Filet Crochet Software Tutorial

In this tutorial, you create a Filet Crochet Pattern and print both the pattern and instructions. You learn how to use most of the editing options available including cut, copy and paste.

Step 1. Start Filet Crochet

If you haven’t already, start Filet Crochet by using the left mouse button and double-clicking on the Filet Crochet Icon or select Start->Programs->Crochet. The Filet Crochet Main Window will appear displaying a pattern that is 100 rows by 100 columns. The pattern is displayed with a default zoom size of 5 and rulers based on crochet thread size 20. For your project, you will want 24 rows by 26 columns and you have decided to use crochet thread size 10.

Step 2 Resize the Pattern
To resize the pattern select Edit->Resize or the resize button . A dialog box will appear. Enter 24 for the number of rows and 26 for the number of columns. Select the OK button. The pattern will resize to 24 rows by 26 columns.

Step 3. Change the Rulers
To change the rulers to use crochet thread size 10, select Display->Thread/yarn size->Crochet thread size 10 or select the Ruler thread size 10 button . The rulers will adjust themselves.

Step 4. Zoom
To zoom in on the pattern, select Edit->Zoom …. The Zoom dialog box will appear. Select zoom size 15 and the OK button. The pattern will zoom such that each square in the pattern is 15 pixels in width.

Another way to zoom in and out of a pattern is to use the zoom in button and zoom out button. Select the zoom out button and see what happens.

Now select the zoom in button.

Step 5. Pattern Viewer
Before you start working on your pattern, you may want to display the pattern viewer. Select Display->Pattern viewer. It will display a small window that will show your complete pattern fully zoomed out. As you draw on your pattern with window will be updated.

Step 6. Draw the Frame
Now you are ready to begin editing your pattern. The first thing you want to do for this pattern is create a black frame all the way around your pattern. Select the Draw rectangles button (3rd row) in the Toolbox. This will put you in rectangle drawing mode.

Next use the left mouse button (MB1) and select the top left most square of your pattern and while MB1 is still pressed down, drag the mouse to the bottom most right square. Release MB1. A border of black squares should be displayed in your pattern.

Step 7. Draw the Pattern
Select the Draw button from the Toolbox. This will put you in drawing mode. Follow the pattern below. Use MB1 to select the black squares and MB3 (right mouse button) to unselect black squares. You can drag the mouse to select multiple squares.

Step 8. Draw other Crochet Stitches
Select from the Toolbox. Follow the pattern in step 7 to add the crochet stitches that are on the button to the upper right of your pattern.

Step 9. Resize to Repeat the Pattern
You have decided that you want to repeat your pattern several times. Resize your pattern to 48 rows by 52 columns. Zoom out of the pattern until you can see the whole pattern on the screen.

Step 10. Copy the Pattern
Select from the Toolbox. This button is next to the Draw button .

Press MB1 down to select the upper-left most square of your pattern and while MB1 is still down drag the mouse to select all of the pattern you have filled in so far. Release MB1. A box will be drawn around the area you selected. Next select the Copy button from the Toolbox. This will make a copy of the pattern. Select the Paste button from the Toolbox. This will paste the copied part of the pattern back on the pattern. Now while pressing MB1 down on the copied part of the pattern, drag the copied part over as far right as you can.

Step 11. Flip Pattern
While is still selected from the Toolbox, use MB1 and draw a box around the right half of the pattern to select it. Select button from the Toolbox to flip the right half of the pattern to face the left half.

Step 12. Move the Pattern
While is still selected from the Toolbox, use MB1 and draw a box around the top half of the pattern. Use MB1 to drag the top half of the pattern to the bottom half.

Step 13. Copy the Pattern
While is still selected from the Toolbox, use MB1 and draw a box around the bottom half of the pattern. Select to copy it and to paste it. Press the Enter key or select anywhere outside the pattern to remove the paste box.

Step 14. Finish the Pattern
While is still selected from the Toolbox, use MB1 and draw a box around the top half of the pattern. Select to flip the top half of the pattern. You have just finished your first pattern.

Step 15. View Finished Product
To view what you pattern will look like once you finished crocheting it, select Display->Finished product or select finished product button . Now that you know what it will look like go back to the pattern page Display->Pattern or select pattern button.

Step 16. Save Your Pattern
Save your pattern by selecting File->Save or the save button . The Save Asdialog box will appear. Enter File name: demo.cht and the OK button. Your pattern will be saved. Note to re-open your pattern select File->Open or open button . Select demo.cht and OK button.

Step 17. Row and Column Counter
Select Display->Row and column counter or select row and column counter button to turn on the Row and Column Counter.

Step 18. Print the Pattern
There are several options for printing. You can print your pattern such that the pattern prints completely on one sheet of paper or if you have a large pattern you can have the pattern spread over several sheets of paper. You also have the choice of printing landscape (for wide patterns) or portrait (for tall patterns).

For this pattern you have decided to use only one sheet of paper for your pattern and you have also decided to print your pattern portrait.

