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How To Filet Crochet

  • Writer: Andrea Peterson
    Andrea Peterson
  • Apr 10
  • 5 min read

Hey There!


Today I wanted to talk about Filet Crochet. It is a perfect technique for the Spring and Summer. This technique creates a mesh fabric that often features a design either in a positive or negative aspect image. I personally like the positive aspect images best, they really remind me of Hardanger which is so pretty. Filet crochet is also great for creating those images or patterns that you can't see as well in a single color. So, no need to color change!


The patterns are typically accompanied by a chart that will depict the image or pattern that will be made. These charts are in black and white. The foundation of Filet crochet is not necessarily as straight forward as you might think.


There are two methods of Filet crochet. 3 Double Crochet (Dc) and 4 Dc Filet crochet. This refers to the number of Dc that make up each block of solid stitches. In the 3 Dc version a black block will be made up of 3 Dc while in the 4 Dc version each black block is made up of 4 Dc. The reason these can be confusing is that each block will share a stitch in both versions. There is only one Dc per stitch there is no increasing within the rows or rounds. So when working in rows it is necessary to account for an edge stitch in order to simplify working up a row. There will only be one edge stitch which can be at the beginning of the row or at the end. Taking the edge stitch into account means you can think of each black block symbolizing 2 Dcs for the 3 Dc Filet or 3 Dcs for the 4 Dc version.


For me having that edging stitch at the beginning of the row makes the most sense. The edge stitch can be a Turning Chain, [Ch 2, Dc] in same stitch, or an Alternative Turning Chain (Stacked Single crochet stitch). I prefer to use the Alternative Turning Chain I think it looks the best. I really am not a fan of a turning chain.




The written instructions for the Hi image in the 3 Dc version would be as follows:

  • Ch 20 - to figure out the number of chains take the number of columns and multiple by 2, add 1 for the edge, and 1 for the Alternative Turning Chain

  • Row 1: In the 2nd Ch from the hook Alternative Turning Chain (ATC), (Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc) x 9, turn (19)

  • Row 2: ATC, (Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc) x 9, turn

  • Row 3: ATC, Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc, (2 Dc, Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc) x 4, turn

  • Row 4: ATC, (Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc) twice, 2 Dc, (Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc) x 3, 2 Dc, (Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc) twice, turn

  • Row 5: Repeat Row 3

  • Row 6-7: Repeat Row 2

  • Row 8: ATC, (Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc) x 7, 2 Dc, Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc, turn

  • Row 9: ATC, (Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc) x 3, (2 Dc, Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc) x 3, turn

  • Row 10: ATC, Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc, 6 Dc, (Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc, 2 Dc) x 2, Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc, turn

  • Row 11-12: ATC, (Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc, 2 Dc) x 4, Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc, turn

  • Row 13 - 14: Repeat Row 2


The written instructions for the Hi image in the 4 Dc version would be as follows:

  • Ch 29 - to figure out the number of chains take the number of columns and multiple by 3, add 1 for the edge, and 1 for the Alternative Turning Chain

  • Row 1: In the 2nd Ch from the hook Alternative Turning Chain (ATC), (Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc) x 9, turn (28)

  • Row 2: ATC, (Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc) x 9, turn

  • Row 3: ATC, Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc, (3 Dc, Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc) x 4, turn

  • Row 4: ATC, (Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc) twice, 3 Dc, (Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc) x 3, 3 Dc, (Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc) twice, turn

  • Row 5: Repeat Row 3

  • Row 6-7: Repeat Row 2

  • Row 8: ATC, (Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc) x 7, 3 Dc, Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc, turn

  • Row 9: ATC, (Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc) x 3, (3 Dc, Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc) x 3, turn

  • Row 10: ATC, Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc, 9 Dc, (Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc, 3 Dc) x 2, Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc, turn

  • Row 11-12: ATC, (Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc, 3 Dc) x 4, Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc, turn

  • Row 13 - 14: Repeat Row 2


The written instructions for the Smiley Face image in the 3 Dc version would be as follows:

  • Ch 20 - to figure out the number of chains take the number of columns and multiple by 2, add 1 for the edge, and 1 for the Alternative Turning Chain

  • Row 1: In the 2nd Ch from the hook Alternative Turning Chain (ATC), 18 Dc, turn (19)

  • Row 2: ATC, 18 Dc, turn

  • Row 3: ATC, 6 Dc, (Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc) x 3, 6 Dc, turn

  • Row 4: ATC, 4 Dc, Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc, 6 Dc, Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc, 4 Dc, turn

  • Row 5: ATC, 2 Dc, Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc, 10 Dc, Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc, 2 Dc, turn

  • Row 6: ATC, 2 Dc, (Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc) x 7, 2 Dc, turn

  • Row 7 - 9: Repeat Row 2

  • Row 10: ATC, (2 Dc, [Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc] x 3) twice, 2 Dc, turn

  • Row 11: ATC, (2 Dc, Ch 1, Sk 1, 1 Dc) x 4, 2 Dc, turn

  • Row 12: Repeat Row 10

  • Row 13 - 14: Repeat Row 2

3Dc Version in a Positive Aspect Image
3Dc Version in a Positive Aspect Image

The written instructions for the Smiley Face image in the 4 Dc version would be as follows:

  • Ch 29 - to figure out the number of chains take the number of columns and multiple by 3, add 1 for the edge, and 1 for the Alternative Turning Chain

  • Row 1: In the 2nd Ch from the hook Alternative Turning Chain (ATC), 27 Dc, turn (28)

  • Row 2: ATC, 27 Dc, turn

  • Row 3: ATC, 9 Dc, (Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc) x 3, 9 Dc, turn

  • Row 4: ATC, 6 Dc, Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc, 9 Dc, Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc, 6 Dc, turn

  • Row 5: ATC, 3 Dc, Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc, 15 Dc, Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc, 3 Dc, turn

  • Row 6: ATC, 3 Dc, (Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc) x 7, 3 Dc, turn

  • Row 7 - 9: Repeat Row 2

  • Row 10: ATC, (3 Dc, [Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc] x 3) twice, 3 Dc, turn

  • Row 11: ATC, (3 Dc, Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Dc) x 4, 3 Dc, turn

  • Row 12: Repeat Row 10

  • Row 13 - 14: Repeat Row 2

4Dc Version As a Negative Image
4Dc Version As a Negative Image

Happy Hooking!

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