This garland is made of vertical strands that hang in a window. Each strand alternates olive-green openwork leaves with small cream flowers, joined by short green chain links. When light comes through the glass, the lacy veins in each leaf show clearly and the solid flowers stand out between them.
The design uses only two colors: olive green for the leaves, links, and header, and cream for the flowers. The leaves are airy, with tall stitches that radiate from a center spine. The flowers are firm, with six rounded petals around a defined center ring. All instructions use US crochet terms.
The finished garland measures 18.2 in (46.2 cm) wide and 36.4 in (92.5 cm) tall. It has five strands, each 36 in (91.4 cm) long, hanging from a narrow header cord.
You will crochet 30 leaves, 30 flowers, and one header. Next, you join each strand with green chain links. Finally, you work the header and attach the top of each strand to it as you go.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 18.2 in wide x 36.4 in tall (46.2 cm x 92.5 cm)
- Skill level: Easy-Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: DK (#3) cotton
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4) for leaves, links, and header; 3.25 mm (D-3) for flowers
- Number of pieces: 61 crocheted pieces (30 leaves, 30 flowers, 1 header), plus 60 chain links worked during assembly
- Layout: 5 strands, each with 6 leaves and 6 flowers, alternating, starting with a leaf at the top
- Piece size: leaf 3 in long x 2 in wide (7.6 cm x 5.1 cm); flower 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across; link 0.75 in (1.9 cm)
- Size before border: 5 strands of 36 in (91.4 cm), spaced 3 in (7.6 cm) apart center to center. They span 12 in (30.5 cm) center to center, or 14 in (35.6 cm) from outer leaf edge to outer leaf edge.
- Border (header) depth: 0.4 in (1.0 cm)
Each strand is built from 6 identical units. One unit is link + leaf + link + flower: 0.75 + 3 + 0.75 + 1.5 = 6 in (15.2 cm). Six units give 36 in (91.4 cm).
Materials
Choose a smooth mercerized or matte cotton in DK weight. Cotton holds the pointed leaf tips and crisp petals after blocking, and it does not fade quickly in window light. Avoid fuzzy or very splitty yarns, because they blur the lace.
- Olive green: 70 g (about 168 m) for 30 leaves, 60 links, and the header
- Cream: 40 g (about 96 m) for 30 flowers
These quantities include a margin of roughly 20% for gauge differences and tails.
Tools:
- 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook
- 3.25 mm (D-3) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Rust-proof pins and a blocking mat
- Spray bottle
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Stitch markers (at least 5)
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet (yarn over twice)
- sk: skip
- sp: space
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rep: repeat
- MR: magic ring
Special stitch – Petal: work (hdc, 3 dc, hdc) all in the same stitch. The middle dc of these three is the petal tip, which is used as the joining point.
Gauge and Checkpoints
There is no flat-fabric gauge for the motifs. Instead, size is controlled by the finished measurements. Make one leaf and one flower before anything else, then block and measure them.
Leaf checkpoints (3.5 mm hook):
- After Round 1: 2.6 in long x 1.6 in wide (6.6 cm x 4.1 cm)
- After Round 2: 3 in long x 2 in wide (7.6 cm x 5.1 cm)
Flower checkpoints (3.25 mm hook):
- After Round 1: 0.6 in (1.5 cm) across
- After Round 2: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across, measured from petal tip to opposite petal tip
Link checkpoint: 0.75 in (1.9 cm) from motif edge to motif edge.
Header gauge (3.5 mm hook): 5 sc and 5 rows = 1 in (2.5 cm). Test this with a 10-sc row, which should measure 2 in (5.1 cm).
If your pieces are too big by more than 0.25 in (0.6 cm), go down one hook size. If they are too small, go up one hook size. Re-test the motif until it matches. A small error repeated across 12 motifs and 12 links changes a strand by several inches.
Leaf (make 30 in olive green)
Use the 3.5 mm hook. The leaf is worked around both sides of a foundation chain. The tall stitches in the middle create the oval shape and the open vein spaces. The shorter stitches at each end form the points.
Ch 16.
Round 1 (Side A): Sc in 2nd ch from hook (ch 1 of the spine). Ch 1, sk next ch, hdc in next ch. Ch 1, sk next ch, dc in next ch. Ch 2, sk next ch, tr in next ch. Ch 2, sk next ch, tr in next ch. Ch 2, sk next ch, dc in next ch. Ch 1, sk next ch, hdc in next ch. Ch 1, sk next ch. In last ch (ch 15), work (sc, ch 3, sc). This ch-3 is the leaf tip.
