Spice Stripe Granny Square Cafe Curtain Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This Spice Stripe Granny Square Cafe Curtain is the perfect weekend project for anyone who has just learned the classic granny square and wants to turn it into something they can actually hang in a window. It is a narrow, flat panel built from 18 squares in warm paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom and clove tones, joined with dark slip-stitch seams that draw a crisp grid over the stripes. Because it is worked in super bulky chenille plush yarn, the finished curtain is thick, soft and fuzzy — it filters light gently and feels wonderfully cozy against a farmhouse or cottage window. Small crocheted loops along the top let you slip it onto a cafe rod in seconds, and the whole panel measures just 24" wide by 20" tall, so it is a quick, satisfying make.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Super bulky (weight 6) chenille plush yarn, 100% polyester, approx 80 yds per 100 g skein:
  • Color A (Paprika): 200 yds
  • Color B (Turmeric): 160 yds
  • Color C (Cinnamon): 160 yds
  • Color D (Cardamom): 120 yds
  • Color E (Clove): 80 yds
• Hook: 8.0 mm (US L-11)
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, rust-proof blocking pins and a blocking mat
• Finished size: Width 24" (61 cm), height 20" (51 cm) including hanging loops; each square 4" x 4" (10 cm x 10 cm) after blocking

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: wrap the yarn over the hook and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert the hook, yarn over, and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook at once.
• sc — single crochet: insert the hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert the hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
• sp — space: the gap formed by a chain or chains in the previous round.
• rep — repeat.

Gauge

One finished granny square measures 4" x 4" (10 cm x 10 cm) after blocking. Work one square and block it; if it is larger than 4", go down a hook size, and if it is smaller, go up a hook size.

Tips Before You Start

• Chenille yarn sheds and can be tricky to rip out, so count your clusters at the end of every round before moving on.
• Keep your tension relaxed — chenille compresses easily, and tight stitches make the squares stiff and undersized.
• Block all 18 squares to exactly 4" x 4" before joining; even squares make the seams straight and the curtain hang flat.
• Lay the squares out in the color order below and check the arrangement before you pick up your seaming yarn.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Granny Square (make 18)

With A, ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.

R1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, [ch 2, 3 dc in ring] 3 times, ch 2, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R2: Ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp (corner made), *ch 1, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in next ch-2 sp; rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (24 dc, 4 ch-1 sps).

R3: Ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in next ch-2 sp; rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (36 dc, 8 ch-1 sps). Fasten off.

Make 6 squares with A, 6 with B, 4 with C and 2 with D. Block every square to 4" x 4".

Assembly of the Panel

Arrange the squares in 6 rows of 3 squares each, top to bottom:

Row 1: A, A, A
Row 2: B, B, B
Row 3: C, C, C
Row 4: D, D, D
Row 5: B, B, B
Row 6: A, A, A

With E, join the squares using sl st seams worked through the back loops only. Join the 3 squares of each row first, then join the 6 rows together the same way.

Hanging Loops (make 7)

With E, ch 12, join with sl st to form a ring.

R1: Sc in each ch around (12 sts).

R2: Sc in each sc around (12 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Sew the loops evenly along the top edge of the curtain, spacing them approx 3.5" apart, with the first and last loop 1" from the side edges.

Edging

With E, join yarn at the bottom right corner of the curtain.

R1: Sc evenly around the entire outer edge, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side of the panel, threading each tail through a few stitches before trimming so the fuzzy yarn holds. Gently steam or mist and pin the finished curtain to the measurements above (24" x 20" including loops) and let it dry completely flat so the seams lie straight. Once dry, slide a cafe rod through the seven loops and hang.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the stripe order to run light-to-dark for a sunset gradient, or repeat one spice color throughout for a more subtle look.
• Use a contrasting solid cotton for the seams and loops if you want the grid to stand out even more.
• Make a second panel and join the two at the center edge for a wider window, or shorten to 4 rows for a valance.