Have you ever crocheted anything using the filet technique? With this craft technique, you can create beautifully detailed crochet work using open and closed squares. In this blog post, we’ll tell you more about this technique and show you some beautiful projects made with filet crochet. Keep reading!
What is filet crochet, and how does it work?
Do you remember those little curtains from back in the day? Or have you perhaps ever seen a pretty crocheted tablecloth with an openwork pattern? Chances are, these were made using the filet crochet technique! This technique was widely used in the past for everything from decorative curtains, tablecloths, and coasters to large bedspreads. These days, filet crochet is totally back in style!
Filet crochet is a crochet technique that uses open and closed stitches to create a detailed pattern. This technique is used to form images or designs by alternately crocheting open blocks and closed blocks. In most filet crochet projects, you use groups of double crochets for the closed blocks and chains of chain stitches for the open blocks.
A filet crochet pattern therefore often includes a stitch count chart or crochet diagram, showing open squares and closed squares. The closed squares consist of multiple double crochets, while the open squares consist of a chain of chain stitches. The legend or list of stitches used indicates how many double crochets and chain stitches you need to crochet per square.
Tip: You can also use this technique to easily design something yourself—for example, by coloring beautiful patterns on graph paper. These can be anything from geometric shapes to floral patterns and even images of animals.
Of course, there are also existing patterns you can use to get started, such as a beautiful bedspread, a trendy tablecloth, or a stylish top.
What kinds of yarn do you use for filet crochet?
You can crochet filet with any type of yarn. We find that your crochet work looks best when you use a smoother yarn, such as Cotton, a Cotton-Acrylic Mix, or Acrylic yarn. Filet crochet looks its best when you choose a yarn thickness of up to 3 mm. When choosing the color of your filet crochet yarn, consider the surface or background against which you’ll be displaying your project. For example, dark colors look great on a light-colored dining table for a tablecloth, while curtains look especially beautiful in a light shade made from a soft, supple yarn. Also, make sure you use the right Crochet Hook for your yarn. Below, you’ll find our favorite yarns for filet crochet.
Helpful tips for filet crochet:
Have you chosen the pattern and yarns? Then let's get started! Below are a few more helpful Tips.
- Is this technique new to you? If so, start with a smaller project.
- Be sure to go over your Crochet Pattern carefully before you start.
- In filet crochet, you turn your work after every round. The odd rounds in a filet crochet pattern are read from right to left, and the even rounds from left to right.
- Check off each row of your pattern as you go. That way, you'll know exactly where you left off.
- Does your filet crochet project consist of pattern repeats? If so, it might be helpful to use a set of Stitch Markers.
Get inspired by our favorite filet crochet projects
Are you feeling inspired and ready to get started right away? Then order one of our ready-to-crochet Crochet Kits!
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