The Terracotta Trellis Beaded Curtain is a hanging strand curtain built from two small lace motifs. One is a round flower medallion and the other is an on-point square that reads as a diamond. The two shapes alternate down each strand, linked by cream pearl beads. Every strand ends in a full tassel and hangs from a flat crochet tab looped over a wooden rod.
The whole curtain is one color, a warm terracotta (rust-rose) cotton, so the texture does the work. Light through a window shows off the lace centers, the shell edges of the medallions, and the open chain-loop edges of the diamonds. The look is boho and soft, and it suits a window, a doorway, or a room divider.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished curtain is about 44.75 in (113.7 cm) wide and 63 in (160.0 cm) long, measured from the top of the rod to the tassel tips.
Construction is simple and repetitive. You make each motif in the round. As you finish each one, you link its bottom tip to the motif below with a beaded chain connector, so each strand is built from the bottom up. Then you add a flat tab to the top of every strand and a tassel to the bottom.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 44.75 in (113.7 cm) wide x 63 in (160.0 cm) long, hung
- Skill level: Intermediate (bead placement with a steel hook)
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: DK (3), cotton
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4)
- Number of pieces: 132 motifs (66 round, 66 diamond) and 11 tassels, joined into 11 strands
- Layout: 11 strands x 12 motifs each, alternating round and diamond
- Piece size: round medallion 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across; diamond 3.25 in (8.3 cm) per side and 4.75 in (12.1 cm) tip to tip
- Size before border: each beaded strand is 56 in (142.2 cm) from top tip to bottom tip
- Border depth: the top tabs add 1.5 in (3.8 cm) of drop below the rod; the bottom connector and tassel add 5.5 in (14.0 cm)
Materials
Yarn: Use a smooth mercerized or combed cotton in DK weight, about 110 m (120 yd) per 50 g. Cotton keeps the lace open and hangs straight. Avoid fuzzy or very stretchy yarns, because a long strand will stretch under its own weight.
- Terracotta: 550 g (about 1,210 m / 1,323 yd), which is eleven 50 g balls
These amounts include a margin of about 10 percent for gauge swatches, tails, and trimming the tassels.
Tools:
- 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook
- 0.75 mm (US steel 12) hook, or any hook fine enough to pass through a bead
- 140 cream pearl beads, 10 mm, with holes of at least 2.5 mm (132 used, plus spares)
- Stiff card 5 in (12.7 cm) tall, for the tassels
- Tapestry needle and sharp scissors
- Locking stitch markers
- Wooden curtain rod at least 48 in (121.9 cm) long and up to 1 in (2.5 cm) in diameter
- Spray bottle, rustproof pins, and a blocking board
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- MR – magic ring
Special stitch – Bead chain (bch): Take the main hook out of the loop. Thread one bead onto the steel hook, catch the loop with it, and pull the loop through the bead. Put the main hook back into the loop and ch 1 to lock the bead in place.
Shell: 5 dc in the same space.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: Rounds 1–2 of either motif measure 2 in (5.1 cm) across.
Before anything else, make one round medallion and one diamond. Block them lightly and measure them.
- After Round 2 (both motifs): 2 in (5.1 cm) across
- Round medallion after Round 3: 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across
- Diamond after Round 3: 2.75 in (7.0 cm) per side
- Diamond after Round 4: 3.25 in (8.3 cm) per side and 4.75 in (12.1 cm) tip to tip
If your motifs come out too big, change to a 3.25 mm hook. If they come out too small, use a 3.75 mm hook. Getting this right matters: a diamond that is 0.25 in (0.6 cm) too long adds 1.5 in (3.8 cm) to every strand.
Round Medallion (make 66)
Round 1: Make a MR. Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 15 dc in the ring, and join with a sl st to the top of the ch-3. Pull the ring closed. (16 dc)
Round 2: Ch 5 (counts as dc and ch 2), dc in next dc, ch 2; repeat from * 14 more times, then join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of the beginning ch-5. (16 dc, 16 ch-2 sps)
Round 3: Sl st into the first ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 4 dc in the same sp, sc in the next ch-2 sp, shell in next ch-2 sp, sc in next ch-2 sp; repeat from * 6 more times, then join with a sl st to the top of the ch-3. (8 shells and 8 sc: 48 sts)
Move to the tip: Sl st in the next 2 dc. You are now at the center dc of the first shell, which is the motif’s bottom tip. The center dc of the shell directly opposite (the 5th shell) is the top tip. Mark it.
