The Dappled Sunlight Window Valance: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Boho-Modern Curtain Topper

Bring the Sunshine In: Crochet the Dappled Sunlight Window Valance

Transform your kitchen or living room window with this unique crochet valance, featuring a mesmerizing pattern of interlocking sunbursts and delicate picot edging. It's a soft, airy, and beautifully textured piece that filters light like dappled sunshine. This boho-modern curtain topper is surprisingly beginner-friendly once you master the simple sunburst motif. Let's get started!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. The exact gauge is not critical, but consistency is important for a uniform look.

• Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (DK weight, 100% mercerized cotton) in 3 colors:
  • Color A (Cream): Approximately 200 yards
  • Color B (Saffron): Approximately 200 yards
  • Color C (Terracotta): Approximately 200 yards
• Hook: US Size E/4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook
• Other: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers (optional), curtain rod or tension rod (for hanging)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Notes: This valance is constructed from a series of 6 identical Sunburst Motifs, joined together in a row. The top edge is finished with a simple sc border and button loops, while the bottom edge features a delicate picot scallop. The finished valance measures approximately 36 inches wide by 12 inches tall (adjustable by adding or removing motifs).

Sunburst Motif (Make 6)

Each motif is worked in the round. Follow these rounds carefully for each of the 6 motifs.

Round 1: Center Circle

With Color A (Cream), make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 11 dc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-3. You should have 12 dc in total.

Round 2: First Chain Loops

Ch 1, sc in the same st. *Ch 5, skip next dc, sc in next dc.* Repeat from * around, ending with ch 5. Join with a sl st to the first sc. You will have 6 ch-5 loops.

Round 3: First Petal Layer (Cream)

Sl st into the first ch-5 loop. Ch 1, (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in the same loop. *In next ch-5 loop, work (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc).* Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off Color A. You now have 6 petals.

Round 4: Second Layer Base (Saffron)

Join Color B (Saffron) with a sl st in the center dc of any petal. Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st. *Ch 2, skip next 2 sts (hdc, sc), sc in next sc (between petals), ch 2, skip next 2 sts (sc, hdc), 2 dc in center dc of next petal.* Repeat from * around, ending with ch 2, skip last 2 sts, sc in next sc, ch 2. Join with a sl st to the top of ch-3. Fasten off Color B. You will have 6 sets of 2-dc clusters.

Round 5: Chain Loop Ring (Terracotta)

Join Color C (Terracotta) with a sl st in any ch-2 space. Ch 1, sc in same space. *Ch 3, sc in next ch-2 space, ch 3, sc in the space between the 2-dc clusters (the space between the two dc from Round 4), ch 3, sc in next ch-2 space.* Repeat from * around, ending with ch 3. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off Color C. You will have 18 ch-3 loops.

Round 6: Outer Petal Layer (Cream)

Join Color A (Cream) with a sl st in any ch-3 loop. Ch 1, (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in the same loop. *In next ch-3 loop, work (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc).* Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off. You will have 18 small petals.

Joining the Motifs

Arrange the 6 motifs in a row. With Color A (Cream), join them by whip stitching the petals together on the wrong side, matching the center of each petal. Leave a small opening at the top and bottom of each join for a lacy effect.

Top Edge Border

This creates a neat finish and the button loops for hanging.

Row 1: Sc Base

With right side facing, join Color A (Cream) with sc in the top right corner of the first motif. Sc evenly across the top edge of all motifs, working 2 sc in each ch-3 loop and 1 sc in each join. Turn. You should have approximately 60 sc.

Row 2: Sc Row

Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Turn.

Row 3: Button Loop Row

Ch 1, sc in first 3 sc. *Ch 8, skip 2 sc, sc in next 8 sc.* Repeat from * across, ending with sc in last 3 sc. Fasten off. This creates loops for a curtain rod or buttons.

Bottom Edge Picot Scallop

This adds the delicate, lacy finish.

With right side facing, join Color A (Cream) with sc in the bottom right corner of the first motif. *Ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), sc in next ch-3 loop of motif.* Repeat from * across the bottom edge of all motifs. Fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in all ends with a yarn needle. Block the valance gently to open up the lace pattern. Slide onto a curtain rod or attach to a tension rod using the button loops.

Enjoy your beautiful, handcrafted Dappled Sunlight Window Valance! It will add a warm, textured, and artistic touch to any room.