These curtain panels pair an airy cream diamond mesh with bold appliqué irises. Each panel holds three flowers in deep plum and soft lavender, with mustard-gold beards, braided green stems, and tall sword leaves rising from the bottom edge. A plum scalloped trim finishes the hem, and a solid cream header with tabs slides straight onto a curtain rod.
The style is cottage-garden lace: light passes through the mesh, while the flowers stand out in raised, ridged texture. The petals are sewn only at their bases, so the ruffled fall tips curl forward for a true three-dimensional look.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. Each finished panel measures 22 in (55.9 cm) wide by 55.75 in (141.6 cm) long, not counting the tabs. Folded tabs add about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) above the header.
Construction is simple. You crochet the mesh from the bottom up, add a solid header and tabs at the top, then work the plum scalloped border along the foundation edge. The iris pieces, stems, and leaves are made separately and sewn onto the blocked mesh.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size (each panel): 22 in (55.9 cm) wide x 55.75 in (141.6 cm) long, plus tabs
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 5 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 2 separate panels (not joined to each other); each panel is one mesh piece with 30 sewn-on appliqué pieces
- Layout: 3 irises per panel, staggered up the panel, stems running to the hem
- Mesh size: 22 loops wide x 81 rows = 22 in (55.9 cm) x 54 in (137.2 cm)
- Size before border: 22 in (55.9 cm) x 55 in (139.7 cm), including header
- Border depth: 0.75 in (1.9 cm)
Materials
Choose a smooth, mercerized or combed worsted cotton of about 175 m per 100 g. Cotton holds the mesh shape and resists sagging better than acrylic in a hanging panel.
Amounts below are for both panels:
- Cream (mesh, header, tabs): 650 g / 1,138 m
- Dark plum (falls, border): 150 g / 263 m
- Lavender (standards): 60 g / 105 m
- Mustard gold (beards, centers): 30 g / 53 m
- Sage green (stems, leaves): 150 g / 263 m
Quantities include a margin of roughly 10 percent for gauge swatches and sewing tails.
Tools: 5 mm (H-8) hook, tapestry needle, rust-proof pins, blocking mats or a large towel-covered surface, spray bottle, measuring tape, locking stitch markers, scissors.
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)
- BLO: back loop only
- rep: repeat
Special stitch – picot: ch 3, sl st into the same st just worked.
Gauge and Checkpoints
- Mesh: 4 loops and 6 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm), blocked and lightly stretched
- Sc and hdc: 16 sts and 16 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm)
Test first. Ch 26 and work 9 mesh rows following the main pattern; you will have 6 loops. Pin it flat with light tension. It should measure 6 in (15.2 cm) square.
Checkpoints:
- After 12 mesh rows: 8 in (20.3 cm) tall, 22 in (55.9 cm) wide
- After 81 mesh rows: 54 in (137.2 cm) tall
- After the header: 55 in (139.7 cm) tall
- After the border: 55.75 in (141.6 cm) tall
If your swatch is too big, go down 0.5 mm. If it is too small, go up 0.5 mm. Length can also be adjusted by adding or removing mesh rows in multiples of 3 (each 3 rows = 2 in / 5.1 cm). Recalculate stem lengths if you change rows.
Panel Mesh (make 2, cream)
Ch 90.
Row 1: Sc in 6th ch from hook (the 5 skipped ch form the first loop), *ch 5, sk 3 ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across. (22 loops, 22 sc)
Row 2: Ch 5, turn, sc in first ch-5 sp, *ch 5, sc in next ch-5 sp; rep from * across, working the last sc in the turning loop. (22 loops, 22 sc)
Rows 3–81: Rep Row 2. (22 loops, 22 sc in every row)
The loops stack in a brick pattern that opens into diamonds when blocked. The mesh measures 22 in (55.9 cm) x 54 in (137.2 cm).
Header and Tabs (cream)
Header Row 1 (conversion): Ch 1, turn, 1 sc in each of 22 sc + 3 sc in each of 22 ch-5 sps = 22 + 66 = 88 sc.
Header Rows 2–4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (88 sc)
The header is 1 in (2.5 cm) deep and 22 in (55.9 cm) wide, since 88 sc ÷ 4 sts per in = 22 in.
