My visit to the Iowa Sate Fair always includes a visit to Fabrics and Threads to see the crochet exhibit. This 2024 display was devoted to filet crochet and provides some wonderful examples.
I recently added a filet crochet section to my beginning course because It uses just two stitches – double crochet and chain stitch.
The bottom photo uses increases and decreases as an edging on each side and is mounted on a dark background; the one above it to the left has an edging.
The only challenge with filet crochet is that is it most often uses thread and a smaller hook, which is a little trickier than a thicker yarn and larger hook. This type of crochet can use a graph as a pattern to create pictures and letters. The base grid is formed with one or more double crochet(s) followed by one or more chain(s), leaving an open space. The design is created by filling the space with double crochets.
.Although these designs are most often done from a graph, written instructions would be similar to below::
Basic Mesh:
Abbreviations:
Double crochet = dc
Chain = ch
Skip = sk (sometimes, you will see skip abbreviated as sk)
To begin a row chain ch 4 (3 chains counts as a dc and one chain is the ch 1 sp). Skip next sp.
1 dc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 ch, repeat
dc in last last stich
This is a pattern shown in a grid.
Each Light Square = Dc, ch 1
Each Dark Square= 2 dc
18 stitches = 1 row
9 Rows
There are a number of filet designs and letters out on the Internet, and you can even make your own designs to crochet using graph paper!
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