This door curtain is made of small crocheted bows strung on beaded chain cords. Fifty plum bows and twenty silver-gray bows hang on ten strands. Ivory pearls between gold spacer beads sit along each cord, and the finished curtain hangs from a brass rod across a doorway.
Each bow has rounded, knit-look wings, a tightly wrapped center, and two tails that splay outward and end in a notched, swallowtail point. The bows are arranged in staggered tiers, so the curtain looks full without the bows crowding each other.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. Each bow measures 4 in wide x 3.5 in tall (10.2 x 8.9 cm). The finished curtain is 40 in wide x 78 in long (101.6 x 198.1 cm) from the top-loop join to the bottom end, plus 2 in (5.1 cm) of hanging loop.
Construction is simple and repetitive. You crochet a wing oval in rounds and a tail strip in rows, then pinch and wrap them together into a bow. Each cord is chained in one pass, with pre-strung beads slid into place as you go. Finally, you sew the bows to marked “bow points” on the cords.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 40 x 78 in (101.6 x 198.1 cm), plus 2 in (5.1 cm) top loops
- Skill level: Easy / advanced beginner
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: DK (#3 light)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4)
- Number of pieces: 70 bows (each 1 wing piece + 1 tail strip) and 10 beaded cords
- Layout: 10 strands x 7 bows, with even strands offset 5 in (12.7 cm) lower
- Piece size: 4 x 3.5 in (10.2 x 8.9 cm) per bow
- Size before border: 36 in (91.4 cm) between outer strand centers x 78 in (198.1 cm) drop
- Border depth: 2 in (5.1 cm) top loops; bow tips add 2 in (5.1 cm) at each side for the full 40 in (101.6 cm) width
Materials
A smooth DK yarn works best. Choose cotton or a cotton-acrylic blend so the camel stitch V’s stay crisp. Fuzzy yarns hide the knit-look texture. The quantities below assume 50 g = 115 m (126 yd) balls.
- Plum: 210 g / 480 m (50 bows plus all 10 cords)
- Silver gray: 75 g / 170 m (20 bows)
These quantities include a margin of roughly 15%.
Tools and notions:
- 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook
- 230 ivory pearl beads, 8 mm, with large holes (at least 2 mm)
- 460 gold rondelle spacer beads, 2 mm thick, with large holes
- Dental floss threader or big-eye beading needle
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Scissors and tape measure
- Curtain rod at least 42 in (106.7 cm) long
- Blocking mat and rust-proof pins
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- RS – right side
- rnd – round
Special stitch: hdc3L (camel stitch). Every hdc has a horizontal bar just below its top V on the back of the stitch. This bar is the third loop. Work the hdc into that bar only. The top V of the stitch below then rolls forward, and the fabric looks like knit stockinette.
Bead cluster: Slide 1 gold bead, 1 pearl, and 1 gold bead up snug against the hook. Then work the next ch, which locks the cluster in place. One cluster measures about 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
Gauge and Checkpoints
- Hdc gauge: 18 hdc and 14 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Chain gauge: 4 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm), worked firmly
Make one complete bow before you start the full set, and check it against these measurements:
- Wing piece after Rnd 1: 2.9 x 0.5 in (7.4 x 1.3 cm)
- After Rnd 2: 3.5 x 1.1 in (8.9 x 2.8 cm)
- After Rnd 3: 4 x 1.7 in (10.2 x 4.3 cm)
- After Rnd 4: 4.25 x 2 in (10.8 x 5.1 cm)
- Tail strip: 4.5 x 0.9 in (11.4 x 2.3 cm)
- Assembled bow: 4 x 3.5 in (10.2 x 8.9 cm)
If your bow is too big, go down 0.5 mm in hook size. If it is too small, go up 0.5 mm. Next, chain 40 and measure the chain: it should be 10 in (25.4 cm). If it is not, adjust only your chain tension, because the cord lengths depend on it.
Bow Pattern
Wing Piece (make 1 per bow)
This piece is an oval worked in joined rounds around a foundation chain. Do not turn between rounds. The ch-2 at the start of a round does not count as a stitch.
Ch 12.
Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 9 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working along the opposite side of the foundation, sc in next 9 ch, then 2 sc in the same ch as the first sc. Join with sl st to the first sc. (24 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 9 sts, 2 hdc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next 9 sts, 2 hdc in each of last 2 sts. Join. (30 hdc)
Rnd 3: Ch 2. Work all sts in the third loop. 2 hdc3L in first st, hdc3L in next st, hdc3L in next 9 sts, [2 hdc3L in next st, hdc3L in next st] 3 times, hdc3L in next 9 sts, [2 hdc3L in next st, hdc3L in next st] 2 times. Join. (36 sts: 9 per long side, 9 per rounded end)
Place markers in st 17 and st 35. These are the center stitches of the two ends.
Rnd 4 (trim round): Ch 1. Sc in each st around, but work 2 sc in each marked st. Join. (36 + 2 = 38 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a 24 in (61.0 cm) tail for wrapping the center.
Tail Strip (make 1 per bow)
The tail strip is worked in rows, so the knit-look V’s run along the length of each tail.
Ch 22.
Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (20 hdc)
Rows 2–3: Ch 2, hdc3L in each st across. Turn. (20 sts)
At the end of Row 3, do not turn. Work the notched edging next.
Notched edging (trim round): Work down the short end as follows:
– (sc, hdc) in the end of Row 3
– sl st in the end of Row 2
– (hdc, sc) in the end of Row 1
– sl st in each of the 20 foundation ch
– (sc, hdc) in the end of Row 1
– sl st in the end of Row 2
– (hdc, sc) in the end of Row 3
– sl st in each of the 20 Row 3 sts
Join to the first sc and fasten off. (50 sts: 20 + 5 + 20 + 5)
Each short end now has a raised point at both corners and a dip in the middle, which forms the swallowtail notch.
Bow Assembly
- Fold the tail strip in half across its width. Angle the two halves into an inverted V, with each tail about 2.25 in (5.7 cm) long.
- Lay the wing piece RS up. Pinch its center across the short direction into three small accordion folds.
- Set the folded point of the tail strip behind the pinched center.
- Wrap the 24 in (61.0 cm) wing tail tightly around both layers 10–12 times. This builds a center knot about 0.6 in (1.5 cm) wide.
- Pass the needle through the back of the wraps 3 times to secure them, but do not trim the yarn yet. You will use it to attach the bow to its cord.
Make All Pieces
- Plum: 50 wing pieces + 50 tail strips = 50 bows
- Silver gray: 20 wing pieces + 20 tail strips = 20 bows
- Cords: 10, all in plum
Strands are numbered from left to right. Bow 1 is the top bow on each strand. P = plum, G = gray.
BOW 1: P G P G P G P G P G
BOW 2: P P P P P P P P P P
BOW 3: G P G P G P G P G P
BOW 4: P P P P P P P P P P
BOW 5: P G P G P G P G P G
BOW 6: P P P P P P P P P P
BOW 7: G P G P G P G P G P
Count check: 4 rows x 5 gray = 20 G, and 70 − 20 = 50 P.
Joining (Beaded Cords)
Each cord is one continuous chain. For each cord, thread 23 clusters onto the plum yarn before you start (69 beads: gold, pearl, gold, repeated). Each cluster is symmetrical, so the order never changes.
A bow point is ch 2, marked with a stitch marker. A segment is [ch 8, cluster] 3 times, ch 8. One bow point plus one segment is 34 ch + 3 clusters = 10 in (25.4 cm).
Odd strands (1, 3, 5, 7, 9):
1. Ch 16 and sl st to the first ch to form the top loop.
2. Lead: ch 10, cluster, ch 10.
3. [Bow point, segment] 6 times.
4. Bow point.
5. Tail: [ch 8, cluster] 4 times, ch 8. Fasten off.
Even strands (2, 4, 6, 8, 10):
1. Ch 16 and sl st to the first ch to form the top loop.
2. Lead: ch 10, cluster, [ch 8, cluster] 2 times, ch 10.
3. [Bow point, segment] 6 times.
4. Bow point.
5. Tail: [ch 8, cluster] 2 times, ch 8. Fasten off.
Stitch-to-stitch logic:
– Odd strands: 16 + 20 + (6 x 34) + 2 + 40 = 282 ch, with 1 + 18 + 4 = 23 clusters
– Even strands: 16 + 36 + 204 + 2 + 24 = 282 ch, with 3 + 18 + 2 = 23 clusters
Every strand therefore has the same chain count and the same bead count.
Attaching the bows: Center each bow over its bow point. Use the wing tail to sew through the back of the center wraps and into both bow-point chains, 3–4 times. Weave in the end.
