This door curtain brings a calm night sky into any doorway. At the top, a lacy navy valance with eight rounded scallops hangs from a rod. Below it, eight navy cords hang down carrying stars, crescent moons, puffy clouds, beads, and tassels.
The colors are deep navy, golden yellow, soft cream, and pale light blue. The navy stars have yellow centers. The clouds, the large stars, and the yellow and cream moons all have embroidered sleeping faces, and the navy moons are dotted with yellow knots.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished curtain is 32.25 in (81.9 cm) wide. It measures 46.5 in (118.1 cm) from the top of the valance to the bottom of the tassels.
You’ll crochet the valance in rows and make the motifs separately. Then you chain each strand straight off a scallop tip with the beads already threaded on, and sew the motifs to the cords.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 32.25 in (81.9 cm) x 46.5 in (118.1 cm)
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (4) cotton
- Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Number of pieces: 1 valance, 45 small stars, 3 large stars, 4 moons, 4 clouds, 8 tassels
- Layout: 8 strands, one from each scallop tip
- Scallop size: 4 in (10.2 cm) wide
- Valance depth before the scallop edge: 1.3 in (3.3 cm)
- Scallop edge depth: 2.2 in (5.6 cm), which gives 3.5 in (8.9 cm) total
Materials
Use a smooth worsted cotton. It keeps the star points crisp, and it won’t stretch much under the weight of the strands. The amounts below assume about 1.7 m per gram.
- Navy: 150 g / 255 m
- Golden yellow: 60 g / 102 m
- Cream: 60 g / 102 m
- Light blue: 30 g / 51 m
- Black embroidery floss: 3 m / 3.3 yd
All quantities include a margin of about 15%.
Tools:
– 4.5 mm (US 7) hook
– 56 wooden beads, 12 mm, with holes of at least 4 mm
– 56 clear acrylic beads, 10 mm, with holes of at least 4 mm
– Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
– Dental-floss loop to use as a bead threader
– Stitch markers
– 4 in (10.2 cm) piece of cardboard for the tassels
– Curtain rod, 36 in (91.4 cm) or longer
– Blocking mats, pins, and a spray bottle
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet
- sp: space
- st(s): stitch(es)
- MR: magic ring
Bead chain: Slide the next pre-strung bead up against the hook and ch 1, which locks the bead into the chain.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge:
– 16 sc x 18 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm)
– Cords: 4 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm)
Make one small star first. It should measure 1.75 in (4.4 cm) from point to point. If it’s bigger, go down 0.5 mm in hook size. If it’s smaller, go up 0.5 mm.
Checkpoints:
– Valance after Row 1: 32.25 in (81.9 cm) wide
– After Row 6: 1.3 in (3.3 cm) deep
– After Row 10: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) deep at the tips
– Moon: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall
– Cloud: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) x 2.25 in (5.7 cm)
– Large star: 3 in (7.6 cm)
– Cord: 39.5 in (100.3 cm)
If the valance comes out the wrong width, change your hook size. Don’t change the stitch count, because the scallop math depends on it.
Valance Band
With navy, ch 130.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (129 sc)
Rows 2–6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (129 sc)
Don’t fasten off. Go straight on to the Border section, then come back for the rod loops.
Rod loops (work after the Border): Join navy in the first ch of the foundation chain. Ch 12, then sl st in the same ch. Sl st in each of the next 16 ch, ch 12, sl st in the same ch 8 times. This makes 9 loops and uses 1 + (16 x 8) = 129 ch. Fasten off. The loops line up with the scallop boundaries.
Small Star (make 45)
Make a MR.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 10 sc in the ring, sl st to the first sc. (10 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc in the next ch, skip the next sc, sl st in the next sc 5 times. The last sl st lands in the joining st. (5 points)
Each point uses 2 sts, and 5 x 2 = 10. Fasten off and leave a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail for sewing.
Navy star: Work Rnd 1 in yellow, then join navy and work Rnd 2 in navy.
Large Sleepy Star (make 3)
Make a MR.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 10 sc in the ring, sl st to join. (10 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st, sl st to join. (20 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch 5, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc in the next ch, dc in the next ch, tr in the next ch, skip the next 3 sc, sl st in the next sc 5 times. (5 points)
Each point uses 4 sts, and 5 x 4 = 20. The finished star measures 3 in (7.6 cm).
