. (101 dc + 100 ch-1 sps = 201 sts)
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next ch-1 sp, dc in next dc across. Turn. (201 dc)
Rows 4-5: Repeat Rows 2-3. (201 dc)
Checkpoint: 40 in (101.6 cm) x 2 in (5.1 cm).
Row 6 (spoke base): Ch 1, sc in first st; ch 2, sk 3, dc in next st, (ch 2, sk 2, dc in next st) 4 times, ch 2, sk 3, sc in next st 10 times. Turn. (11 sc, 50 dc, 60 ch-2 sps)
In each 20-st repeat, the dc land on sts 5, 8, 11, 14, and 17, so the fan is centered on st 11.
Row 7 (rays): Ch 1, sc in first sc; ch 2, sk next ch-2 sp, dc-V in next dc, (ch 2, tr-V in next dc) 3 times, ch 2, dc-V in next dc, ch 2, sk next ch-2 sp, sc in next sc 10 times. Turn. (11 sc, 20 dc-V, 30 tr-V, 60 ch-2 sps)
Row 8 (scallop edge): Ch 1, sc in first sc; sk next ch-2 sp, 5 dc in next dc-V sp, sc in next ch-2 sp, 5 tr in next tr-V sp, sc in next ch-2 sp, 7 tr in next tr-V sp, sc in next ch-2 sp, 5 tr in next tr-V sp, sc in next ch-2 sp, 5 dc in next dc-V sp, sk next ch-2 sp, sc in next sc 10 times. Fasten off. (10 x [27 shell sts + 4 sc] + 11 junction sc = 321 sts)
The taller shells in the middle make each scallop dip lowest at its center. Checkpoint: 4 in (10.2 cm) deep at scallop centers and 2.75 in (7.0 cm) deep at each junction sc.
Mark the 4th tr of each 7-tr shell (10 markers) and each junction sc (11 markers). These are your 21 strand points.
Pattern: Lantern (make 20)
Work in joined rounds with Color A, from the bottom up. Join each round with sl st to the first st.
Rnd 1: Magic ring, 6 sc. (6)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st. (12)
Rnd 3: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), dc in next st, ch 1 11 times. (12 dc + 12 ch-1 sps = 24 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), dc in next dc, ch 2 11 times. (12 dc + 12 ch-2 sps = 36 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 6 (counts as dc + ch 3), dc in next dc, ch 3 11 times. (12 dc + 12 ch-3 sps = 48 sts)
Rnd 6 (band): Ch 1, sc in each dc and 3 sc in each ch-3 sp. (12 + 36 = 48 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 6 (counts as dc + ch 3), sk 3; dc in next sc, ch 3, sk 3 11 times. (12 dc + 12 ch-3 sps = 48 sts)
Rnd 8 (band): Repeat Rnd 6. (48 sc)
Rnd 9: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), sk 3; dc in next sc, ch 2, sk 3 11 times. (12 dc + 12 ch-2 sps = 36 sts)
Rnd 10: Ch 1, sc in each dc and in each ch-2 sp. (12 + 12 = 24 sc)
Rnd 11: Sc2tog 12 times. (12)
Hanging loop: Ch 12, sk 5 sts, sl st in next st. Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail.
In Rnds 7 and 9, each dc lands right above a rib. That gives 12 vertical ribs, and with the two sc bands they form the lattice. Rnds 3-5 widen and Rnds 9-11 narrow, which creates the onion shape.
Bottom bobble: Join Color A at the bottom ring. Ch 2, cluster in the ring, ch 1, sl st in ring. Fasten off.
Pattern: Lilac Cap (make 20)
Work in joined rounds with Color C.
Rnd 1: Magic ring, 8 sc, leaving a small hole in the center. (8)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st. (16)
Rnd 3: Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st 8 times. (24)
Rnd 4 (petals): Sc in next st, sk 1, 5 dc in next st, sk 1 6 times. (6 shells + 6 sc = 36 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. Rnd 3 measures 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across, which matches lantern Rnd 10. The petals span 2.5 in (6.4 cm).
Pattern: Leaf (make 132)
With Color B, ch 9. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 3 chs, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch. Along the opposite side: sc, hdc, dc in next 3 chs, hdc, sc. Ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook (tip picot), sl st in first sc. (17 sts + picot)
Fasten off, leaving an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail. Each leaf measures 1.6 in (4.1 cm) x 0.8 in (2.0 cm).
Pattern: Vine (make 11)
With Color B, ch 250. Sl st in the back bump of each ch back to the start. Fasten off. (50 in / 127 cm)
Make All Pieces
- Header: 1 (Color A)
- Center strands: 10 (Color A, chained in place)
- Junction strands: 11 (Color A, chained in place)
- Lanterns: 20 (Color A)
- Caps: 20 (Color C)
- Vines: 11 (Color B)
- Leaves: 132 (Color B)
Push each lantern’s hanging loop up through a cap’s center hole. Sew cap Rnd 3 to lantern Rnd 10 with the lilac tail and let the petals flare.
