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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 havent 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 new button
. 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. Lets 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 havent 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. Lets 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->Xs.
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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