This is an original, step-by-step guide for a curtain made from separate flower strands. Each flower has five pointed petals; a crocheted oval link hangs from the valley between the lower petals and connects to the flower below.
The measurements are targets, not guarantees: yarn, hook, and tension all affect the final size. Make and measure a sample before making the full set.
Finished size and layout
- Curtain: approximately 48 in (122 cm) wide × 84 in (213 cm) long
- Strands: 12, hung side by side
- Flowers: 13 per strand, 156 total
- Links: 13 per strand, 156 total
- Top loops: 1 per strand
- Tassels: 1 per strand
Space the strands about 4 in (10 cm) apart, measured from centre to centre. Adjust the spacing to fit your rod and opening.
Materials
- About 1,200 yd (1,100 m) of smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn in fuchsia
- 4 mm (G-6) crochet hook; adjust if needed to match the sample size
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Stiff card, about 5 in (13 cm) tall, for the tassels
- Blocking mat and rust-proof pins
- Measuring tape and spray bottle
- Curtain rod up to about 1¼ in (3 cm) in diameter
The yarn estimate includes some extra for swatching, joining, finishing, and differences in tension. If your yarn label gives a different yardage per skein, use the total yardage as your guide.
Abbreviations
US crochet terms:
- ch — chain
- sl st — slip stitch
- sc — single crochet
- hdc — half double crochet
- dc — double crochet
- sk — skip
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- sp — space
- rnd — round
Special stitch: Petal
Work all of the following into the same ch-5 space:
sc, hdc, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, hdc, sc
The ch-2 forms the pointed tip of the petal.
Special stitch: Joined top petal
For flowers that attach to the flower above, begin the top petal this way:
Work sc, hdc, 3 dc, ch 1 into the first ch-5 space. Sl st into the midpoint of the oval link above. Ch 1, then work 3 dc, hdc, sc into the same flower space.
This makes the join at the tip of the petal. Keep the joining sl st relaxed enough that the petal tip lies flat.
Before you start: make a sample
Crochet one flower and its link, then lay it flat without stretching it. The sample gives you a useful check before you make the whole curtain.
Approximate targets:
- Centre ring: about 1 in (2.5 cm) across
- Flower: about 3½ in (9 cm) wide and 3 in (7.5 cm) tall
- Link and short stem: about 3 in (7.5 cm) long
- Flower-to-flower spacing when hanging: about 6 in (15 cm)
If the flower is too large, try a smaller hook. If it is too small, try a larger hook. If the flower is the right size but the link is too long or short, adjust the chain tension for the links while keeping your flower hook size.
Crochet a flower
Work each flower in three rounds. The top flower in a strand uses a plain Petal at the top; the other 12 flowers use the Joined top petal.
Round 1: centre ring
Ch 6 and join with a sl st into the first ch to form a ring.
Ch 1, then work 15 sc into the ring. Join with a sl st into the first sc.
Count: 15 sc.
Round 2: five petal spaces
Ch 1 and sc in the same st.
Ch 5, sk 2 sc, sc in the next sc.
Repeat from * three more times, then ch 5 and sk the final 2 sc. Join with a sl st into the first sc.
You should have five sc separated by five ch-5 spaces. The final ch-5 space ends beside the first sc, completing the circle.
Count: 5 sc and 5 ch-5 spaces.
Round 3: petals and link
Sl st into the first ch-5 space.
- Petal 1: Work a plain Petal for the first flower in a strand. For every later flower, work the Joined top petal, attaching it to the midpoint of the link above.
- Sl st into the next sc from Round 2.
- Petal 2: Work a Petal in the next ch-5 space. Sl st into the next sc.
- Petal 3: Work a Petal in the next ch-5 space. Sl st into the next sc. This is the lower valley where the link begins.
Now make the link:
- Ch 21.
- Count 18 chains back from the hook and sl st into that chain to form an oval.
- Sl st back along the first three chains toward the flower. These chains form a short stem from the valley to the oval.
Continue Round 3:
- Petal 4: Work a Petal in the next ch-5 space. Sl st into the next sc.
- Petal 5: Work a Petal in the final ch-5 space. Sl st into the first sc of Round 2.
Fasten off and weave in the end. The link should hang from the valley between Petals 3 and 4, opposite the top petal.
