Crochet curtains give a window or doorway an instantly handmade, warm look. You can go for an airy, lace-like pattern that lets the light through, or a chunky cord curtain that works more like a room divider. This guide walks through the four main techniques, which yarn to choose and the practical steps from measuring to hanging, so your curtain turns out the way you pictured it.
Which crochet curtain style suits your window or door?
Before you pick up a hook, make a few choices. These questions help:
- Should the curtain let light through, or give a doorway some privacy?
- Do you want a fixed pattern with motifs, or loose strands and fringe that are easy to shorten or lengthen?
- Will it hang permanently, or do you want to take it down and wash it easily?
- Do you have a thin cotton yarn at home, or would you rather use a thick cord for quick results?
Four techniques compared
| Technique | Look | Level | Suitable yarn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filet crochet | Fine lace with a picture formed by filled and open squares | Intermediate | Thin cotton |
| Granny square curtain | Colorful, patchwork style | Beginner | Medium-weight cotton |
| Cord or macramé style | Boho, chunky and bold | Beginner | Thick cotton cord, such as Durable Braided Fine |
| Motif or flower strands | Playful, separate motifs on cords | Beginner to intermediate | Scraps in similar weights |
Filet crochet: lace with a picture
Filet crochet is built on a grid of open and filled squares. Together the filled squares form a picture: a flower, a branch, a geometric pattern. You work it with just chains and double crochet (UK: treble). An open square (mesh) is 1 dc, ch 2, skip 2 stitches, 1 dc; a filled square (block) replaces the 2 chains with 2 more dc. Because a filet pattern is a chart, you count every row. A small counting mistake often only shows a few rows later, so work from a printed chart and tick off the rows as you go. Not sure about the stitches yet? Our basic crochet stitches guide covers them.
Thin cotton gives the finest, most lace-like result. Thicker yarn works too, but the picture becomes coarser and the curtain heavier.
Granny square curtain: patchwork for your window
The squares you may know from a granny square blanket also make a great curtain. Crochet a set of squares in colors that suit your room, join them into a rectangle, and add a top row of chain loops (or thread a cord through the last round) to slide onto a rod. It's the most beginner-friendly technique here: there's no chart to count, and you can still change the size halfway by making more or fewer squares.
Cord and macramé style: fast results with thick yarn
For a boho look in less time, make long, loose strands in a thick cord. A simple chain is enough; for a firmer, rounder cord, work a row of slip stitches back along the chain. Let the strands hang side by side from a wooden rod or dowel. A recycled cotton cord worked on a 6 to 8 mm hook (US J/10 to L/11) grows fast, and its braided structure already looks a little like macramé.
Want more movement? Add a few fringes or a small tassel at regular intervals. It breaks up the pattern without you having to learn a harder stitch.
Motif or flower strands: playful and personal
The last option is a curtain of separate motifs on cords: think crochet flowers or small mandalas spread over a number of vertical strands. It's a great way to use up scraps, and you decide how many motifs go on each strand. Because the motifs hang apart, light still comes through, which makes this a nice middle ground between a solid curtain and a bare window.
Size, hanging and care
Measure the width and height of your window or doorway first, then work out how many strands, squares or motifs you need. Make a small swatch or one square, measure it, and divide. For a door curtain, add some extra width so the strands overlap slightly when you walk through. Hang it with curtain clips, rings or simply a wooden rod pushed through the top row of loops, which is easier to take down than a fixed rail.
Most cotton yarns can go in the machine on a gentle cycle, but check the label of your yarn before the first wash, and always dry the curtain flat. A wet cotton curtain is heavy and will stretch if you hang it back up to dry. Our guide on washing wool, cotton and acrylic explains why.
Frequently asked questions
How much yarn do I need for a crochet curtain?
That depends a lot on the size and how dense the pattern is. Expect several balls for an average window. Crochet one square or strand, weigh it, and multiply to estimate the total.
Which stitch is used for crochet curtains?
Filet crochet uses double crochet and chains. Granny squares use clusters of double crochet with chain spaces. A cord curtain only needs chains, with slip stitches if you want a firmer strand.
Will a crochet curtain fade in the sun?
Every yarn fades eventually in strong, direct sun. Cotton tends to fade sooner than acrylic, which holds its color well in sunlight. If you want bright colors to last, avoid a window that gets full sun all day, or choose lighter shades where fading shows less.
Does a crochet door curtain keep insects out?
No. A loose cord or strand curtain is too open to stop insects. It works well as decoration or as a light room divider.
Can I reuse a blanket or cushion pattern for a curtain?
Yes. A granny square or motif you already know from a blanket or cushion transfers easily to a curtain. Just keep it airy enough to let light through, unless you want a solid look on purpose.
Get started
Whether you go for lacy filet, a patchwork of granny squares or a quick cord curtain, start with a swatch in the yarn you have in mind. It shows you the thickness and the drape before you commit to the whole curtain, and it's the best way to estimate how much yarn you'll need.
