Ornate crocheted wall hanging in pink and brown with repeating motifs of bows and fan shapes.

Prima Ballerina Curtain Panel Crochet Pattern

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This curtain panel is a single, light-filtering piece. It has a lacy brown openwork band across the top, finished with a soft pink scalloped trim. Six vertical strands hang beneath the band. Each strand carries a brown ballerina with a pink fan-shaped tutu, small brown knotted beads, pink bows, and a brown teardrop finial at the bottom.

The palette is warm chocolate brown and blush pink. The look is romantic and nursery-friendly. Backlit at a window, the open lacework and the tutus’ radiating spokes really show.

All instructions use US crochet terms. The finished panel measures 24.2 in (61.5 cm) wide and 23 in (58.4 cm) long, hung from seven metal rings on a wooden rod.

Construction is simple. You crochet the lace band in rows, then make the strand components separately. Each strand is a slip-stitch cord with its components stitched on. The cords are sewn behind the band, and the pink scalloped trim is worked last, locking each cord in place.

Finished Size and Construction

  • Finished size: 24.2 in (61.5 cm) wide x 23 in (58.4 cm) long
  • Skill level: Intermediate
  • Terminology: US
  • Yarn weight: DK / light worsted (3) cotton
  • Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4)
  • Number of pieces: 55 components: 1 band, 6 ballerinas, 24 beads, 12 bows, 6 finials, 6 cords
  • Layout: 1 band across the top, with 6 strands spaced 4 in (10.2 cm) apart and 2 in (5.1 cm) in from each side
  • Piece sizes: ballerina 6.5 in (16.5 cm) tall x 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide; bead 0.5 in (1.3 cm); bow 1.6 x 0.8 in (4.1 x 2.0 cm); finial 1.5 x 1 in (3.8 x 2.5 cm)
  • Band before border: 24.2 x 3 in (61.5 x 7.6 cm)
  • Border depth: 1 in (2.5 cm) scalloped trim
  • Strand length: 20 in (50.8 cm) from the band’s bottom edge to the finial tip

Materials

Choose a smooth mercerized cotton. It holds lace shape, blocks crisply, and resists stretching on long hanging cords. Avoid fuzzy or very stretchy yarns.

  • Brown: 150 g, about 315 m (band, figures, legs, cords, beads, finials)
  • Pink: 75 g, about 158 m (scallop trim, tutus, bows)

Quantities include a margin of roughly 30% for gauge swatches and testing.

Tools:

  • 3.5 mm (E-4) hook
  • Tapestry needle
  • 7 metal curtain rings, 1.5 in (3.8 cm) diameter
  • Small amount of fiberfill
  • Stitch markers
  • Blocking mat and rustproof pins
  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors
  • Spray starch (optional)
  • Curtain rod (not included in yarn totals)

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • ch – chain
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • sc – single crochet
  • hdc – half double crochet
  • dc – double crochet
  • sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
  • inc – 2 sc in same st
  • MR – magic ring
  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • sp – space
  • tch – turning chain
  • RS / WS – right side / wrong side
  • rep – repeat

Special stitches:

  • Lace shell: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same st or sp.
  • Wide shell: (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in the same sp.
  • Scallop: 9 dc in one st.
  • Tutu shell: 5 dc in one st.

Gauge and Checkpoints

Gauge: 20 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), or 5 sc per inch. Slip-stitch cords measure 5 sts per inch.

Test one ballerina before committing to all six. Its parts should match these checkpoints:

  • Head: 1.1 in (2.8 cm) across
  • Bodice: 1 in (2.5 cm) wide x 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall
  • Tutu: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide
  • Legs: 3.4 in (8.6 cm) long
  • Finished figure: 6.5 in (16.5 cm) tall

Band checkpoints:

  • After Row 1: 24.2 in (61.5 cm) wide
  • After Row 6, blocked: 3 in (7.6 cm) tall
  • After the trim: 4 in (10.2 cm) total depth

If pieces are too big, go down a hook size. If they are too small, go up a hook size. The tutu must stay under 4 in (10.2 cm) wide, or neighboring dancers will overlap.

Crocheted window curtain with brown lacy border and hanging pink ballet dancers with bow accents, backlit by a window.

Lace Band

With brown, ch 122.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. [121 sc]

Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), sk next sc, dc in next sc, ch 1, sk next sc, dc in next sc; rep across. Turn. [61 dc, 60 ch-1 sps]

Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Ch 5, sk next 2 dc, sc in next dc, ch 3, sk next dc, lace shell in next dc, ch 3, sk next dc, sc in next dc, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc. Work from * 6 times total; the last dc goes in the 3rd ch of the tch. Turn. [7 dc, 6 shells, 12 sc, 12 ch-5 loops, 12 ch-3 sps]

Row 4: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Ch 6, lace shell in ch-2 sp of next shell, ch 6, dc in next dc. Work 6 times; the last dc goes in top of tch. Turn. [7 dc, 6 shells, 12 ch-6 loops]