Do not fasten off. Keep the loop on a locking marker until you work the connector (see Joining).
Diamond Motif (make 66)
Rounds 1–2: Work these the same as Rounds 1–2 of the Round Medallion. (16 dc, 16 ch-2 sps)
Round 3 (squaring round): Sl st into the first ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), then work (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in the same sp for the first corner. [Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp] 3 times, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp; repeat from * 2 more times. [Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp] 3 times, ch 1, and join with a sl st to the top of the ch-3.
Count: each corner uses 6 dc and each side sp uses 3 dc, so the round has 24 + 36 = 60 dc. Each side has 15 dc from one corner ch-3 to the next (3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3). There are 4 corner ch-3 sps and 16 ch-1 sps (4 per side).
Round 4 (lace edge): Sl st in the next 2 dc and into the corner ch-3 sp. Ch 1, then work (sc, ch 3, sc) in the same corner sp. [Ch 3, sc in next ch-1 sp] 4 times, ch 3, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next corner sp; repeat from * 2 more times. [Ch 3, sc in next ch-1 sp] 4 times, ch 3, and join with a sl st to the first sc.
Count: 24 sc and 24 ch-3 loops (4 corner loops plus 5 side loops on each of the 4 sides).
Move to the tip: Sl st into the first corner ch-3 loop. This corner is the bottom tip, and the opposite corner loop is the top tip. Mark it. Hold the motif on point so it hangs as a diamond.
Do not fasten off. Keep the loop on a locking marker.
Make All Pieces
You need 132 motifs and 11 tassels, all in terracotta:
- Round medallions: 66
- Diamonds: 66
- Tassels: 11
Each strand has 6 round medallions and 6 diamonds. Strand A starts with a round medallion at the top, and Strand B starts with a diamond. Alternate the two types across the rod so the shapes stagger, for 6 A strands and 5 B strands.
Layout (O = round medallion, D = diamond, read top to bottom):
Strand: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Type: A B A B A B A B A B A
Pos 1: O D O D O D O D O D O
Pos 2: D O D O D O D O D O D
Pos 3: O D O D O D O D O D O
Pos 4: D O D O D O D O D O D
Pos 5: O D O D O D O D O D O
Pos 6: D O D O D O D O D O D
Pos 7: O D O D O D O D O D O
Pos 8: D O D O D O D O D O D
Pos 9: O D O D O D O D O D O
Pos 10: D O D O D O D O D O D
Pos 11: O D O D O D O D O D O
Pos 12: D O D O D O D O D O D
Totals: 11 strands x 6 = 66 of each shape.
Joining
Each strand is built from the bottom up, so you join every motif as soon as it’s finished.
Bottom motif (Position 12): Finish the motif and move to its bottom tip. Ch 2, bch, ch 2. Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail to tie on the tassel.
Each motif above it (Positions 11 up to 1): Finish the motif and move to its bottom tip. Work the connector: ch 2, bch, ch 2. Then sl st into the top tip of the motif below. On a round medallion, that’s the center dc of the marked shell; on a diamond, it’s the marked corner ch-3 loop. Fasten off and weave the tail back through the chains and into the motif.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: Every connector runs tip to tip, always from a shell center or corner loop to a shell center or corner loop. This keeps each motif hanging straight. A connector is 5 ch plus one bead and measures 1 in (2.5 cm).
Tension: Keep the connector chains firm but not tight. Loose chains let the bead tip sideways, and tight chains pucker the tips. Work every connector the same way so the strands stay even.
Size checkpoint: Each strand should measure 56 in (142.2 cm) from top tip to bottom tip. That’s 6 x 2.75 in for the medallions (16.5 in / 41.9 cm), plus 6 x 4.75 in for the diamonds (28.5 in / 72.4 cm), plus 11 x 1 in for the connectors (11 in / 27.9 cm). Lay the strands side by side; they should match within 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
Border: Top Tabs and Tassel Hem
The strands hang free, so the curtain has no border around it. The top tabs and bottom tassels form its edges.