Crescent Moon (make 4)
Increases along one edge make the strip curve. The foundation chain becomes the inner curve of the moon.
Ch 17.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc in the next ch, dc in the next ch, 2 dc in each of the next 10 ch, dc in the next ch, hdc in the next ch, sc in the last ch. This works into 16 ch: 1 + 1 + 1 + 20 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 26 sts. (26 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each of the first 2 sts, hdc in the next st, (dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next st) 10 times, hdc in the next st, sc in each of the last 2 sts. Total: 2 + 1 + 30 + 1 + 2 = 36 sts. (36 sts)
Rnd 3 (outline): Ch 1. Sc in each of the 36 sts. Work 2 sc down the row ends at the first tip. Work 16 sc across the foundation chain. Work 2 sc up the row ends at the second tip, then sl st to join. Total: 36 + 2 + 16 + 2 = 56 sc. (56 sc)
The finished moon is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall and 2 in (5.1 cm) wide.
Sleepy Cloud (make 4)
With cream, ch 13.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (12 sc)
Rows 2–4: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (12 sc)
Row 5 (puffs): Ch 1, turn. Work across the row as follows:
– Sl st in st 1, skip st 2, 7 dc in st 3, skip st 4.
– Sl st in st 5, skip st 6, 9 dc in st 7, skip st 8.
– Sl st in st 9, skip st 10, 7 dc in st 11, sl st in st 12.
(23 dc, 4 sl st)
Rnd 6 (outline): Ch 1. Work 4 sc down the row ends, 12 sc across the foundation chain, and 4 sc up the other row ends. Sl st to join. Total: 4 + 12 + 4 = 20 sc. (20 sc)
The cloud measures 3.5 in (8.9 cm) x 2.25 in (5.7 cm).
Faces and Tassels
Faces: Use black floss. For each closed eye, stitch a small downward curve, then add 3 tiny lashes below it.
– Clouds and large stars: 2 eyes, 0.75 in (1.9 cm) apart
– Yellow and cream moons: 1 eye near the inner curve
– Navy moons: no face; instead, add 5 yellow French knots
Tassels: Make 5 navy and 3 light blue.
1. Wrap the yarn 30 times around the 4 in (10.2 cm) cardboard.
2. Tie the loops together at the top and cut the bottom.
3. Wrap the neck 0.5 in (1.3 cm) below the top.
4. Trim the tassel to 3.5 in (8.9 cm).
Make All Pieces
Small stars:
– 17 navy (yellow center)
– 18 yellow (14 for the strands, 4 for the valance)
– 7 cream (3 for the strands, 4 for the valance)
– 3 light blue
Large stars: 1 yellow, 2 cream
Moons: 1 yellow, 1 cream, 2 navy
Clouds: 4 cream
Tassels: 5 navy, 3 light blue
Strand layout (motifs from top to bottom, then the tassel):
S1: N star | cloud | Y star | N star | navy moon | Y star -> LB tassel
S2: Y star | N star | C star | Y star | N star | Y star -> N tassel
S3: N star | Y star | yellow moon | N star | large Y | N star -> N tassel
S4: Y star | N star | cloud | N star | C star | Y star -> LB tassel
S5: N star | large C | LB star | N star | large C | N star -> LB tassel
S6: LB star | cream moon | Y star | cloud | N star | Y star -> N tassel
S7: N star | navy moon | LB star | cloud | N star | Y star -> N tassel
S8: Y star | N star | C star | Y star | N star | Y star -> N tassel
Joining: Strands and Motifs
Pre-string the beads. Each strand needs 7 wooden and 7 clear beads. The last bead you thread is the first one you’ll use, so thread them in bottom-to-top order. Start with a wooden bead, alternate, and end with a clear one.
Chain the cord:
1. Join navy with a sl st in the ch-3 tip of a scallop.
2. Ch 8.
3. Bead chain (clear), bead chain (wood), ch 22 6 times.
4. Bead chain (clear), bead chain (wood), ch 4.
Total: 8 + (6 x 24) + 6 = 158 ch, which is 39.5 in (100.3 cm). Knot the end of the cord through the top of a tassel and weave in the end.
