The Sunlit Diamond Filet Curtain Panel is a long, airy cream panel worked in classic filet crochet. Five tall diamonds are stacked down the center. Each one has a bold two-block outline, an open mesh interior and a small solid diamond at its heart. Two slim solid stripes run the full length on each side of the diamond column, giving the panel a calm, structured look.
The single cream color keeps the focus on the light coming through the mesh. Natural cotton gives crisp blocks and soft drape, and it suits rustic, farmhouse and boho rooms.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished panel measures 23.0 in x 72.0 in (58.4 cm x 182.9 cm) after the border and blocking.
You work the panel in one piece from the bottom up, in rows of open and solid filet blocks. A three-round single crochet border finishes all four edges and gives the clip rings a firm edge to grip. For a pair like the one in the window, make a second identical panel.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 23.0 in x 72.0 in (58.4 cm x 182.9 cm)
- Skill level: Intermediate (basic filet chart reading)
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: DK / light (#3) cotton
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6)
- Number of pieces: 1
- Layout: single panel, 43 blocks wide x 141 rows tall
- Piece size before border: 21.5 in x 70.5 in (54.6 cm x 179.1 cm)
- Border depth: 0.75 in (1.9 cm) on each side, 3 rounds of sc
Materials
Yarn: Use a smooth, mercerized or combed cotton in DK weight. Cotton holds the square shape of each mesh and blocks crisply. Avoid fuzzy or very stretchy yarns, because the open meshes will blur and the long panel may sag.
- Cream: about 450 g / 1,035 m (1,132 yd), which is 9 balls of 50 g / 115 m
These quantities include a margin of about 15% for the gauge swatch and small tension differences.
Tools:
- 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers (4)
- Measuring tape
- Rust-proof pins and a large blocking surface (clean floor with towels works)
- Spray bottle
- 10 curtain clip rings for hanging (not crocheted)
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sk = skip
- sp = space
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- O = open block
- S = solid block
Filet blocks: Each block is 3 sts wide and shares a dc with the next block. A row of 43 blocks has 130 sts (43 x 3 + 1).
- Open block (O): ch 2, sk the next 2 sts (or the ch-2 sp), dc in the next dc.
- Solid block (S) over an open block: 2 dc in the ch-2 sp, dc in the next dc.
- Solid block (S) over a solid block: dc in each of the next 3 dc.
- Open block (O) over a solid block: ch 2, sk the next 2 dc, dc in the next dc.
Row start: Every row starts with an open block. Ch 5 (counts as dc and ch-2), sk the ch-2 sp, dc in the next dc. That completes block 1.
Row end: The last block is always open. Ch 2, dc in the 3rd ch of the turning ch-5.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 10 blocks and 10 rows = 5 in (12.7 cm) in filet mesh, blocked. Each block is 0.5 in (1.3 cm) square.
Swatch first. Ch 35, dc in the 8th ch from the hook, [ch 2, sk 2 ch, dc in next ch] 8 times. That gives 10 open blocks. Work 9 more rows of open blocks, then wet block and let dry. It should measure 5 in (12.7 cm) square, within 0.25 in (0.6 cm).
- Too big: Go down to a 3.75 mm hook.
- Too small: Go up to a 4.5 mm hook.
- Width right but rows too short: Pull up the first loop of each dc a little taller. Square blocks keep the diamonds in proportion.
Checkpoints (lightly stretched flat, before blocking):
- After Row 6: width 21.5 in (54.6 cm), height 3.0 in (7.6 cm)
- After Row 31 (first diamond): 15.5 in (39.4 cm) tall
- After Row 57: 28.5 in (72.4 cm) tall
- After Row 83: 41.5 in (105.4 cm) tall
- After Row 109: 54.5 in (138.4 cm) tall
- After Row 141: 70.5 in (179.1 cm) tall
Unblocked cotton often runs a little short. You can make up a small difference when you block. If you are more than 1 in (2.5 cm) off at Row 31, recheck your gauge before you go on.