Tension advice: Keep the chain even, and pull each cluster snug with no gap of loose yarn on either side. Loose chains stretch the drop.
Size checkpoint: Hang each cord before attaching bows. Measured from the loop join, it should be 78 in (198.1 cm) long.
Border: Top Loops and Bottom Ends
Here the “border” is the top and bottom edges of the curtain, so it uses the chain gauge: 4 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Top edge: Each top loop is 16 ch, which makes a ring 4 in (10.2 cm) around. Folded over the rod, it rises 2 in (5.1 cm). Ten loops give 160 ch along the top edge. Space the strands 4 in (10.2 cm) apart, center to center. Nine gaps x 4 in = 36 in (91.4 cm), and a 2 in (5.1 cm) half-bow at each side brings the width to 40 in (101.6 cm).
Bottom edge:
– Odd-strand tails: 12 in (30.5 cm) = 40 ch (10 in / 25.4 cm) + 4 clusters (2 in / 5.1 cm)
– Even-strand tails: 7 in (17.8 cm) = 24 ch (6 in / 15.2 cm) + 2 clusters (1 in / 2.5 cm)
Why the math works: Below the loop, each strand has 266 ch = 66.5 in (168.9 cm), plus 23 clusters x 0.5 in = 11.5 in (29.2 cm), for a total of 78 in (198.1 cm).
– Odd strands: The lead is 5.5 in (14.0 cm), so the bows hang 5.5 in (14.0 cm) below the loop join and then every 10 in (25.4 cm).
– Even strands: The lead is 10.5 in (26.7 cm), which pushes every bow 5 in (12.7 cm) lower.
Neighboring bows are therefore 5 in (12.7 cm) apart vertically. Since each bow is only 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall, they never overlap, and all strands still end level.
Final Blocking
- Before assembly, mist each wing piece and pin it flat to 4.25 x 2 in (10.8 x 5.1 cm).
- Pin each tail strip to 4.5 x 0.9 in (11.4 x 2.3 cm), with a pin in each notch point.
- Let the pieces dry completely, then assemble the bows.
- After assembly, gently fluff the wings with your fingers and re-angle the tails.
- Hang the finished curtain on the rod. Clip a light clothespin to each bottom end for 24 hours to straighten the cords.
- Remove the clothespins and check that all ends hang level.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- [ ] 70 bows total: 50 plum, 20 gray
- [ ] Every wing piece has 38 sts in Rnd 4 and measures 4.25 x 2 in (10.8 x 5.1 cm)
- [ ] Every tail strip has 50 edging sts and two notched ends
- [ ] Center wraps are tight and secured from behind
- [ ] Each cord has 282 ch and 23 clusters
- [ ] Each drop measures 78 in (198.1 cm)
- [ ] Bows sit exactly on their bow points, with even strands 5 in (12.7 cm) lower
- [ ] Gray bows match the layout grid
- [ ] All ends are woven in
Troubleshooting
Wings ruffle or cup: Your tension is too tight for the increases. Go up 0.5 mm in hook size, or check your Rnd 2 and Rnd 3 counts.
No knit look: You are working into the back loop instead of the third loop. The correct bar sits below the V, on the back of the stitch.
Notch is not visible: Make sure the middle row-end gets a sl st, not a sc.
Beads gap or slide: Chain closer to each cluster before locking it in place.
Strands end at different lengths: Recount the chains in each segment. One missing ch-8 shortens the drop by 2 in (5.1 cm).
Beads will not thread: Use a dental floss threader, or switch to beads with larger holes.
Bows twist sideways: Sew through both bow-point chains, not just one.
Care
Hand wash in cool water, roll the curtain in a towel, and lay it flat or hang it to dry. Avoid hot irons, which can damage the pearl beads and flatten the knit-look texture.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is short:
- Gauge: 18 hdc = 4 in (10.2 cm) gives a 38-st wing piece of 4.25 x 2 in (10.8 x 5.1 cm) and a bow of 4 x 3.5 in (10.2 x 8.9 cm).
- Cords: 4 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm), with 0.5 in (1.3 cm) clusters, turns 266 ch and 23 clusters into a 78 in (198.1 cm) drop.
- Width: Ten strands spaced 4 in (10.2 cm) apart give a 40 in (101.6 cm) width.
Check each link in that chain as you go, and the curtain will hang straight and even.
Happy crocheting!