Filet Crochet 

By: Janna Halioris

Filet Crochet - Easy and Interesting and particularly Suited for Cafe-Curtains, Pillow Covers and Doilies. 

A filet crochet is also known as a handicraft needlework that is created by using hooks. It is patterned on a simple graph or crochet outline. Although the patterns may look difficult, filet crochet is actually very simple to learn. It is a technique of filled mesh against a background of open mesh, which will create beautiful patterns.  

From a chain of multiple crochet chain stitches you can form a square pattern. Filet crochet consists of two kinds of meshes: filled and open. Different methods of working filled and open meshed are used, however the following the most popular method: 

Filled mesh – 3 double crochet (3dc) 

Open mesh – double crochet, chain 2 (dc, ch2) 

Filet crochet is easy, but detailed work to do. The design is created by filled mesh against a background of open mesh.  

Filet crochet is mostly done in rows with the use of a smooth cotton thread. The finer the cotton and the hook the more delicate the pattern will be.   

Simple cross-stitch embroidery patterns can be used for filet crochet patterns.  These patterns can easily be converted to different filet crochet designs by making the solid area of the cross-stitch pattern the filled mesh area and allowing the open cross-stitch pattern as the open mesh area.  

To be more familiar on the different aspects on a filet crochet, here are some patterns and ways on how to make a perfect filet crochet using different stitches to make different blocks on the open mesh.  

You must consider the open and solid mesh patterns. The spacing should be very important to create a double stitch thread from a cross-stitch design. The squares on the solid mesh should have equal stitches to leave the open mesh a free space for the background.   

To make an open mesh, you must create two chains of double stitches, after filling out the pattern. You may skip the next two chained stitches leaving a free space for the open double crochet. Finally, you can make a double stitch in the next double crochet chains.   

To make a filet crochet on the solid mesh, you should double the crochet in the following double-chained spaces and then double chain stitch on the last double crochet.    

To begin an open mesh, you must make five double crochet chains and leave two double stitches on the sixth chain then double crochet on the next double-chained stitch.   

You must consider the solid mesh block that is patterned. You can double crochet on the next double-chained stitches or make a double crochet on the next chain space. This will result to the same design on a filet crochet pattern. 

Remember that some stitches will pattern the design to block the solid mesh to create a filet crochet. This will be an easier approach that would result to beautiful designs. The filet crochets are always complimented with good patterns on the solid and open meshes, which can be combined to produce stunning filet crochets. 

Filet crochet can be a fun and beautiful way to broaden your crochet horizons. With a little practice in reading the charts, you will become a pro at filet crochet patterns in no time at all!

For more information on crocheting visit http://www.crochetingquickguide.com