Panel Layout
The 43 blocks across every row fall into three zones:
- Edge A (blocks 1-9): O3, S1, O3, S1, O1
- Center band (blocks 10-34): 25 blocks that carry the diamond
- Edge B (blocks 35-43): O1, S1, O3, S1, O3
The S blocks in Edge A and Edge B (blocks 4, 8, 36 and 40) are the four solid stripes. They are solid in every row from Row 1 to Row 141. Blocks 9 and 35 are always open, so there is a one-block gap on each side of the diamonds.
Every row has 130 sts (43 blocks). The block count never changes. Only the mix of O and S changes.
Foundation and Plain Rows
Foundation: Ch 134 (43 x 3 + 5).
Row 1: Dc in the 8th ch from the hook. That completes block 1. Work the rest of Edge A, then O25 for the center band, then Edge B, working into the chain. For each solid block, dc in each of the next 3 ch. For each open block, ch 2, sk 2 ch, dc in next ch. Turn. (43 blocks, 130 sts)
Plain row: Edge A, O25, Edge B. Turn. (43 blocks, 130 sts)
Rows 2-6: Work a plain row. (5 rows)
Diamond Rows
Each diamond takes 25 rows. Work each row as Edge A + center band row + Edge B and turn at the end. The design is symmetrical, so you can read every row from either end. Every row has 43 blocks and 130 sts.
Center band rows (25 blocks each):
- D1: O12, S1, O12
- D2: O11, S3, O11
- D3: O10, S2, O1, S2, O10
- D4: O9, S2, O3, S2, O9
- D5: O8, S2, O5, S2, O8
- D6: O7, S2, O7, S2, O7
- D7: O6, S2, O9, S2, O6
- D8: O5, S2, O11, S2, O5
- D9: O4, S2, O13, S2, O4
- D10: O3, S2, O15, S2, O3
- D11: O2, S2, O8, S1, O8, S2, O2
- D12: O1, S2, O8, S3, O8, S2, O1
- D13 (widest row): S2, O8, S5, O8, S2
- D14: as D12
- D15: as D11
- D16: as D10
- D17: as D9
- D18: as D8
- D19: as D7
- D20: as D6
- D21: as D5
- D22: as D4
- D23: as D3
- D24: as D2
- D25: as D1
How the shapes form: From D3 to D13, each pair of S2 groups moves one block outward per row. That builds a solid outline two blocks thick. The inner S1, S3, S5, S3, S1 in D11-D15 makes the small solid center diamond. In D13 the outline reaches blocks 10 and 34. Blocks 9 and 35 stay open.
Stacking the Diamonds
- Rows 7-31: Diamond 1 (D1-D25)
- Row 32: Plain row
- Rows 33-57: Diamond 2
- Row 58: Plain row
- Rows 59-83: Diamond 3
- Row 84: Plain row
- Rows 85-109: Diamond 4
- Row 110: Plain row
- Rows 111-135: Diamond 5
- Rows 136-141: Plain rows (6 rows)
Check: 6 + (5 x 25) + 4 + 6 = 141 rows. At 0.5 in (1.3 cm) per row, that’s 70.5 in (179.1 cm). With 6 plain rows at the bottom and 6 at the top, the diamond column sits centered.
Do not fasten off after Row 141. Keep the loop live for the border.
Border
Border gauge: 4 sc and 4 rounds = 1 in (2.5 cm). Each border round adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on every side.
How the counts work: Side counts below are the stitches between the corner stitches. The corner stitch is the center sc of each 3-sc corner group and is counted separately (4 per round).
Round 1: Ch 1. Do not turn.
- Top edge: Work 3 sc in the last dc of Row 141 (corner). Then, across the top, work 1 sc in each block and 1 sc in each dividing dc. In an open block, put the sc in the ch-2 sp. In a solid block, put it in the first of the 2 filler dc. Stop before the last dc, which is the next corner. That gives 42 dividing dc + 43 blocks = 85 sc. Work 3 sc in the corner dc.
