The Poppy Rain Flower Curtain is a light, airy window curtain made from strands of red crochet flowers. A lacy valance with scalloped edges sits across the top, and eleven cords hang from it. Each cord carries small round beads and flat five-petal flowers and ends in a full tassel.
The whole curtain is one bright poppy red. Each flower has a raised center of bobbles, a ring of open spaces around it, and five rounded fan petals with a rope-like crab-stitch edge. It looks cheerful and handmade, and light still comes through.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished curtain is 33.25 in (84.5 cm) wide and 42.75 in (108.6 cm) long, tassels included.
Here is how it’s built. You crochet the flowers, beads, cords and tassels as separate pieces. Then you thread the beads onto the cords, sew the flowers on, and add the tassels. Last, you work the valance in rows and sew each strand to the tip of one scallop.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 33.25 in (84.5 cm) wide × 42.75 in (108.6 cm) long
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: DK / light worsted (#3), cotton
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6) for most pieces; 3.5 mm (E-4) for beads
- Number of pieces: 1 valance, 11 cords, 55 flowers, 66 beads, 11 tassels
- Layout: 11 strands across; each strand has 6 beads, 5 flowers and 1 tassel
- Piece size: flower 3 in (7.6 cm) across; bead 0.75 in (1.9 cm) across; tassel 4 in (10.2 cm) long
- Size before border: 11 strands spanning 30 in (76.2 cm) from the first strand to the last, hanging 40 in (101.6 cm) long
- Border depth: the valance is 2.75 in (7.0 cm) deep
Materials
Use a smooth, mercerized DK cotton, about 125 m per 50 g. Cotton keeps the flowers flat and the tassels hanging straight. Avoid fuzzy yarns, because they hide the bobble center.
- Red: 500 g / 1,250 m (10 balls of 50 g)
Tools:
– 4.0 mm (G-6) and 3.5 mm (E-4) hooks
– Tapestry needle and a large-eye bodkin
– Stitch markers
– A 4.5 in (11.4 cm) piece of cardboard for the tassels
– Sharp scissors and a measuring tape
– Blocking mat and pins
– Curtain rod or café rod
The yarn amount includes a margin of about 60 g for swatching, small mistakes and stuffing the beads.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- MR – magic ring
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
Bobble (bob): Yarn over, insert hook in the stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Repeat from * to * 2 more times in the same stitch (4 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops.
Crab stitch (rev sc): Single crochet worked from left to right (right-handed). It makes a rolled, rope-like edge.
Slip stitch cord: Chain the stated length. Then work 1 sl st into the back bump of each chain.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Swatch gauge (4.0 mm hook): 16 dc and 8 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm).
Cord gauge: 5 slip stitch cord stitches = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Make one complete flower before you do anything else. Check these measurements:
- After Round 2: the bobble center is 1 in (2.5 cm) across.
- After Round 4: the flower is 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across.
- After Round 6: the flower is 3 in (7.6 cm) across, measured from petal tip to the opposite gap.
Check one bead too. It should be 0.75 in (1.9 cm) across once stuffed.
If your flower is too big, go down 0.5 mm in hook size. If it is too small, go up 0.5 mm. A flower that is off by 0.25 in (0.6 cm) still works, but every strand will be longer or shorter by 1.25 in (3.2 cm) as a result. Keep all 55 flowers the same size.
Flower (make 55)
Use the 4.0 mm hook. Work in the round with RS facing; do not turn.
Round 1: Make an MR. Ch 1, then work 10 sc into the ring. Pull the ring closed. Sl st to the first sc. (10 sc)
Round 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 bob in each st around. Sl st to the top of the first bob. (10 bobbles)
The bobbles crowd together and push forward. That forms the raised, nubbly center.
Round 3: Ch 1. Sc in the first bob, ch 4, skip the next bob. Sc in the next bob, ch 4, skip the next bob. Repeat from * to * 3 more times. Sl st to the first sc. (5 sc, 5 ch-4 sps)
These ch-4 loops leave the open spaces around the center.
Round 4: Ch 1. Sc in the next sc, 9 dc in the next ch-4 sp. Repeat from * to * 4 more times. Sl st to the first sc. (5 sc + 45 dc = 50 sts)
Round 5: Ch 1. Sc in the next sc, hdc in the next dc, 2 dc in each of the next 7 dc, hdc in the next dc. Repeat from * to * 4 more times. Sl st to the first sc. (Each petal: 1 hdc + 14 dc + 1 hdc = 16 sts. Total: 5 × 16 + 5 sc = 85 sts)
Round 6: Ch 1. Work 1 crab stitch in each st around. Sl st to the first crab stitch. Fasten off and weave in the ends. (85 crab sts)
The flower should measure 3 in (7.6 cm) across.
Bead (make 66)
Use the 3.5 mm hook so the fabric is tight enough that stuffing can’t show through.