Tabs: The 88 sts divide into 6 tabs of 8 sts with 5 gaps of 8 sts: 6 x 8 + 5 x 8 = 48 + 40 = 88.
Tab Rows 1–14: Join cream in the first st, ch 1, sc in the same st and next 7 sts. Turn and work 8 sc for 13 more rows. (8 sc, 14 rows, 3.5 in / 8.9 cm) Fasten off.
Sk 8 sts and work the next tab the same way. Repeat until 6 tabs are made; the last tab ends in the 88th st.
Fold each tab to the back and whipstitch its last row to the back of Header Row 1.
Scalloped Border (plum)
Border gauge: 4 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm); each scallop spans 4 sts = 1 in (2.5 cm), matching 1 mesh loop.
Turn the panel upside down to work across the free loops of the foundation chain.
Border Row 1 (trim): Join plum around the first 5 ch (corner loop). Ch 1, work 4 sc around those 5 ch, then 1 sc in each of the remaining 85 ch = 85 + 4 = 89 sc.
Border Row 2 (scallops): Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, *sk 1 st, 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next st; rep from * across. (22 scallops, 23 sc)
Why the math works: each scallop uses 4 sts, plus 1 starting sc: 22 x 4 + 1 = 89. Twenty-two scallops at 1 in (2.5 cm) each equal 22 in (55.9 cm), one scallop under every mesh loop. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Iris Appliqués
Each panel needs 3 irises. Every iris has 2 lavender standards, 2 plum falls, 2 mustard beards, and 1 mustard center.
Standard (lavender, upright petal)
Ch 15.
Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next 2 ch, dc in next 8 ch, hdc in next 2 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working along the other side, hdc in next 2 ch, dc in next 8 ch, hdc in next 2 ch, sc in last ch, sl st to first sc. (13 + 3 + 13 = 29 sts)
Rnd 2 (BLO, ridged): Ch 1, sc in first 4 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in each of next 3 sts, dc in next 5 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sc in next 4 sts, sl st to first sc. (4 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 4 = 32 sts)
Fasten off. The standard is about 4 in (10.2 cm) tall and 2 in (5.1 cm) wide, narrow at the sc base and rounded at the tip.
Fall (dark plum, drooping petal)
Ch 13.
Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 9 ch, 6 dc in last ch. Working along the other side, dc in next 9 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch, sl st to first sc. (11 + 6 + 11 = 28 sts)
Rnd 2 (BLO, ridged): Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 7 sts, 2 dc in each of next 6 sts, dc in next 7 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts, sl st to first sc. (2 + 2 + 7 + 12 + 7 + 2 + 2 = 34 sts)
Rnd 3 (ruffle): Ch 1, sc in first 11 sts, 2 hdc in each of next 12 sts, sc in next 11 sts, sl st to first sc. (11 + 24 + 11 = 46 sts)
Fasten off. The fall is about 3.75 in (9.5 cm) long and 3 in (7.6 cm) wide, with a wavy tip.
Beard (mustard, make 2 per iris)
Ch 12. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, picot, *sl st in next ch, picot; rep from * across. (11 picots) The strip is about 2.75 in (7.0 cm) long.
Center (mustard)
Rnd 1: Magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in ring, sl st to first sc. (6 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, *sc in next st, picot; rep from * around, sl st to first sc. (6 sc, 6 picots)
Stems (sage green)
Ch the number listed, then hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across. Row 2: ch 1, turn, sl st in BLO of each st across for a braided ridge.
- Top iris: ch 170 (168 hdc), 42 in (106.7 cm)
- Middle iris: ch 122 (120 hdc), 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Lower iris: ch 90 (88 hdc), 22 in (55.9 cm)
Leaves (sage green)
Long leaf (make 3 per panel): Ch 61. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 4 ch, hdc in next 10 ch, dc in next 30 ch, hdc in next 10 ch, sc in next 4 ch (59 sts). In the last ch work (sc, ch 2, sc) for the tip. Working along the other side, sc in next 4 ch, hdc in next 10 ch, dc in next 30 ch, hdc in next 10 ch, sc in next 4 ch, sl st in last ch (59 sts). Fasten off. About 15 in (38.1 cm) long.
Short leaf (make 3 per panel): Ch 41. Work as the long leaf with sl st 1, sc 4, hdc 6, dc 18, hdc 6, sc 4 (39 sts) on each side and the same tip. About 10 in (25.4 cm) long.
