Filet Crochet – The Basics 4

Practising filet crochet Type II

This is Part 4 of my Filet Crochet Basics series.

Here, you’ll find the same small filet pattern as in Part 3 but worked in Type II filet crochet (2-stitch construction), also known as 3-dc mesh. To practise this technique, a chart with traditional crochet symbols and written instructions help to understand how to translate the filet grid.

If you missed Part 2 of the tutorial, it’s best to start there for a clearer understanding of the following explanations, especially the different way of counting the stitches. If you are completely new to filet crochet, please start with Part 1.

For more information on Type I filet crochet (3-stitch construction), also known as 4-dc mesh, please return to Part 3.

Type II – Filet crochet worked over 2 stitches / 2-stitch construction

This type of filet crochet follows the same basics as the Type I variant, worked over 3 stitches. You will also find it described as 3-dc mesh. Again, please remember the different counting with 3-dc mesh.

The filet crochet grid on Chart 6, is exactly the same as the one on Chart 5. The only difference to Type I filet crochet is that each square of the grid pattern represents only 2 stitches.

Characteristics of the 2-stitch construction

• Basics
  • A filled square in the pattern grid is equal to 2 double crochets.
  • An open square in the pattern grid is equal to 1 double crochet and 1 chain.
  • Each row ends with a closing double crochet.
  • The stitch count is a multiple of 2 stitches per square in the grid plus 1 closing stitch.
• Calculating the foundation chain
  • The required number of base chains is calculated by:
    • number of squares × 2 stitches per square + 1 stitch + turning chains
• Calculating the turning chains
  • At the beginning of each row, the first double crochet is replaced by turning chains:
    • If the row begins with a filled square, chain 3 to replace the first double crochet.
    • If the row begins with an open square, chain 4 to replace the first double crochet and the next open space.

Example of a 2-stitch construction

The filet pattern grid shown on Chart 6 has

• 7 squares in width
  • the stitch count is 7 x 2 +1 = 15 stitches
• 7 squares in height
  • the pattern is worked over 7 rows
• As the first square in row 1 is a closed square, the base chain requires 15 chains plus 3 chains to replace the first double crochet.

Again, the pattern on Chart 6 is also displayed in classic crochet symbols, and the first filled square in row 1 and the first 3 squares in row 2 are outlined.

How the sample in 2-stitch construction would read as written pattern

The pattern grid translates as follows in written instructions

Abbreviations

• Abbreviations
  • dc — double crochet
  • ch(s) — chain((s)
  • st(s) — stitch(es)
  • sp(s) — space(s)
• (  ) — repeat as many times as instructed

• Row 1
  • chain 15
  • chain another 3 [to replace the first dc]
  • dc in 5th chain from the hook [the first 2 dc are worked – this is equal to the first square in row 1, outlined in the diagram on Chart 6]
  • (1 dc in each of the next 2 chains) 6 times [2 dc for each of the remaining 6 grid squares]
  • dc in last chain [the closing dc]
  • turn
• Stitch count: 15 dc

continue with the written pattern

• Row 2
  • chain 3, (as first dc), dc in next st [the first filled square of row 2, outlined in the diagram on Chart 6]
  • (dc in next st, ch1, skip 1 st) 5 times [5 open squares in row 2]
  • dc in next 2 sts  [the last filled square of row 2]
  • dc in last st (top of the starting ch 3) [the closing stitch]
  • turn
• Sticht count: 10 dc, 5 ch1-sps

• Row 3
  • chain 3 (as first dc), dc in next st [first filled square]
  • (dc in next st, ch1, skip 1 st) 2 times  [two open squares]
  • dc in next st, 1 dc in ch1-sp [one filled square]
  • (dc in next st, ch1, skip 1 st) 2 times [two open squares]
  • 1 dc in each of the next 2 sts [last filled square]
  • dc in last st [closing stitch]
  • turn
• Stitch count: 11 dc, 4 ch1-sps

• Row 4
  • chain 3 (as first dc), dc in next st [first filled square]
  • dc in next st, ch1, skip 1 st  [one open square]
  • (dc in next 2 sts) 3 times [three filled squares]
  • dc in next st, ch1, skip 1 st [one open square]
  • dc in next 2 sts [one filled square]
  • dc in last st [closing stitch]
  • turn
• Stitch count: 13 dc, 2 ch1-sps

• Row 5
  • repeat row 3

• Row 6
  • repeat row 2

• Row 7
  • chain 3 (as first dc), dc in next st [first filled square]
  • (dc in next 2 sts) 6 times [six filled squares]
  • dc in last stitch [closing stitch]
  • fasten off
• Stitch count: 15 dc

Ready to continue?

Continue with Part 5, the last part of the Filet Crochet Basics series.

In Part 5, you’ll find some tips and tricks on adjusting the stitch height, suitable yarns and finishing your work. You’ll also find some more free filet grids there, which you can use to practise the techniques you learnt in Parts 3 and 4.