Flower check: You should see five petals, each with a ch-2 point, and one link hanging from the lower middle of the flower.
Join the flowers as you go
Make the first flower of a strand with a plain top petal. Its link hangs free for now.
For each following flower:
- Work Rounds 1 and 2 as above.
- Begin Round 3 in the first ch-5 space.
- Work the first half of the Joined top petal: sc, hdc, 3 dc, ch 1.
- Find the midpoint of the oval link on the flower above. Insert the hook through that point and make a sl st.
- Ch 1, then finish the petal in the same flower space: 3 dc, hdc, sc.
- Complete the remaining four petals and the new link as described in Round 3.
Before moving on, check that the new flower faces the same way as the one above and hangs straight. If the top petal puckers, loosen the joining sl st. If the flower twists, check that the join is at the centre of the oval link and that the flower is not turned over.
Make 13 flowers per strand. The link on Flower 13 remains unattached; it is used to secure the tassel.
Make all 12 strands
For each strand, make:
- 1 first flower with a plain top petal
- 12 more flowers with joined top petals
- 13 links, one worked into each flower
The finished curtain has 156 flowers and 156 links.
After making three flowers on one strand, hang it and measure from the top tip of Flower 1 to the top tip of Flower 3. A useful target is about 12 in (30 cm). If the sample is far off, adjust your tension or hook before continuing with the remaining strands.
Measure the strands as you work, rather than relying on flower count alone. Try to keep all 12 strands the same length.
Crochet a hanging loop
Make one loop at the top of every strand:
- Join yarn with a sl st into the ch-2 tip of the top petal on Flower 1.
- Ch 20 and sl st back into the same petal tip to form a ring.
- Ch 1, then work 28 sc evenly around the chain ring, crocheting around the chains rather than into individual chain stitches.
- Join with a sl st into the petal tip. Fasten off and weave in the end.
Try the loop on your curtain rod. If it is too small, make the starting chain longer and add enough sc to cover the chain smoothly. The loop should slide onto the rod without stretching the flower tip.
Add a tassel
Make one tassel for each strand:
- Wrap yarn 30 times around the 5 in (13 cm) card.
- Cut a separate length of yarn about 12 in (30 cm) long. Thread it through the top of the wraps and tie it securely.
- Pass the tie through the midpoint of the final oval link and knot it firmly.
- Cut the wrapped yarn at the opposite end of the card.
- Wrap another length of yarn around the tassel about ¾ in (2 cm) below the top knot. Tie securely and tuck the ends inside the tassel.
- Trim the tassel ends evenly to about 4½ in (11 cm) long.
If you prefer a fuller tassel, add more wraps. Make all tassels with the same number of wraps and trim them together for a consistent finish.
Block the flowers
Blocking helps the petals lie flat and the links hang neatly.
- Lay each strand on a blocking mat.
- Lightly mist the flowers until damp, not soaked.
- Pin the five petal tips into shape, keeping the centre ring open.
- Straighten the links and stems without pulling them longer.
- Let the strands dry completely before removing the pins.
- Hang them on a rod for a day so the links and tassels can settle.
Use the care method recommended for your yarn. For cotton, gentle hand washing in cool water is usually suitable; avoid wringing or pulling the wet strands.
Troubleshooting
Flowers twist sideways: Check that each new flower is attached at the midpoint of the oval link and that all flowers face the same direction.
Top petal puckers at the join: Loosen the joining sl st and the two chains beside it. The flower should lie flat when joined.
Petals curl or cup: Work more loosely into the ch-5 spaces. Blocking may help, but very tight stitches can still pull the petals inward.
Centre ring looks too small: Make the starting ch-6 ring more loosely, or try a larger hook for the flower.
Strands come out different lengths: Compare them as you work. Keep link chains consistent, and measure after every few flowers.
Loop will not fit the rod: Increase the starting chain for the loop and add enough sc to cover it without bunching.
Tassel looks too thin: Add more wraps around the card, then trim all tassels to the same length.
Final check
Before hanging, confirm that each strand has 13 flowers and 13 links, the tassel is firmly attached, and the top loop fits the rod. Lay all strands side by side to compare their lengths. Adjust the rod spacing to suit your opening.
Happy crocheting!
