The Basics of Filet Crochet

by Adelle Tilton on November 23rd, 2005

Filet Crochet is not some fancy French dish served in a very overpriced restaurant. It is a method of crochet that builds, or illustrates a picture. Using the technique of filet crochet, a person can take bedspread weight thread and a steel hook and turn a few balls of thread into an heirloom piece to be treasured by many generations to come.

Filet crochet is easy. It is easiest when it is thought of as containing only two stitches:

Chain
Double crochet (sometimes half-double or triple will be substituted but the instructions will notify you)

Think of a filet crochet project as a jigsaw puzzle. The basic difference is that the pieces are in order and you just have to line them up, one after the other. Each piece, or block, starts and ends with a double crochet. The filled pieces have two double crochets in between the two borders. The empty blocks have two chains. So the last stitch of the first block becomes the first stitch of the second block and so on. This is using the 4-stitch block method which I am familiar with and have used for years. This method is at KnittedThreads at the link below.There is also a 3-stitch method which may make more sense to some people. The instructions for that one are at Smart Crochet, at the link below. It builds on the premise that there is one double crochet beginning the block and then either two chains (empty block) or two double crochets (filled block) to complete the entire block. Then you start again. That eliminates the confusion of first stitch versus last stitch and the fact they are one in the same stitch. I have never used this method because I simply was taught the other way.

There is no right or wrong way in choosing these methods. Use the one that works the way your brain works. The only mistake you can make is like that in counted cross stitch - don’t count the squares wrong or your design will be off.

Seeing it can be easier if the words are confusing. Check out the Web site below. Smart Crochet has a whole section on learning the technique which should take you all of about ten minutes if you already know how to do the stitches. Hass Design has another illustrated guide that is very helpful - this one presents the 4 stitch method.

The only secret is to remember that in following the chart, lining up all of your little blocks (filled or empty), assuming the starting chain is NOT considered the first row, and it shouldn’t be, is:

Work the odd numbered rows right to left and the even number rows left to right.

Remember you are looking at the piece and then turning it - the pattern doesn’t move in front of you so just that simple tip can make the most exquisite tablecloth you are presenting as a wedding gift, as easy as a beginner’s project.

Hints

I find it is helpful to use a yellow highlighter to mark off the rows or blocks I have done. If I am interrupted mid-row (and who isn’t) having that marked row, can save a lot of counting.
Putting a small crochet marker on every tenth row can be a time saver as well.
Another hint is to do your starting chain and do a few extra in case you miscounted; it is a lot easier to take those few extras out than to rip it all out and start over again.
Since filet is usually done in white or off-white, be sure to wash your hands prior to working on your piece and store it in something that will not collect dust or dirt (or be used by a napping cat!)

Smart Crochet Filet Crochet Instructions - 3 Stitch Method - Illustrated

Hass Design - 4 Stitch Method - Illustrated

Photo Credit of “Crochet Me,” A Fabulous Source for Crochet Patterns
This page will take you to a detailed explanation of filet crochet plus give you a free alphabet!

Bookmark “Crochet Me” - these aren’t grandma’s crocheting patterns!!