On this page you will find complete instructions on how to read the Filet Crochet patterns along with diagrams on how to make the crochet stitches.
Lets start with a simple demo pattern.
Pattern Symbols In this pattern there are several symbols. A breakdown of those symbols is displayed below:
Make sure you can find these symbols in the pattern above.
Basic Filet Crochet Stitches Each one of the symbols displayed above can be further broken down into a set of basic Filet Crochet stitches. A breakdown of the stitch symbols and their names is displayed below.
Now here is how it all works together
Putting it Together Each solid square, Solid Filet Crochet, is equal to 4 double crochets. Each open square, Open Filet Crochet is equal to 1 double crochet, followed by 2 chains, followed by 1 double crochet. See diagrams below:
Now when you put two squares together, the double crochet at the end of each square also counts as the first crochet of the next square. For example, a solid square followed by an open square is 4 double crochets, 2 chains, 1 double crochet. See diagram below:
Two open squares is equal to 1 double crochet followed by 2 chains followed by 1 double crochet followed by 2 chains followed by 1 double crochet. See diagram below:
One long open square is equal to 1 double crochet followed by 5 chains followed by 1 double crochet. See diagram below (note that this symbol does not exist in our demo pattern):
To make the symbol below (Set of Filet Crochet stitches that make up 4 squares) follow these instructions. On the first row, create 1 double crochet followed by three chains. Then create a single crochet in the row below (shown by the x symbol), followed by three more chain stitches and 1 double crochet in the 5th stitch from the starting stitch. On the next row, make 1 double crochet, 5 chains, 1 double crochet. See diagram below:
The popcorn stitch is made up of 5 double crochets looped together.
Now all you need to do is learn how to create each of the basic stitches:
How to Create the Basic Filet Crochet Stitches The first stitch to learn is the chain stitch. Follow the steps below to learn how to make a chain stitch.
When you start a pattern, the first thing the pattern instructions tell you is how many chains to make for the bottom row. For our demo pattern chain 127.
The next stitch to learn is the single crochet. Follow these steps to learn how to make it.
The next stitch is the double crochet. Again follow the steps below to learn how to make it.
There is one special stitch in our pattern and that is the popcorn stitch. The popcorn stitch is made up of 5 double crochets. Follow the steps below to learn how to make it.
Now after you have chained 127, chain 3 to turn which counts as the first double crochet in the first row. Double crochet in the 5th chain from hook. Double crochet in the next two chains to complete bottom right solid square of the pattern. Continue following pattern for first row reading pattern right to left. After completing first row, chain 3 to turn to start next row. Continue following pattern till all rows are complete. At end of row 42 fasten off.
You have completed our demo pattern. Congratulations!