How to Make Filet Patterns
Filet crochet or thread crochet creates a lacy and intricate pattern with crochet thread or lightweight yarn. This type of crochet uses a graph to instruct you what to do at any given point in your work. You can use a pattern designed specifically for filet crochet or you can pick up a cross-stitch pattern and use it for a filet crochet project. This kind of crochet is especially suited to making decorative valances for your windows because of the patterns you can create with your crochet hook and the thread or yarn. However, you should already have some experience in crochet before attempting this kind of pattern.
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Things You'll Need
- Filet crochet pattern
- Size D crochet hook
- Fingering weight yarn, light color
- Scissors
Instructions
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1
Look at a filet crochet graph and figure out where the "open" meshes and the "closed" meshes are. The darkened squares on the pattern are the closed meshes and the light squares are the open meshes. Begin reading your graph on the lower right side of the pattern--you'll read and crochet odd rows from the right to the left and even rows from the left to the right.
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2
Crochet a foundation chain of 20 stitches (ST) for this practice pattern. The first block is open, so double crochet (DC) in the ninth chain (CH) from your hook. Skip two CH, DC in the next CH. Repeating from this point to the end of this row, DC in the next six CH and (skip two CH. DC in next CH) twice. Turn work.
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3
CH five--this counts as one DC plus two chains. DC in next DC, CH two, DC in next DC. Repeating from this point to the end of this row, DC in next six DC then (CH two, DC in next DC) two times. End last repeat by crocheting a DC in the top of the turning chain. Turn work.
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4
Chain three and crochet two DC in CH two space and DC in next DC. Crochet two DC in CH two space and DC in next DC. Repeating from this point to the end of this row, (skip two DC, DC in next DC) twice. (Two DC in CH space, DC in next DC) twice. End last repeat with a DC in the top of the turning chain. Turn work.
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5
Compare your work with the pattern on your graph. You should have two rows of two open meshes, two closed meshes and two open meshes. For row three, look for two closed meshes, two open meshes and two closed meshes.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a crochet thread for filet crochet. You can use yarn, but make sure it's not a bulky one. You want to see open "windows" for your open meshes.
Figure out how many chains you need for your pattern by counting the number of squares across the bottom row. Multiply that result by three and add one (for turning chain). If the first square is open, add five chains to the foundation chain (CH three plus a CH two mesh). If the square is closed, add three chains that count as your first DC for that block.
