Diamond Door Curtain

• 4mm Cotton or Nylon Material (542 yards)
• 1 Dowel or Curtain Rod, sized to fit your doorway (or window)
• 85 Beads with holes at least 8mm in size

• Larks Head Knot
• Double Half Hitch (DHH)
• Square Knot (SK)
• Spiral Stitch

Cutting and Mounting the Cords

Cut 54 cords, each 10 yards long.  Prepare the ends with glue or wax to prevent unraveling.  Cut 2 cords, each 36 inches long, to be used as holding cords.

Step 1:  Fold each cord in half and mount it to the dowel or curtain rod.  Use Larks Head knots to attach each one.

Creating the Top Section

Step 2:  Divide the cords up into five groups as follows:

• Group 1:  Cords 1 thru 20
• Group 2:  Cords 21 thru 44
• Group 3: Cords 45 thru 64
• Group 4: Cords 65 thru 88
• Group 5: Cords 89 thru 108

This image shows the details of the designs you will be creating in each of the five groups, at the top of the Diamond Door Curtain.

Step 3:  Follow steps A thru G, using the cords in groups 1, 3, and 5 only:

A:  Mentally number the cords in the group you are working with, 1 thru 20. Tie 2 Square knots with cords 9 thru 12.  Slide a bead onto the filler cords (10 and 11).  Tie two more SK, so they rest just below the bead.

G:  The bottom half of the diamond is made in the reverse order.  So repeat step D, followed by C, B, and A. 

The first design for the Diamond Door Curtain is now complete. Repeat the process with the other two groups (3 and 5).

Step 4:  Follow the steps outlined below to make the second type of diamond design, using the strands in groups 2 and 4:

• Row 1:  Use cords 11 thru 14 to make 1 SK.
• Row 2:  The next SK should be tied with 9 thru 12 and 13 thru 16.
• Row 3:  Tie the SK with cords 7 thru 10 and with 15 thru 18.
• Row 4:  Make the next SK with cords 5 thru 8 and 17 thru 20.
• Row 5:  The SK should be tied with cords 3 thru 6 and 19 thru 22.
• Row 6:  The last SK should be made with cords 1 thru 4 and 12 thru 24.

B:  You will now reverse the process, to make the bottom half of the upper diamond.  Follow the instructions for rows 5 through 1, in that order.

C:  Repeat steps A and B, to make a second diamond design, just below the first.  You need to start with Row 2.

Repeat steps A thru C to make the same type of design, using the remaining cords (group 4). When you are finished, the upper section of the Diamond Door Curtain is complete.

Designing the Curved Section

Step 5: Take one of the 36-inch holding cords and tie a tight Barrel knot at one end.  Arrange the Diamond Door Curtain so it is vertical, and place the holding cord horizontally, on top of the long strands.  Secure the center of the holding cord so it rests just under the last SK tied in the diamond for group 3.  Curve it downward slightly, so it has a gradual arc.  Refer to the image to understand the correct shape of the holding cord.

Attach all the long strands to the holding cord with Double Half Hitches.  When you are finished, tie a tight Barrel knot in the opposite end of the holding cord, to prevent the DHH from sliding off.  Cut off any excess material from both ends of the holding cord.

Step 6: Organize the cords for the Diamond Door Curtain into 27 groups, consisting of 4 strands each. 

In the odd numbered groups, make Spiral Stitch sennits measuring 3 inches long.

In the even numbered groups, tie 1 SK.  Add a bead to the filler cords, and tie another SK.

Making the Long Beaded Fringe

Step 8: Now it’s time to make the unique beaded fringe, which gives the Diamond Door Curtain its special appearance.  Use a measuring tape, so the spacing of the rows is accurate. 

Divide the cords into groups of 4 again, mentally numbering each group 1 thru 27 (moving left to right). 

Each of the SK in the following rows should be made in sets of two (Double SK). When adding the beads, slide them over the filler cords, and push them all the way up to the knots in that row.   Tie 2 SK just below, to hold the beads in place.  Move left to right as you progress through each step. 

Here are the details as to where to place the beads in the fringe for the Diamond Door Curtain:

Row 1:  Tie 27 sets of double SK all the way across the curtain.  They should all rest 3 inches below the bar made by the DHH. Since the bar is curved, the row of knots will be, too.

Row 2:  Move down 3 inches.  Tie sets of double SK all the way across.  In the 14th group of cords, add a bead to the filler cords, and tie two more SK just below, to hold it in place.  

Row 3:  Move down 3 inches. Tie the double SK in all the groups.  Add beads to groups 13 and 15, followed by the 2 SK that holds them in place. 

Row 4:  Move down 3 inches.  Tie the double SK in all the groups.  Add the beads to groups 12 and 16.  Be sure to tie the SK after the beads. 

Row 5:  Move down 3 inches.  Tie the double SK in the groups.  Place beads on groups 11 and 17, followed by 2 SK.

Row 6:  Move down 3 inches.  Tie the double of SK as usual.  Place beads on groups 10, 14, and 18, followed by the SK. 

Row 8:  Move down 3 inches. Tie the row of double SK.   Apply bead to groups 8, 12, 16, and 20.  Tie the SK to secure them.

Row 9: Move down 3 inches.  Tie the row of double SK.  Apply beads to groups 7, 11, 17, and 21.  Don’t forget the SK that secures them.

Row 10: Move down 3 inches before tying the row of double SK. Add beads to groups 6, 10, 18, and 22.  Tie the securing SK.

Rows 11 thru 19:  Repeat the process outlined above, in reverse order, to complete bottom half of the beaded fringe. In other words, follow the instructions for row 10, 9, 8, and so on.  You’ll end with the single bead in group 14 (as in the second row).

Row 20 to completion: To finish the fringe for the Diamond Door Curtain, tie additional rows of knots without beads, so they are 3 inches apart.  Leave 5 inches unknotted at the bottom.

Finishing Touches

Step 9:  Just below the last SK in each group, tie a tight Barrel Knot using the four cords working together.  

When you are finished with all the knots, trim the bottom of the Diamond Door Curtain so it is even.  Apply glue to the tip of each cord, to help it resist unraveling.  Over time, you may need to neaten the ends and apply more glue periodically.