Round 1 (Side B): Rotate the work to crochet along the opposite side of the foundation chain. Ch 1, sk next ch, hdc in next ch. Ch 1, sk next ch, dc in next ch. Ch 2, sk next ch, tr in next ch. Ch 2, sk next ch, tr in next ch. Ch 2, sk next ch, dc in next ch. Ch 1, sk next ch, hdc in next ch. Ch 1, sk next ch, sc in the same ch as the first sc. Ch 3 to form the base point, then sl st to the first sc.
Count: 16 sts (8 per side), 14 ch-sps (7 per side, totaling 10 chains per side), and 2 ch-3 points.
Round 2 (edging): This is a conversion round. Ch 1, sc in the same st. Working up Side A, sc in each st and work sc into each ch-sp: 1 sc in each ch-1 sp and 2 sc in each ch-2 sp. Sc in the tip sc, then work (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in the tip ch-3 sp. Sc in the next sc. Work down Side B the same way, ending with sc in the last sc. Work (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in the base ch-3 sp, then sl st to the first sc.
Count: (16 sts x 1 sc) + (20 sc in ch-sps) + (8 sc at the two points) = 44 sc, plus 2 ch-2 point spaces. Each long side has 18 sc.
Fasten off, leaving a 4 in (10.2 cm) tail. Weave in the ends along the spine so they stay hidden in the vein line.
Flower (make 30 in cream)
Use the 3.25 mm hook. The smaller hook gives the flowers their tighter, more structured fabric.
Round 1: Make a MR. Ch 1, then work 12 sc in the ring. Pull the ring closed and sl st to the first sc. (12 sc)
Round 2: *Work a Petal in the next sc, then sl st in the next sc. Rep from * 5 more times. The last sl st lands in the joining st of Round 1.
Count: 6 petals of 5 sts each, for 30 petal sts plus 6 sl sts.
The 12-sc ring remains visible as a firm, defined center. The sl sts between petals pull each petal into a rounded shape. Fasten off and weave in the ends on the back.
Joining points: Petal 1 and Petal 4 sit directly opposite each other. Use the middle dc of each of these petals for the links.
Make All Pieces
- Olive green: 30 leaves, plus 1 header (worked later)
- Cream: 30 flowers
- Olive green links: 60, worked during joining (12 per strand)
Block all leaves and flowers before joining. Pin each leaf to 3 x 2 in (7.6 x 5.1 cm), with both points stretched sharp. Pin each flower to 1.5 in (3.8 cm), with the petals evenly spaced. Mist the pieces and let them dry completely.
Layout grid (top to bottom, Strands 1–5 left to right):
ROW 1: LEAF LEAF LEAF LEAF LEAF
ROW 2: FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER
ROW 3: LEAF LEAF LEAF LEAF LEAF
ROW 4: FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER
ROW 5: LEAF LEAF LEAF LEAF LEAF
ROW 6: FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER
ROW 7: LEAF LEAF LEAF LEAF LEAF
ROW 8: FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER
ROW 9: LEAF LEAF LEAF LEAF LEAF
ROW 10: FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER
ROW 11: LEAF LEAF LEAF LEAF LEAF
ROW 12: FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER
Each strand needs 6 leaves and 6 flowers.
Joining
Join each strand separately with olive green and the 3.5 mm hook. Every link is a ch-4 between two sl sts. Work each link and fasten it off before starting the next one.
Orientation: Hang each leaf with its base point at the top and its tip point at the bottom. Hang each flower with Petal 1 at the top and Petal 4 at the bottom.
Top link: Join the yarn with a sl st in the base ch-2 sp of Leaf 1. Ch 4 and fasten off, leaving an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail. The last ch of this link is attached to the header later. Place a marker in it.
Leaf to flower: Join the yarn with a sl st in the tip ch-2 sp of the leaf. Ch 4, then sl st in the middle dc of Petal 1 of the next flower. Fasten off.
Flower to leaf: Join the yarn with a sl st in the middle dc of Petal 4. Ch 4, then sl st in the base ch-2 sp of the next leaf. Fasten off.
Continue down the strand until Flower 6 is attached. Each strand has 1 top link and 11 links between motifs, for 12 links total.
Tension: Keep the chains relaxed but even. Tight links pucker the ch-2 points, and loose links make the strands uneven. Check each link against the 0.75 in (1.9 cm) target.