Round 1: MR, 6 sc in the ring. (6)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st. (12)
Round 3: Sc in each st. (12)
Stuff the bead firmly with red yarn scraps.
Round 4: Sc2tog 6 times. (6)
Fasten off. Weave the tail through the 6 front loops, pull the hole closed, and hide the end inside. The bead should measure 0.75 in (1.9 cm).
Cord (make 11)
Use the 4.0 mm hook. Ch 186. Sl st in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook and of each ch across. (185 sl sts)
The cord should measure 37 in (94.0 cm). The top 1 in (2.5 cm) gets tucked behind the valance, which leaves 36 in (91.4 cm) hanging. Leave a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail at the bottom for tying on the tassel.
Tassel (make 11)
Wrap the yarn 25 times around the 4.5 in (11.4 cm) card. Slide a 10 in (25.4 cm) strand under the wraps at the top edge and tie it tightly. Cut through the wraps along the bottom edge.
Wrap a separate strand around the tassel 6 times, 0.5 in (1.3 cm) below the top, and knot it. Trim the tassel to 4 in (10.2 cm) long.
Make All Pieces
Everything is in Red:
- Flowers: 55 (about 4 g each = 220 g)
- Beads: 66 (about 1 g each = 66 g, plus 20 g of scrap stuffing)
- Cords: 11 (about 3 g each = 33 g)
- Tassels: 11 (about 3 g each = 33 g)
- Valance: 1 (about 65 g)
The estimated total is 437 g. The 500 g bought leaves the margin.
Layout grid, read top to bottom. B = bead, F = flower, T = tassel. Each of the 11 columns is one strand.
VALANCE: 11 SCALLOPS, ONE STRAND PER SCALLOP TIP
ROW 1: B B B B B B B B B B B
ROW 2: F F F F F F F F F F F
ROW 3: B B B B B B B B B B B
ROW 4: F F F F F F F F F F F
ROW 5: B B B B B B B B B B B
ROW 6: F F F F F F F F F F F
ROW 7: B B B B B B B B B B B
ROW 8: F F F F F F F F F F F
ROW 9: B B B B B B B B B B B
ROW 10: F F F F F F F F F F F
ROW 11: B B B B B B B B B B B
ROW 12: T T T T T T T T T T T
Joining
Method: thread the beads onto the cord, then sew the flowers on, then tie on the tassel.
Mark the cord. Lay one cord flat without stretching it. Measure from the point 1 in (2.5 cm) below its top end; call that point 0. Put a marker at the top edge of each piece:
- Bead 1: 1.5 in (3.8 cm)
- Flower 1: 3.75 in (9.5 cm)
- Bead 2: 8.25 in (21.0 cm)
- Flower 2: 10.5 in (26.7 cm)
- Bead 3: 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Flower 3: 17.25 in (43.8 cm)
- Bead 4: 21.75 in (55.2 cm)
- Flower 4: 24 in (61.0 cm)
- Bead 5: 28.5 in (72.4 cm)
- Flower 5: 30.75 in (78.1 cm)
- Bead 6: 35.25 in (89.5 cm), ending at 36 in (91.4 cm)
Each flower is followed by 1.5 in (3.8 cm) of bare cord, a 0.75 in (1.9 cm) bead and another 1.5 in (3.8 cm) of bare cord. So the pattern repeats every 6.75 in (17.1 cm).
Beads: Thread the bottom tail of the cord through the bodkin. Push the bodkin straight through the center of a bead, then pull the cord through. Thread all 6 beads this way. Slide each bead up to its marker. Anchor it with 2 small stitches in matching yarn at its top and bottom, so it can’t slide.
Flowers: Turn the flower WS up with one petal pointing straight up. Lay the cord down the center on the back. Whipstitch the cord to the back of the Round 3 sc at the top and bottom of the center. Then whipstitch it to the Round 4 sc between the petals at the top and bottom. That makes 4 anchor points per flower. Line the flower’s top petal tip up with its marker.
Tension: Sew loosely enough that the flower stays flat. Pulling tight cups the petals and shortens the strand. Never stretch the cord while you sew.
Tassel: Tie the tassel’s top strand around the cord directly under Bead 6. Then sew the 10 in (25.4 cm) cord tail down into the tassel’s neck and bury it.
Size checkpoint: Each finished strand should measure 40 in (101.6 cm) from point 0 to the bottom of the tassel. If it doesn’t, adjust the bare-cord gaps evenly. Don’t resize single pieces.
Border: Scalloped Valance
The valance acts as the curtain’s border along the top edge. The side and bottom edges have no border, because they are the free strands.
Border gauge: 16 dc = 4 in (10.2 cm). One 12-stitch scallop repeat = 3 in (7.6 cm).
