Filet Crochet
© updated 2012, 2024 Sandra Petit, http://www.crochetcabana.com
Filet crochet is one of my favorite techniques. I hope this tutorial will give you some insight into how to work with it to create wonderful projects.
First, what is filet crochet? Simply put, it is a series of blocks, some solid (filled in) or open (not filled in). A block is made using a tall stitch, generally double crochet though sometimes triple crochet is used, and chains. If you change the stitch used in your pattern, you will change the look of your picture.
If the block is open or empty it is called a mesh. If it is filled or solid, it is called a block although I have seen some sites using the term "solid mesh" and some places just say "square" or "space". Don't get hung up on terminology.
There are different ways you can create your blocks. One is by using a (dc, ch 1, sk 1, dc) which is called a 3-dc mesh, and the other is the (dc, ch 2, sk 2, dc) which is called the 4-dc mesh. They are named as such because when you fill in the mesh you will have either 3 or 4 dc in a single block.
What may or may not be immediately obvious to you is that if you have blocks next to one another, they will share sides. So in a mesh of (dc, ch 2, sk 2, dc) the ending dc is the beginning dc of the next block. Sound confusing? It seems so until you see it in practice and get used to the idea.
To fill in a block, you would work either, (dc, dc, dc, dc) in a 4-dc mesh to make a closed or solid block. You would work (dc, dc, dc) in a 3-dc mesh to make a closed or solid block.
In general, when you are crocheting, you work one row and then you turn. You do the same thing with your filet work, unless your pattern says otherwise. So when you read a filet chart, you will read from left to right sometimes, and from right to left sometimes.
If you are right-handed, the first and all ODD rows (right side or front side) are worked right to left, and the second row and all EVEN rows (wrong side or back side) are worked left to right. The foundation chain does NOT count as a row. Therefore, it is important to know what row you are on unless your design is symmetrical (the same on both sides of the center).
Let's repeat that:
ODD ROWS - read right to left
EVEN ROWS - read left to right
If you are left-handed, you will do the reverse, with odd rows left to right, even rows right to to left.
If you’d like to work an actual project, this six-video series will walk you through creating a pink ribbon square with me. This is the ribbon color for breast cancer awareness. This chart is available in the pattern section of Crochet Cabana, with the Cancer Ribbon afghan pattern.
Here is another video demonstrating filet in a single video using a picture of a fleur de lis designed by my daughter. The video only covers the first few rows but pattern chart is available in the pattern section here under Kate Smith.
Filet Fleur de lis Video Demonstration
Moving on ...
Let's say that the following table is your design. It is 7 blocks wide and 5 high.
Before you begin to work, you need to figure out your foundation chain.
But before you do that, you have to decide if you are going to work a 3-dc mesh or a 4-dc mesh. You can work any pattern in any mesh, but the design may look different depending on your choice. Besides the width of your blocks, you have to consider the height. Some pictures might work better with one or the other. If you are following a pattern, it will probably give you that information in the instructions.
You will work from bottom to top on most things. You CAN work in any direction you want, but of course if you start at the top your stitches will be upside down. If you work from the side, your stitches will also form in a different direction. This will probably not matter to the casual viewer as long as you can tell what the picture is.
Looking at the design above (which is a symmetrical design), if we are working it in 3-dc mesh you might think 7 x 3 = 21. So I would chain 21, right? Wrong. Remember that each box shares a side. Fine. Let's multiply 7 x 2. 14. That will do it, right? Wrong again. You forgot the first post of the first mesh or block. Every mesh has 2 posts or dcs for itself and shares one. So you have the right idea with the 2. But when you get to the first one, you need to account for that last side with your beginning chains. Then, if your first block is going to be an open mesh, you also need an extra 1 for the top chain.
So to figure your foundation chain:
7 x 2 + tch (3 if solid, 4 if open) = 17, 18 (go into the 4th chain for a closed block, and 6th chain for an open mesh)
You can also look at it as 7 x 2 + tch3 + 1 for the top if you're working open mesh = 18
CHART
Here is a picture of the first row for the project above.
To detail it, chains 18, 17, and 16 would make up a mesh. But #16 is also part of the next mesh. So 16, 15, and 14 make up a mesh and so on.
Block 7 - 18, 17, 16
Block 6 - 16, 15, 14
Block 5 - 14, 13, 12
Block 4 - closed block, 12, 11, 10
Block 3 - 10, 9, 8
Block 2 - 8, 7, 6
Block 1 - 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (1 and 5 are the top and bottom of your open mesh, 2, 3 and 4 make up the first "dc" of the mesh)
Let's look at a 4-dc mesh. We've already gone through the process above, so you know that 7 x 4 is wrong because each box shares a side. 7 x 3 is also wrong because of the first post needed to complete the first open mesh. Every block or mesh has 3 stitches for itself and shares an additional one, plus you have extra stitches at the top and bottom of the mesh.
So to figure your foundation chain:
7 x 3 + tch (3 if solid, 5 if open) = 24 or 26, (go into the 4th chain for a closed block, and 8th chain for an open mesh)
You could look at this also as 7 x 3 + tch3 + 2 (for your top chains if it is open).
As noted, for the 4-dc mesh, with open mesh as your first block, ch 26, dc in 8th chain from hook. Why do I want you to go into the 8th chain from the hook? You need an open block. So your end stitch has to have 2 chains on the bottom, 2 chains on the top, and a post to the right made up of 3 chains to act as your first dc. That's 7. You're going INTO the 8th chain, so that leaves 7. Understand? No? Hopefully, if you don't get it yet, you will after you make it. So chain 26. Go into the 8th chain from hook.
It is just a coincidence that there are 7 blocks on this row and also 7 chains on the first mesh. Don't get hung up on that. Note: If you normally work a ch-2 for your turning chains in double crochet, you might want to work 6 chains instead of 7.
Another important point is to keep in mind the materials you are using. If you are using fine crochet thread your piece will be small. But if you make that same design using worsted weight yarn, it will be much larger. I'm saying MUCH larger. For example, a pattern might say to ch 73. It would also normally give a hook size and suggested yarn or thread.
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