Row 5: Ch 3. Ch 4, sc in next ch-6 loop, ch 3, wide shell in ch-2 sp of next shell, ch 3, sc in next ch-6 loop, ch 4, dc in next dc. Work 6 times. Turn. [7 dc, 6 wide shells, 12 sc, 12 ch-4 sps, 12 ch-3 sps]

Row 6: Ch 1, sc in first dc. 3 sc in ch-4 sp, sc in sc, 2 sc in ch-3 sp, sc in each of next 3 dc, sc in shell ch-3 sp, sc in each of next 3 dc, 2 sc in ch-3 sp, sc in sc, 3 sc in ch-4 sp, sc in next dc. Work 6 times. Fasten off. [121 sc = 1 + (20 x 6)]

Each repeat is exactly 20 sts, so the band returns to its Row 1 count. Its shell column sits centered at the repeat’s 10th stitch, which lands on sts 11, 31, 51, 71, 91, and 111.

Rings: With RS facing, join brown in foundation-edge st 1. Hold a ring against the edge, work 12 sc around the ring, then sl st into the same st. Fasten off. Repeat at sts 21, 41, 61, 81, 101, and 121, for 7 rings spaced 4 in (10.2 cm) apart.

Ballerina (Make 6)

Head (brown):

  • Rnd 1: MR, ch 2, 12 hdc in ring, sl st to join. [12]
  • Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st, sl st to join. Fasten off. [24]

Bodice (brown): Ch 6.

  • Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch. [5]
  • Rows 2–7: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. [5]

Fasten off. Row 1 is the shoulders, and Row 7 is the waist.

Arms: Join brown at the right corner of the foundation edge. Ch 30 and sl st into the left corner. Turn, work sc in each ch [30 sc], and sl st into the right corner. Fasten off. Sew the head’s lower edge to the center 3 sts of the foundation edge, inside the arm loop.

Tutu (pink): With RS facing, join pink in the first sc of Row 7.

  • Row 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st, 2 dc in next sc, 3 dc in center sc, 2 dc in next sc, 2 dc in last sc. Turn. [11 dc]
  • Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next dc; rep across. Turn. [11 dc, 10 ch-1 sps]
  • Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first dc. Sk ch-1 sp, tutu shell in next dc, sk ch-1 sp, sc in next dc. Work 5 times; the last sc goes in the 3rd ch of the tch. Fasten off. [5 shells + 6 sc = 31 sts]
  • Row 4 (brown outline): Join brown and sl st loosely in each st across. Fasten off. [31 sl sts]

Legs (brown, make 2): Ch 18. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 5 ch, hdc in next 11 ch. [17 sts] Leave a tail. Sew the flat ends side by side to the WS of the waist, behind the tutu. Angle the toes together and tack the tips.

Beads, Bows, Finials, and Cords

Bead (brown, make 24):

  • Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
  • Rnd 2: Inc in each st. [12]
  • Rnd 3: Sc around. [12]
  • Rnd 4: Sc2tog 6 times. [6]

Stuff with scraps, close, and leave a tail.

Bow (pink, make 12): Ch 9.

  • Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch. [8]
  • Rows 2–4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. [8]

Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. Pinch the center and wrap it 6 times. For the tails, insert the hook at center back, pull up a loop, ch 5, and fasten off. Repeat once more for a second tail.

Finial (brown, make 6): Start at the point.

  • Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. [4]
  • Rnd 2: (Sc, inc) twice. [6]
  • Rnd 3: (Sc, inc) 3 times. [9]
  • Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) 3 times. [12]
  • Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) 3 times. [15]
  • Rnds 6–7: Sc around. [15]
  • Rnd 8: (3 sc, sc2tog) 3 times. [12]
  • Rnd 9: (Sc, sc2tog) 4 times. Stuff. [8]
  • Rnd 10: Sc2tog 4 times. [4]

Close the top, which is the rounded end.

Cord (brown, make 6): Ch 93, then sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch back. [92 sl sts] This gives about 18.5 in (47.0 cm). Leave 8 in (20.3 cm) tails at both ends. Adjust the chain count if needed to hit 18.5 in.

Make All Pieces

Brown: 1 band, 6 ballerina bodies (each with head, arms, and 2 legs), 24 beads, 6 finials, 6 cords.

Pink: 6 tutus (worked onto the bodies), 12 bows, plus the band trim.

The six strands hang at band sts 11, 31, 51, 71, 91, and 111. Positions below are measured down the cord from the band’s bottom edge:

ROW 1 (1.75 in / 4.4 cm):          BEAD BEAD BEAD BEAD BEAD BEAD
ROW 2 (3.5 in / 8.9 cm):           BOW  BOW  BOW  BOW  BOW  BOW
ROW 3 (5.25 in / 13.3 cm):         BEAD BEAD BEAD BEAD BEAD BEAD
ROW 4 (6.5–13 in / 16.5–33.0 cm):  BALLERINA x 6
ROW 5 (14.25 in / 36.2 cm):        BEAD BEAD BEAD BEAD BEAD BEAD
ROW 6 (16 in / 40.6 cm):           BOW  BOW  BOW  BOW  BOW  BOW
ROW 7 (17.75 in / 45.1 cm):        BEAD BEAD BEAD BEAD BEAD BEAD
ROW 8 (18.5–20 in / 47.0–50.8 cm): FINIAL x 6

Joining

Components to cords: Lay each cord flat and mark the positions from the grid. Sew each bead and bow centered over its mark, stitching through the cord so nothing can slide.