Use the 4.0 mm hook. Work in rows and turn at the end of each row.
Row 1 (WS): Ch 134. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (133 sc)
Row 2 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in each st across. (133 dc)
Row 3: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1). Skip the next st, dc in the next st. Ch 1, skip the next st, dc in the next st. Repeat from * to * across, working the last dc into the top of the turning ch. (67 dc + 66 ch-1 sps = 133 sts)
Row 4: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in the next ch-1 sp, dc in the next dc. Repeat from * to * across, working the last dc in the 3rd ch of the turning ch. (1 + 66 × 2 = 133 dc)
Row 5: Ch 1. Sc in each st across. (133 sc)
The band now measures 2 in (5.1 cm) deep.
Row 6 (RS), shells: Ch 1, sc in the first st. Skip 5 sts, 11 dc in the next st, skip 5 sts, sc in the next st. Repeat from * to * 10 more times. (11 shells × 11 dc + 12 sc = 133 sts)
Row 7, edging: Ch 1, sc in the first sc. Then work each shell like this: sc in dc 1, 2 sc in dc 2, sc in dc 3, 2 sc in dc 4, sc in dc 5, 2 sc in dc 6, sc in dc 7, 2 sc in dc 8, sc in dc 9, 2 sc in dc 10, sc in dc 11, then sc in the next sc. Repeat from * to * for all 11 shells. (16 sc per shell + 1 sc between shells = 17 per repeat. Total: 1 + 11 × 17 = 188 sc)
Fasten off. The valance measures 33.25 in (84.5 cm) wide and 2.75 in (7.0 cm) deep.
Rod loops: With RS facing, join the yarn to the first loop on the underside of the foundation chain. Ch 1, sc in the same st. Ch 20, skip 11 sts, sc in the next st. Repeat from * to * 10 more times. (12 sc + 11 ch-20 loops; 1 + 11 × 12 = 133 sts used)
Why the math works: 133 = 11 × 12 + 1. Each shell uses exactly 12 stitches, and the extra 1 is the closing sc. Row 6 makes 133 stitches from 133, so the valance doesn’t flare or pull in. The shell centers sit 12 stitches apart. At 4 dc per inch that is exactly 3 in (7.6 cm), which matches the strand spacing. The first and last strands sit 1⅝ in (4.1 cm) in from each side edge.
Attach the strands: Find the center (6th) dc of each shell. Tuck the top 1 in (2.5 cm) of a cord up behind that dc on the WS. Whipstitch the cord to the back of Rows 5 and 6. Point 0 should land exactly at the scallop tip.
Final Blocking
- Pin the valance flat to 33.25 in × 2.75 in (84.5 cm × 7.0 cm), pinning each scallop tip.
- Mist it with water and let it dry completely.
- Mist or steam the flowers lightly while they lie flat on a towel. Press the petals open with your fingers. Don’t press down on the bobbles.
- Steam the tassels and comb them straight.
- Hang the curtain and let it settle overnight. Then check that all strands line up at the bottom.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- [ ] All 55 flowers measure 3 in (7.6 cm), with 85 crab stitches each
- [ ] All 66 beads measure 0.75 in (1.9 cm) and have no stuffing showing
- [ ] The valance has 133 stitches in Row 6 and 188 in Row 7
- [ ] The strands are 3 in (7.6 cm) apart, center to center
- [ ] Each strand is 40 in (101.6 cm) from the scallop tip to the bottom of the tassel
- [ ] The flowers in each row line up straight across all 11 strands
- [ ] All ends are woven in and the beads don’t slide
Troubleshooting
Petals ruffle: Your Round 4 tension is too loose. Go down a hook size, or work 8 dc per petal in Round 4 and 2 dc in each of the next 6 dc in Round 5.
Bobble center is flat: Pull each bobble up to full height before closing it, and keep RS facing.
Strands are uneven: Measure from the scallop tips, not from the top of the valance. Re-space the bare-cord gaps.
Valance edge curls: Block it harder. Rows 1 and 5 may also be too tight, so try working those rows with a larger hook.
Beads slide down: Add a third anchor stitch through the cord.
Care
Hand wash in cool water, roll the curtain in a towel and lay it flat to dry. Hang the strands straight while they’re still slightly damp.
Final Notes
Here is the full measurement chain. Each flower is 3 in (7.6 cm) and each bead is 0.75 in (1.9 cm). One flower, one bead and their two gaps repeat every 6.75 in (17.1 cm). Each strand hangs 36 in (91.4 cm) to the last bead and 40 in (101.6 cm) with the tassel. Eleven strands spaced 3 in (7.6 cm) apart match the 12-stitch scallops of a 133-stitch valance. With the 2.75 in (7.0 cm) valance on top, the curtain is 33.25 in (84.5 cm) wide and 42.75 in (108.6 cm) long.
Happy crocheting!