Filet Me a Lace

The next technique I would like to chat about is filet crochet. It is an old technique, I have found reference to it in books and magazines at least 100 years old.

The basic concept of filet crochet is that it is a mesh worked in rows back and forth. The holes in the mesh are either open or filled spaces. Filet is most commonly worked from a graph but I have seen written instructions in some older books.

For me working from a chart is something that I really like. I find it very intuitive. Another advantage is that it can give a wide variety of designs that I can make, and I can design them myself as well.

With filet crochet, I tend to make either scarves that are light and airy or market bags.

To read a filet chart and work from it, there are a few things we need to know. Each square on the chart represents three worked stitches (it can also represent two worked stitches). An open square is represented with a white square and crocheted with dc, ch 2. A filled square is represented with a black or coloured square and crocheted with dc, dc, dc. The chart is read one row at a time. The first row is read left to right and the following line right to left etc.

Now that we have a brief introduction we can get started. To make the foundation chain needs to be three times the number of squares plus five if the first square is empty or plus three if the first square is filled. Once that is done work each square on the chart.

Once the foundation row has been worked the remaining rows will be a lot more straightforward. At the beginning of each row ch 3 (this does not count as a stitch) and follow the chart once more. It is more straightforward because the mesh pattern has been established and will help keep the stitches in line and where they need to be.

Now all we have to do is keep going till the chart has been fully worked.

If that made no sense to you there is a link below to other instructions.

https://www.mybluprint.com/article/how-to-filet-crochet

Thanks for reading and I look forward to chatting with you again soon. Charlie