Make one strand from each of the 8 tips. Keep your tension even. Tight chains make the strand short, and loose chains sag.
Sew on the motifs. Center each motif on its ch-22 section, which is 5.5 in (14.0 cm) long, with the cord behind the motif. Sew through the cord at the top and bottom of each motif, and at both tips of each moon. Sew one small star in the center of each scallop, alternating yellow and cream.
Size checkpoint: Measure each cord from the scallop tip to the tassel. It should be 39.5 in (100.3 cm).
Border: Scallop Edge
Border gauge: Each scallop uses 16 band sts and measures 4 in (10.2 cm) wide.
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, sc in the first st, ch 5, skip 3 sts, sc in the next st 32 times. This uses 1 + (32 x 4) = 129 sts. (33 sc, 32 ch-5 sps)
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, sc in the first sc. Ch 3, sc in the next ch-5 sp, (ch 5, sc in the next ch-5 sp) 3 times, ch 3, sc in the next sc 8 times. The sc you end each repeat in is called the boundary sc. (41 sc, 16 ch-3 sps, 24 ch-5 sps)
Row 9: Ch 1, turn, sc in the first sc. Ch 2, skip the ch-3 sp, 4 dc in the next ch-5 sp, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in the next ch-5 sp, 4 dc in the next ch-5 sp, ch 2, skip the ch-3 sp, sc in the boundary sc 8 times. Skip the sc between the arcs. (112 dc, 9 sc, 8 ch-3 tips)
Row 10: Ch 1, turn, sc in the first sc. 2 sc in the ch-2 sp, sc in each of the next 7 dc, (2 sc, ch 3, 2 sc) in the ch-3 tip, sc in each of the next 7 dc, 2 sc in the ch-2 sp, sc in the next sc 8 times. Each scallop has 22 sc plus its boundary sc, so the total is 1 + (8 x 23) = 185 sc. (185 sc, 8 ch-3 tips)
Why the math works: 129 = (16 x 8) + 1. Each scallop takes exactly 4 ch-5 spaces, and the extra stitch gives you a boundary sc at both ends. The edge stays 32.25 in (81.9 cm) wide, and each tip sits at the center of its 4 in (10.2 cm) scallop.
Final Blocking
- Mist the valance before you attach anything.
- Pin it to 32.25 in (81.9 cm) x 3.5 in (8.9 cm), with one pin in each tip.
- Pin the moons, clouds, and stars to their checkpoint sizes, opening up the star points.
- Let everything dry completely.
- Assemble the curtain and hang it for 24 hours so the cords can relax.
- Trim the tassels so they hang level.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The band has 129 sts, and Row 10 has 185 sc.
- There are 9 rod loops, lined up with the scallop boundaries.
- There are 8 cords, each 158 ch long with 7 clear and 7 wooden beads.
- Every motif is sewn at the top and bottom.
- All faces point to the front.
- The tassels are 3.5 in (8.9 cm) long and hang level.
- All ends are woven in.
Troubleshooting
- The valance flares: Go down one hook size for Row 9.
- The scallops pucker: Loosen the Row 8 chains.
- The beads stick on the yarn: Use a floss threader, or use beads with 5 mm holes.
- The moon lies flat instead of curving: Recount Row 1 (26 sts) and Row 2 (36 sts).
- The strands are uneven: Recount the chains. Each cord should be 158 ch.
- The star points curl: Pin and block them.
Care
Spot-clean with a damp cloth and mild soap, then lay flat to dry. Don’t machine wash, because the strands will tangle.
Final Notes
The measurements build on each other:
– A gauge of 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm) makes a 129-st band that is 32.25 in (81.9 cm) wide.
– The band divides into 8 scallops of 4 in (10.2 cm), each ending in a tip.
– Each tip holds a 158-ch cord that is 39.5 in (100.3 cm) long.
– The 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tassels finish the 46.5 in (118.1 cm) drop.
Check each stage against its checkpoint and the curtain will hang straight.
Happy crocheting!