Select File->Printer Setup. The Print Setup dialog will appear. Note that the default selection is “single page only”. This is the option you want. Select Options button. A second Print Setup dialog will appear. Note that “portrait” is the default option for page orientation. Since this is what you want you can cancel both dialog boxes.

To print your pattern, select File->Print screen or the Print Screen button. The Print Quality dialog box will appear. Select High for high quality prints or Low for lower quality prints. High quality prints require more computer resources and takes longer to print. Select OK button. The Print dialog box will display. Select the OK button. The pattern will be sent to your default printer.

Important Note:
When printing Low Quality Prints…

To get the best possible pattern prints change the Grid color from gray to black with white spaces by selecting Display->Black grid with white spaces or . Because most non-color printers will print the color gray as a dashed line it is best NOT to print your patterns using a gray grid.

Important Note:
When printing High Quality Prints…

Best results are when the grid color is black and fill color is a light shade. Gray grid tends to print black on some printers.

Important Note:
When printing large patterns…

For really large patterns it may be best to select to print the pattern on multiple pages by selecting Print Setup under File menu and selecting Multiple Pages.

Step 19. Save Your Pattern
To save your pattern select File->Save or . The Save dialog box will display. Under Folders check that the Patterns folder is opened under Crochet folder. Enter demo.cht under File name:

Select OK button.

You can check that your file was saved by selecting File->Open or . The Open dialog box should display. You should see demo.cht in the list under File name. Select demo.cht and the OK button. The pattern you just saved should display.

Step 20. Display the Instructions
To display the instructions select Display->Instructions or the Display Instructions button.

Step 21. Print the Instructions
To print the instructions, select File->Print screen or the Print Screen button .

The Print dialog box will display. Select the OK button. The instructions will be sent to your default printer.

Step 22. Adding Edging
Filet Crochet comes with pages of sample edgings that you can add to your crochet piece to give it a finishing touch. To display the first sample page, select Display->Sample Pattern Edgings->Page 1. There are two sample edgings per page.

Look for the heading “Pattern size:”. The information here explains which size patterns will work for your pattern. Your pattern is 48 rows by 52 columns. You can use Edit->Resize on the pattern page to verify this.

Lets see how we figure out which edge samples will work for your pattern. First any pattern edge sample that says it will work for any pattern will work for this pattern. That would be pattern edge sample 1 and 5.

Now look at pattern edge sample 2. For “Pattern size:” it says total rows - 7 must be evenly divisible by 3. Same for columns. Lets try it for your pattern:

48 - 7 = 41

41 / 3 = 13.66667 which is not evenly divisible by 3

52 - 7 = 45

45 / 3 = 15 which is evenly divisible by 3

Since both rows and columns - 7 must be evenly divisible by 3, this sample edging will not work.

Turns out pattern edge sample 3 and 10 will also work for this pattern. So your choices are pattern edge sample 1, 3, 5 and 10.

To print a pattern edge sample, first display it on the screen and then select File->Print Screen.

Filet Crochet Tutorial Advanced
In this tutorial you will practice using some of the more advanced options built into Filet Crochet Software.

If you are continuing from the previous tutorial, select File->New or the newbutton . If you are starting with this tutorial, start Filet Crochet. A default new pattern will be displayed.

Step 1. Practice Shape Drawing
There are six shape drawing tools. They are line , rectangle/square , ellipse/circle , diamond , up/down triangle and left/right triangle .

Select the line button from the Toolbox and use MB1 to select a square of your pattern. Now while MB1 is still pressed down, drag the mouse to any other square on your pattern. A line is drawn from your beginning square to your end square. Now repeat the process but hold the Shift key down while you drag the mouse making your line. What happened? You should only get horizontal or vertical lines.

Repeat the process for each of the shape buttons in the Toolbox. When you hold down the shift key you should get the following:

a) Squares instead of rectangles

b) Circles instead of ellipses

c) Diamonds with equal sides

d) Triangles with equal sides

Step 2. Practice Flood Fill
Flood fill is used to fill in areas of your pattern. Select the flood fill button from the Toolbox. Select inside the square you just drew. See what happens. Your square should be filled in. Repeat the process for all your shapes.

Step 3. Practice Special Stitches
Select Edit->Clear or press the Delete key to start with a fresh pattern. Now select special stitches button from the Toolbox. Use MB1 to select a square on your pattern and while MB1 is still pressed down, drag the mouse over several square. You should get several stitches as shown on the button. Now use MB3 (right mouse button) to select one of the special stitches. It should disappear. With MB3 down, drag the mouse over several squares. As you drag the mouse over the special stitches they should disappear. Note that MB1 draws the special stitch while MB3 erases the special stitch.

Repeat the process for special stitch.

Trim is a way to remove squares from your pattern. It is mostly used to change the edge shape of your pattern so it is not square. Select Trim button. Use MB1 to remove some squares. Use MB3 to bring them back.