Border gauge: 5 sc and 6 rows = 1 in (2.5 cm) in sc.
Tab, Row 1: Hold the strand with Position 1 at the top and join yarn at the top tip.
- Strand A (round medallion): work 1 sc in each of the 5 dc of the top shell. (5 sc)
- Strand B (diamond): work 5 sc in the top corner ch-3 loop. (5 sc)
Rows 2–24: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across. (5 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. Fold the tab back over the rod and sew Row 24 to the back of Row 1.
Why the math works: Both kinds of top tip give a 5-stitch base. A shell has 5 dc, and a ch-3 corner easily holds 5 sc. That makes every tab the same width, 1 in (2.5 cm). At 6 rows per inch, 24 rows measure 4 in (10.2 cm), so the tab forms a loop 4 in (10.2 cm) around. That fits a 1 in (2.5 cm) rod, which is 3.14 in (8.0 cm) around, with room to slide. Spaced 4 in (10.2 cm) apart center to center, the tabs leave 10 gaps covering 40 in (101.6 cm). Half a diamond’s width at each end adds 4.75 in (12.1 cm) in total, for a width of 44.75 in (113.7 cm).
Tassels (make 11): Wrap yarn 40 times around the 5 in (12.7 cm) card. Pull the 6 in (15.2 cm) tail from the bottom connector under the wraps at the top of the card and tie them tightly. Cut the bottom loops. With a separate strand, wrap tightly 6 times around the tassel 0.5 in (1.3 cm) below the top and knot. Trim the tassel to 4.5 in (11.4 cm). The 1 in (2.5 cm) connector plus the tassel makes the 5.5 in (14.0 cm) bottom edge.
Total length: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) of tab drop + 56 in (142.2 cm) of strand + 5.5 in (14.0 cm) at the bottom = 63 in (160.0 cm).
Final Blocking
- Before joining, soak the motifs in cool water and press the water out in a towel.
- Pin each round medallion to 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across, opening out every shell.
- Pin each diamond to 3.25 in (8.3 cm) per side, with a pin through each corner loop to keep the tips sharp.
- Let the motifs dry completely before you join them.
- After assembly, hang the curtain and mist each strand lightly.
- Run your fingers down each strand to straighten the connectors and center the beads.
- Steam the tassels lightly, comb them straight, and trim any uneven ends.
- Leave the curtain hanging for 24 hours so the cotton settles to its final length.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- 11 strands of 12 motifs each, alternating correctly
- Every round medallion has 8 shells and measures 2.75 in (7.0 cm)
- Every diamond has 24 ch-3 loops and measures 4.75 in (12.1 cm) tip to tip
- 132 beads, each locked with a ch 1
- Every strand measures 56 in (142.2 cm) tip to tip
- Tabs are 5 sts wide and 24 rows long, and securely sewn
- All 11 tassels trimmed to 4.5 in (11.4 cm)
- All ends woven in and hidden
Troubleshooting
- Round medallion cups: Round 1 is too tight. Go up one hook size for Round 1 only.
- Medallion ruffles: The shells are too loose. Work them with slightly firmer tension.
- Diamond isn’t square: Check for 15 dc per side in Round 3. A missing ch 1 pulls one side in.
- Bead won’t fit: Use beads with bigger holes. A DK loop needs at least 2.5 mm.
- Strand twists: Make sure each connector goes into the exact top tip. An off-center join turns the motif below.
- Strands are different lengths: Measure each motif, and reblock any that are off before rejoining.
- Tassel looks thin: Wrap 50 times instead of 40.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, roll in a towel, and dry flat or hanging. Don’t tumble dry, because the beads and long strands can tangle.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is short and reliable. A 2 in (5.1 cm) center gives a 2.75 in (7.0 cm) medallion and a 4.75 in (12.1 cm) diamond. Twelve motifs and eleven 1 in (2.5 cm) connectors make a 56 in (142.2 cm) strand, and the tab and tassel bring it to 63 in (160.0 cm). Eleven strands spaced 4 in (10.2 cm) apart cover 44.75 in (113.7 cm). Check your gauge early and work every connector the same way, and the curtain will hang evenly in the light.
Happy crocheting!