The Art of
Filet Crochet
Filet crochet is very beautiful and delicate looking crochet. It looks like it would be difficult to do, but it’s really not. The only stitches you need to know are the double crochet and the chain stitch.
What gives this type of crochet its delicate appearance is the choice of yarn. Instead of a bulky standard yarn, you use a much smaller gauge crochet cotton. My favorite crochet cottons are Aunt Lydia’s and J&P Coats. When I’m doing this type of crochet, I use size 10 cotton and a smaller hook.
I used crochet hook size B for this.
Probably should have gone a bit smaller.
You simply graph out your design. Make sure to use something simple and small. There is a lot of crocheting involved, even in a smaller design!! Doing something very large could take a while. But since it isn’t difficult, you can definitely go any size you would like. If you are just learning, I would recommend trying something small at first.
Here is a sample filet crochet graph pattern:
To download this graph in pdf, click here.
Anything in black you are going to “fill” in. Anything left blank, you will leave “open”.
Once you have your pattern created. Count the “boxes”, double that number then add 1(if your turning row is chain 2) or 2 (if your turning row is chain 3). Do your first double crochet in the 4th (or 5th) loop from the hook. This will count as your first dc and ch 1 combination. It creates your first “box”. You are basically going to create a grid by doing double crochet/chain one combinations. Simply follow your pattern.
(If you are changing colors, you will want to pick a right side. Example: All even rows are right side and all odd rows are wrong side. Keep your tails to the back.) You will follow your pattern right to left, then left to right. If the box is empty, chain 1, skip the next stitch and double crochet in the next stitch. If the box is filled in, double crochet and do not chain 1 or skip a stitch.
Note: The finished piece of filet crochet will end up a little taller than the original pattern if you use one box per stitch. Each box on graph paper is square. One stitch by one row of double crochet is taller than it is wide. If you want to graph it exactly as it would look, use two vertical rows of graph squares for each stitch. Then remember to skip every other row of your pattern when you are crocheting.
To do the portion of the graph in red, you would:
dc, ch1, dc, dc, dc, dc, dc, dc, dc (dc 7x), ch 1, dc, dc, dc (dc 3x), ch1, dc, ch1 dc,ch 1, dc, dc, dc (dc 3x), ch 1, dc
Note: The double crochet creates the vertical lines of the graph and the “filled” in boxes.
Once you are finished, you want to block your work. That is, wet the piece, pin it to a flat surface stretched out so that it is square, and let it dry over night. You can starch it, frame it, or just use it in its flexible form.
See? It really is very simple once you get the hang of it. I encourage you to make your own patterns for your next filet crochet project.
How about making the perfect wedding gift? Chart out the couple’s last name and crochet it up. You could also add their wedding date. Block it, and put it in a nice frame. What a great, personalized, wedding gift!! They will love getting their name in filet crochet!
Not sure how to double crochet, click here
Want other patterns using same stitches as the filet crochet? Click here
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