The foundation chain forms a center vein, and both ends taper to points.
Make All Pieces
Per panel: 6 standards, 6 falls, 6 beards, 3 centers, 3 stems, 6 leaves = 30 pieces. For both panels, double everything:
- Lavender: 12 standards
- Dark plum: 12 falls
- Mustard: 12 beards, 6 centers
- Sage green: 6 stems, 6 long leaves, 6 short leaves
Layout (per panel, rows counted from the bottom of the mesh, loops counted left to right):
Row 66 (44 in / 111.8 cm) ...........IRIS (loop 13)....
Row 48 (32 in / 81.3 cm) ....IRIS (loop 8)............
Row 36 (24 in / 61.0 cm) ............IRIS (loop 14)...
Row 3 (2 in / 5.1 cm) stems end; leaves fan out
across loops 5-18
Mirror the layout on the second panel so the flowers face inward toward each other.
Joining (Sewing Appliqués to the Mesh)
Block the bare mesh first (see Final Blocking) and leave it pinned to 22 in (55.9 cm) x 55.75 in (141.6 cm). Sewing onto a pinned panel keeps the mesh from puckering.
Method: Whipstitch with a matching yarn tail and tapestry needle. Catch the appliqué’s edge st, then the nearest mesh sc or ch-5 loop behind it.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: Tack wherever a mesh sc lies under the piece. A stem crosses one mesh row at a time, so tack once per row: 64 tacks for the top stem (rows 3–66), 46 for the middle (rows 3–48), and 34 for the lower (rows 3–36). Leaves are tacked along the vein every second row.
Assembly per iris: Sew the stem first, bottom end at row 3. Place 2 standards upright, bases touching at the stem top, and sew only their lower half so the tips stand free. Sew the 2 falls angled outward and down, stitching only the base 1.5 in (3.8 cm). Lay a beard from the center onto each fall and tack both ends. Sew the center over the meeting point. Place 2 leaves (1 long, 1 short) beside each stem base, tips leaning outward.
Tension: Each tack should sit snug but never pull a mesh loop out of its diamond.
Size checkpoint: Unpin and remeasure. The panel should still be 22 in (55.9 cm) wide at every flower row. If it narrows, loosen nearby tacks.
Final Blocking
- Soak the finished panel in cool water for 15 minutes.
- Press out water gently in a towel; do not wring.
- Lay flat and pin to 22 in (55.9 cm) x 55.75 in (141.6 cm).
- Pin every scallop tip along the hem.
- Open each mesh loop into an even diamond with your fingers.
- Shape the fall tips so they curl forward, and smooth the leaves straight.
- Let dry completely, about 24 hours, before unpinning.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Every mesh row has 22 loops.
- Header Row 1 has 88 sc; 6 tabs of 8 sts are evenly spaced.
- Border Row 1 has 89 sc; Border Row 2 has 22 scallops.
- Both panels measure 22 in (55.9 cm) x 55.75 in (141.6 cm).
- Irises sit at rows 66, 48, and 36, mirrored on the second panel.
- Fall and standard tips are free and shaped.
- All ends are woven in on the back.
Troubleshooting
- Mesh slants to one side: Make sure every row ends with an sc in the turning loop.
- Panel too short: Add rows in multiples of 3 and lengthen each affected stem by 8 hdc per 3 rows.
- Scallops ruffle: Recount Border Row 1; it must be exactly 89 sc.
- Petals cup instead of lying flat: Check that Rnd 2 was worked in BLO, then block with light steam.
- Mesh puckers behind stems: Tacks are too tight; resew with lighter tension.
- Tabs twist: Sew each folded tab straight, matching st to st on Header Row 1.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap and dry flat. Reshape the petals while damp, and never hang the panels wet, which stretches the mesh.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is straightforward. Each 1 in (2.5 cm) mesh loop gives 22 loops for 22 in (55.9 cm). Each loop converts to 4 header sc for 88 sc, and each loop sits over 1 scallop of the 22-scallop hem. Rows build 54 in (137.2 cm) of mesh, 1 in (2.5 cm) of header, and 0.75 in (1.9 cm) of border for 55.75 in (141.6 cm) total. Check those numbers at each stage, and the irises will sit exactly where they belong.
Happy crocheting!