Ballerinas: The cord runs behind each figure. Tack the arm apex at 6.5 in (16.5 cm) and the joined toe tips at 13 in (33.0 cm), then tack the back of the head and the waist. Sew the finial’s closed top to the cord’s lower end.

Cords to band: Sew the top end of each cord to the WS of Row 6 at sts 11, 31, 51, 71, 91, and 111. Keep the cord’s top flush with the band’s bottom edge.

Tension: Sew snugly but never stretch the cord. Re-measure each cord after sewing. Sl st cords resist stretch, but tight sewing can bunch them.

Checkpoint: Each strand should measure 20 in (50.8 cm) from Row 6’s edge to the finial tip, and all six should be within 0.25 in (0.6 cm) of each other.

Border (Scalloped Trim)

Border gauge: The trim is worked at the same 5 sts per inch as the band. Only the bottom edge is bordered. The top carries the rings, and the side edges are left as worked.

Trim Row 1 (conversion row): With RS facing, join pink in the first sc of Row 6. Ch 1 and work 1 sc in each sc across. Turn. [121 sc = 121 worked 1-per-st + 0 extra]

Trim Row 2 (scallops): Ch 1, sc in first sc. Sk 4 sts, scallop in next st, sk 4 sts, sc in next st. Rep 12 times. Fasten off. [12 scallops x 9 dc + 13 sc = 121 sts]

At sts 11, 31, 51, 71, 91, and 111, work the valley sc through the stitch and around the cord behind it. This locks each strand in place.

Why the math works:

  • 121 = 12 x 10 + 1, so the scallops divide evenly with an sc on each end.
  • Each scallop covers 10 sts, or 2 in (5.1 cm).
  • Valleys fall on every 10th st, so every strand point (every 20 sts, or 4 in / 10.2 cm) lands exactly on a valley, directly under a lace shell column.

Final Blocking

  1. Wet the band lightly and pin it to 24.2 x 3 in (61.5 x 7.6 cm), not counting the trim.
  2. Pin each scallop point 1 in (2.5 cm) below the band edge.
  3. Pin each tutu into an even fan 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide, opening the spokes.
  4. Shape each arm loop into a smooth oval above the head.
  5. Mist with starch if desired.
  6. Dry completely flat.
  7. Hang the panel and let the strands settle for 24 hours.

Final Quality-Control Checklist

  • [ ] Band is 24.2 in (61.5 cm) wide and 4 in (10.2 cm) deep with trim.
  • [ ] Row 6 counts 121 sc, and the trim has 12 scallops.
  • [ ] Seven rings sit 4 in (10.2 cm) apart.
  • [ ] Six strands are 4 in (10.2 cm) apart, each locked in a valley.
  • [ ] Every strand measures 20 in (50.8 cm).
  • [ ] Each strand has 4 beads, 2 bows, 1 ballerina, and 1 finial.
  • [ ] Tutus are 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide and do not touch their neighbors.
  • [ ] All ends are woven in securely.

Troubleshooting

Band ruffles: Your chain loops are too long. Ch 5 instead of ch 6 in Row 4.

Band cups or pulls in: Loosen your tension on the chain loops, or go up a hook size.

Tutu cups: Your dc are tight. Go up a hook size for the tutu only.

Tutu ruffles: Make sure you skipped each ch-1 sp in Row 3.

Strands twist: Steam lightly, or hang a clothespin from each finial overnight.

Strands are uneven: Re-measure the cords and adjust them at the sewn top before working the trim.

Beads slide: Sew through the center of the cord, not just around it.

Care

Hand wash in cool water, press out moisture in a towel, and dry flat. Re-pin the tutus and scallops if they need it.

Crocheted pink and brown ballet-themed window decoration hanging in front of a bright window with green garden view.

Final Notes

Everything follows from one measurement chain:

  • A gauge of 5 sc per inch gives 121 sts, or 24.2 in (61.5 cm).
  • That width splits into 6 lace repeats of 20 sts, each 4 in (10.2 cm).
  • The trim adds 12 scallops of 10 sts each.
  • Strands hang at every 20th stitch.
  • Each strand is an 18.5 in (47.0 cm) cord plus a 1.5 in (3.8 cm) finial, for 20 in (50.8 cm).
  • The 3 in (7.6 cm) band plus the 20 in (50.8 cm) strands give a 23 in (58.4 cm) panel.

Optional: for a wider window, add 20-st lace repeats, with one strand per repeat.

Happy crocheting!

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