Step 4. Practice Letters and Numbers
Select Edit->Clear or press the Delete key to start with a fresh pattern.

Select Display->Row and column counter or select row and column counter button to turn on the Row and Column Counter.

To place letters and numbers on your pattern select Text button from the Toolbox. The Text Edit dialog box will appear. Select the Display Grid button at the bottom of the dialog box. This will display a grid in the preview area. Each square in the grid is equal to 100 squares on your pattern (1 square = 10x10 squares).

Select Font button. The Font dialog box will display with a complete list of fonts installed on your PC. Select a font. Select a font style and size. Try size 10. Now enter some text or numbers in the Enter Text field. The preview area will display the text in the font, style and size you selected. Select the OK button.

Use MB1 and drag the text to where you want it on the pattern.

Step 5. Practice Importing Clip-Art
Select Edit->Clear or press the Delete key to start with a fresh pattern. Let’s place some clip-art on a pattern. To do so bring up Microsoft Word or some other graphic program that has clip-art. In Microsoft Word, select Insert->Picture->ClipArt. Place some clipart into your word document. Now resize the clipart so it fits into about a square inch.

In Microsoft Word, select Edit->Copy. In Filet crochet, select Edit->Paste from clipboard->Overlay. Your clipart should display in Filet Crochet. Press the Enter key to remove the paste box. Notice the size is about 100x100 squares. That is because every pixel in the clipart is converted to a square in your pattern. If your clipart did not convert as well as you like try a black and white clipart instead or convert your clipart to black and white first.

Step 6. Practice Paste Transparent
If you haven’t noticed there are two paste options. Paste Overlay and Paste Transparent . Paste overlay or simply paste is used to paste where you want what is underneath to disappear. Paste transparent is used to merge what is underneath with what is on top. You have already used the paste or paste overlay. Let’s practice using the paste transparent.

Select File->Open or the open button to open the pattern you saved in the previous tutorial. Select from the Toolbox and select an area of your pattern.

Select copy button from the Toolbox. Select paste transparent button from the Toolbox. This will paste the copied part of the pattern back on the pattern. Notice that you can see through the paste box and see the pattern underneath. Now while pressing MB1 down on the copied part of the pattern, drag the copied part around. Release MB1.

What do you get? The copied part merged with the pattern.

Re-open your pattern. Select File->Open or the open button. Select the pattern from the first tutorial and select the OK button. Select No button when asked “Drawing has been changed. Do you wish to save?”.

Step 7. Practice Pen Colors, Grid Colors and Fill Styles
To change the color of filled squares, select View->Pen colors. The Colors dialog box will appear. Select a color you like and the OK button.

Change the color of the grid to black. Select Display->Black Grid. This should look better when the fill color is no longer black.

Now change the fill style. Select Fill style->X’s.

Step 8. Practice Changing Pattern Shapes
So far, you have been using the default pattern shape rectangle to create your patterns. Filet Crochet also allows you to create Diamond and Octagon shape patterns. Before you practice changing pattern shapes display the Pattern viewer by selecting View->Pattern viewer.

Clear your pattern by selecting Edit->Clear or selecting the Delete button. Now select Flood fill and select inside your pattern to fill in every square of your pattern.

Change your shape to Diamond by selecting Pattern shapes->Diamond. See what happens, your pattern is now the shape of a diamond.

Undo what you just did by selecting Edit->Undo or the Undo button.

Change your shape to Octagon 4 sides by selecting Pattern shapes->Octagon – 4 sides. See what happens, your pattern changed shape to a triangle and the pattern viewer displayed all 4 triangles.

Using Flood fill, fill in the empty sides of the triangle. See what happens in the pattern viewer.

The pattern viewer displays how your pattern would look if you completed 4 of the triangles and the crocheted them together.

Starting with a new pattern, repeat the process for Octagon - 6 sides and 8 sides. Notice for Octagon - 6 sides you will need to complete 6 of the triangles to make what is viewed in the pattern viewer and for Octagon - 8 sides you will need to complete 8 of the triangles.

Step 9. Practice Print Options
Starting with a new pattern, draw some objects on it. Select Edit->Resize or the resize button . Change your pattern size to 150 rows by 150 columns and select the OK button. Now select File->Print preview to give you and idea of what your pattern will look like when printed. Notice that it all fits on one page. With this large of a pattern you may want it to span over several pages so it will print bigger.

Select File->Print setup. The Print setup dialog box will appear. Select Multiple pages and the OK button. Select File->Print preview. Notice that your pattern now spans 4 pages. Only up to 100x100 squares are shown per page. Notice the pages are portrait. Now select the Close button to close the previewer.

Select File->Print setup again. With Multiple pages still selected in the Print setup dialog box, select the Options button. Select Landscape and OK button. Select OK in Print setup dialog box. Now select File->Print preview. What do you see? The pages are now landscape.

You have now used most of the features in Filet Crochet. You can find further information under Help->Content. Enjoy making your own patterns!


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