- Side edge: Work 2 sc around the post of each edge dc or turning ch, down all 141 rows. That’s 282 sc. Work 3 sc in the free loop of the foundation ch at the base of the corner dc.
- Bottom edge: Work 1 sc in the free loop at the base of each dividing dc, and 1 sc in one skipped ch under each block. That’s 85 sc, the same as the top. Work 3 sc in the last corner.
- Second side edge: 282 sc. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Count each side from the center of one corner to the center of the next. The top and bottom have 1 + 85 + 1 = 87 sc. Each long side has 1 + 282 + 1 = 284 sc. Add 4 corner sts. Round total: 87 + 87 + 284 + 284 + 4 = 746 sc.
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, with 3 sc in each corner st. Join. The top and bottom have 89 sc, each long side has 286 sc, plus 4 corners. Total: 754 sc.
Round 3: Repeat Round 2. The top and bottom have 91 sc, each long side has 288 sc, plus 4 corners. Total: 762 sc. Fasten off.
Why the math works: The panel is 21.5 in (54.6 cm) wide, so 85 sc at 4 sc per inch lies flat. The long sides need 70.5 in x 4 = 282 sc, which is exactly 2 sc per row. Each corner group adds 1 st to each side it touches. That gives +2 per side and +8 per round. After 3 rounds, 288 sc on the long side equals 72.0 in (182.9 cm), and the top measures 23.0 in (58.4 cm) including the corners.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends along solid blocks or the border, never across open meshes.
- Soak the panel in cool water for 15 minutes. Press out the water gently; do not wring.
- Roll it in towels to remove more water.
- Lay it flat on a towel-covered floor. Pin the four corners to 23.0 in x 72.0 in (58.4 cm x 182.9 cm).
- Pin along each long side every 4-6 in (10.2-15.2 cm), keeping the edges straight.
- Straighten the stripes and diamond tips with your fingers so the meshes look square.
- Let it dry completely before you unpin it.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- [ ] Every row has 43 blocks (130 sts)
- [ ] The four solid stripes are unbroken from Row 1 to Row 141
- [ ] Five diamonds, each with a centered small solid diamond
- [ ] Blocks 9 and 35 are open in every row
- [ ] 6 plain rows at the bottom and 6 at the top
- [ ] Border Round 3 has 762 sc: 91 on top and bottom, 288 on each side, 4 corners
- [ ] Blocked size is 23.0 in x 72.0 in (58.4 cm x 182.9 cm)
- [ ] No ends showing through the open mesh
Troubleshooting
- Diamonds look squat or stretched: Your blocks aren’t square. Adjust your dc height, not your hook, and check against the swatch.
- Diamond is off-center: Count Edge A again. It must be exactly 9 blocks before the center band.
- Row is short or long by a few sts: Usually a solid block was worked over an open one with 3 dc in the sp instead of 2. Each block adds exactly 3 sts.
- Border ruffles: You may have worked 3 sc into some row-ends. Keep it at exactly 2 per row.
- Border pulls in: Go up 0.5 mm for the border only.
- Panel leans: Make sure each row starts with ch 5 and ends in the 3rd ch of the turning chain.
Care
Hand wash cool or machine wash on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag. Reshape and dry flat. Do not hang it wet, because the weight of the water will stretch the length.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is short. Square 0.5 in (1.3 cm) blocks give a 43-block x 141-row panel of 21.5 in x 70.5 in (54.6 cm x 179.1 cm). Three sc rounds at 0.25 in (0.6 cm) each add 0.75 in (1.9 cm) per side, for a finished 23.0 in x 72.0 in (58.4 cm x 182.9 cm).
To hang, clip a ring to each top corner and then to every 10th sc across the top border. If your gauge holds at the swatch and the Row 31 checkpoint, the rest of the panel will follow.
Happy crocheting!