Sew 12 leaves to each vine on alternating sides, every 4 in (10.2 cm), starting 2 in (5.1 cm) from the top.
Layout grid (strands 1-21, left to right):
Strand: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Adds: V A V B V A V B V A V B V A V B V A V B V
V = a vine on a junction strand. A = a center strand with lanterns at 12 in (30.5 cm) and 32 in (81.3 cm). B = a center strand with lanterns at 22 in (55.9 cm) and 42 in (106.7 cm). Measure every drop from the foundation edge (the top of Row 1).
Joining
Strands. Join Color A with sl st at a marked point. For a center strand, ch 270 for 54 in (137.2 cm). For a junction strand, ch 276 for 55.25 in (140.3 cm). Make a cluster in the last ch, then sl st in the back bump of each ch back up to the header. Fasten off.
Junction points sit 1.25 in (3.2 cm) higher than scallop centers, so every strand ends 58 in (147.3 cm) below the foundation edge. Keep your chain tension even and measure every 10 in (25.4 cm).
Swags. Lay the curtain flat with the strands exactly 2 in (5.1 cm) apart. Work tiers at 7 in (17.8 cm), 18 in (45.7 cm), and 29 in (73.7 cm) below the foundation edge. Join Color A through strand 1; ch 14, sl st through the next strand at the same height 20 times. Fasten off. (20 swags per tier, 60 total)
Each ch-14 is 2.8 in (7.1 cm) long and spans a 2 in (5.1 cm) gap, so it hangs in a soft V about 1 in (2.5 cm) deep. Checkpoint: each tier spans 40 in (101.6 cm) from strand 1 to strand 21 without pulling the strands inward.
Lanterns. Sew each hanging loop to its strand at the height shown in the grid, tacking 3 times. With the cap and bobble, each lantern hangs about 4.5 in (11.4 cm). That keeps the A lanterns clear of the 18 in tier and the B lanterns clear of the 29 in tier.
Vines. Sew the top of each vine to a junction sc. Twist it loosely around its strand, about one turn every 6 in (15.2 cm), and tack it at each tier. The vine ends 52.75 in (134.0 cm) below the foundation edge.
Border: Top Edge and Rod Tabs
Border gauge: 20 sc and 16 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm), so 2 rows = 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
Row 1: Join Color A at one end of the foundation edge. Ch 1, sc in each free loop of the foundation ch. Turn. (201 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st. (201 sc) Keep going down the short end: 1 sc in each border row-end (2 sc), then 2 sc around each dc row-end of Rows 1-5 (10 sc). Fasten off. Repeat on the other short end. (12 sc per short end)
Tabs (make 11): Each tab is worked over 5 sts of Row 2: sts 1-5, 19-23, 39-43, 59-63, 79-83, 99-103, 119-123, 139-143, 159-163, 179-183, and 197-201. Join Color A and sc in each of the 5 sts. Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc 15 times. (16 rows, 4 in / 10.2 cm) Fold the tab to the back and sew the last row to border Row 1.
Why the math works: 201 = (10 x 20) + 1. Both border rows keep all 201 sts, so the border matches the header exactly. The interior tabs are centered on sts 21, 41, 61, and so on, right above the junction strands, which spreads the weight evenly. The border adds 0.5 in (1.3 cm): 58 + 0.5 = 58.5 in (148.6 cm).
Final Blocking
- Wash in cool water and roll in a towel. Do not wring.
- Pin the header 40 in (101.6 cm) wide, with the scallop points 4 in (10.2 cm) below the foundation edge.
- Spray the lanterns with stiffener and stuff them with plastic wrap so they hold a 3 in (7.6 cm) round shape.
- Lay the strands straight, 2 in (5.1 cm) apart, and pin each swag into an even V.
- Flatten the cap petals and leaves.
- Let everything dry fully, then remove the plastic wrap.
- Hang the curtain for 24 hours so the strands settle.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Header: 40 in (101.6 cm) wide, with 10 matching scallops.
- All 21 strands end 58.5 in (148.6 cm) below the top edge.
- 3 level swag tiers with 20 swags each.
- 20 firm lanterns with centered caps.
- 11 vines with 12 leaves each.
- 11 evenly spaced tabs that slide freely.
- All tails woven in.
Troubleshooting
Scallops ruffle: Redo Row 8 with 4 tr in the outer tr-V sps.
Strands stretch after hanging: Let them settle for a few days. Then unravel some slip stitches and the chains below them, and remake the bobble.
Lanterns collapse: Add more stiffener and dry them again over plastic wrap.
Caps tilt: Sew all 6 petal bases to lantern Rnd 10.
Swags pull strands together: Add 1-2 ch to each swag.
Care
Hand-wash in cool water with mild soap and dry flat. Re-stiffen the lanterns after washing.
Final Notes
Your gauge of 5 sts per inch sets every measurement. At that gauge, 201 sts make a 40 in (101.6 cm) header with 10 scallops and a strand point every 2 in (5.1 cm). Strands of 54 in and 55.25 in reach 58 in (147.3 cm), and the border brings the curtain to 58.5 in (148.6 cm).
Happy crocheting!