How to Crochet a Russian Veiling

A crocheted edging can be added to Russian netting to make a beautiful veil.

A Russian veil is a short wedding veil made from Russian netting. Sometimes called a birdcage veil, it can cover part or all of the bride's face. Russian netting is exceptionally thin and open with a diamond pattern and a small net at each point of the diamond. A delicate crochet border made with silk or a very fine crochet thread can be added to the bottom of the veil to make it even more beautiful.

Things You'll Need

• Crochet thread
• Silver crochet hook
• Sewing needle
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cast on enough stitches to reach across the bottom edge of the veil. The pattern will cover multiples of eight stitches, and there will be two additional stitches as a border.

2. Make a single crochet stitch into each chain for Row 1.

3. Turn the work. Chain three stitches and double crochet in the first single crochet for Row 2. Chain three stitches, skip two stitches, double crochet in the next stitch, chain two, double crochet in the next stitch, chain three, skip two stitches, double crochet in each of the next two stitches. Repeat these pattern stitches to the end of the row.

4. Turn the work and chain one stitch for Row 3. Begin the pattern by making one single crochet in the arc of the chain three, chain six, make one single crochet in the next arc of chain three, chain three, skip the next two double crochets. Repeat these pattern stitches, ending with one single crochet in the top of the chain three that began Row 2.

5. Turn the work. Chain one and make one single crochet in the arch of the chain three for Row 4. Begin the pattern by making eight double crochets in the arc of the chain six, one single crochet in the next arc of chain three (above the two double crochets). Repeat this pattern across the row ending with eight double crochets in the the last of the chain six, and one single crochet in the chain one stitch that began Row 3.

6. Turn the work. Chain three to and make one double crochet into the single crochet of Row 4 to begin Row 5. Begin the pattern by chaining four stitches and inserting the hook between the fourth and fifth double crochets in the group of eight double crochets in Row 4, and then work one single crochet, chain three, and then one single crochet all in the same place. Chain four, make two double crochets in the single crochet of the Row 4. Repeat these pattern stitches to the end of the row.

7. Knot and cut the thread. Use a sewing needle to weave the tail of the thread at the beginning and end of the crochet pattern into the edging.

Tips & Warnings

• Crocheting with fine thread is extremely labor-intensive and time-consuming.