Size checkpoint: Lay the strand flat. It should measure 36 in (91.4 cm) from the top of the top link to the bottom petal of Flower 6, with a tolerance of 0.5 in (1.3 cm). All five strands should be within 0.5 in (1.3 cm) of each other. Adjust a link by redoing it with ch 3 or ch 5 if needed.
Weave each link tail into the nearest motif, following existing stitches.
Border (Header Cord)
The border on this garland is a two-row sc header. The strands hang from it. The header length is set by the header gauge of 5 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm), not by the motif stitch counts. This is because each strand attaches at a single stitch rather than along a full motif side.
Row 1: With olive green and the 3.5 mm hook, ch 92. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (91 sc)
Row 2 (joining row): Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. When you reach sts 16, 31, 46, 61, and 76, insert the hook into the st and also through the marked last chain of a strand’s top link. Complete the sc through both. (91 sc, with 5 strands attached)
Hanging loops: At the end of Row 2, ch 10 and sl st in the same last st. Fasten off. Join the yarn in the first st of Row 2, ch 10, and sl st in the same st. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Why the math works:
- 15 sc margin + 1 attachment st + 4 x (14 sc gap + 1 attachment st) + 15 sc margin
- 15 + 1 + 60 + 15 = 91 sc
Attachment stitches are 15 sts apart, so at 5 sc per inch the strands are spaced 3 in (7.6 cm) apart. The 15-sc margins give 3 in (7.6 cm) at each end, which leaves room for the 1 in (2.5 cm) half-width of each outer leaf. The total length is 91 / 5 = 18.2 in (46.2 cm).
The header is 2 rows at 5 rows per inch, so it measures 0.4 in (1.0 cm) deep.
Optional: to add a strand, extend the header by 15 sc and make one more 36 in (91.4 cm) strand.
Final Blocking
- Lay the whole garland flat on a large surface, with the header straight across the top.
- Pin the header to 18.2 in (46.2 cm) long.
- Straighten each strand so the leaves and flowers line up vertically, without twisting.
- Check that every leaf is still 3 x 2 in (7.6 x 5.1 cm) and every flower is 1.5 in (3.8 cm). Re-pin any points or petals that have relaxed.
- Mist lightly, focusing on the links and the attachment points.
- Let the garland dry completely, at least 12 hours.
- Hang it and let it settle for a day. The weight of the motifs straightens the links naturally.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- 30 leaves, each 3 x 2 in (7.6 x 5.1 cm), with 44 sc and 2 sharp ch-2 points
- 30 flowers, each 1.5 in (3.8 cm), with 6 even petals and a visible center ring
- 60 links, each 0.75 in (1.9 cm)
- 5 strands, each 36 in (91.4 cm), within 0.5 in (1.3 cm) of each other
- Header has 91 sc and measures 18.2 in (46.2 cm) x 0.4 in (1.0 cm)
- Strands attached at sts 16, 31, 46, 61, and 76
- All ends woven in and hidden from both sides, since a window garland is seen from inside and outside
Troubleshooting
Leaf cups or curls: Round 2 is too tight. Rework it with a looser hand, or block it firmly flat.
Leaf ruffles: You may have added extra sc in the ch-sps. Recount to 18 sc per side.
Leaf points are rounded: The ch-2 at each point may be missing, or the points were not pinned during blocking.
Flower cups: Round 1 is too tight, or the magic ring was not fully closed before the join. Check that you have exactly 12 sc.
Petals are uneven: Make sure each Petal is worked into a single sc, with exactly one sl st between petals.
Strands twist: Work every link from the front of the motifs. Then re-block the strand while it hangs.
Header is too short or long: Check your 5 sc per inch gauge and change hooks if needed. Keep the attachment stitch numbers the same.
Strands hang at different lengths: Remeasure the links and redo any that are off by more than 0.125 in (0.3 cm).
Care
Hand wash in cool water with a mild soap, press out the water gently in a towel, and dry flat, pinning the leaf points if needed. Avoid hanging the garland while wet.
Final Notes
The measurement chain keeps this garland even. Each leaf blocks to 3 in (7.6 cm) and each flower to 1.5 in (3.8 cm). Each link adds 0.75 in (1.9 cm), so every unit is 6 in (15.2 cm). Six units make a 36 in (91.4 cm) strand. Five strands spaced every 15 sc on a 91-sc header make an 18.2 in (46.2 cm) wide garland. Check each stage before moving on, and the finished piece will hang straight and balanced in your window.
Happy crocheting!