Filet Crochet – The Basics

Last updated: 27 August 2026

A little note before we begin:
I have split this tutorial into five parts to make it easier to follow. Each part covers a different step in understanding and practising filet crochet. You can find the complete series here:

Do you know filet crochet?

Filet crochet is a classic crochet technique in which the patterns are created from open and filled squares. The designs are usually worked from a grid chart and translated into double crochet (US terms) and chain stitches.

At first glance, filet crochet looks simple — but many beginners find the stitch counting confusing. I remember feeling exactly the same when I first tried it years ago. The charts were clear, yet the explanations didn’t quite make sense.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to read a filet crochet chart, how to calculate your stitch count, and why the same grid can be counted in two different ways.

Once you understand the logic behind the squares, filet crochet becomes surprisingly straightforward — and a wonderful technique for shawls, table runners, garments, and many other projects.

Filet designs and patterns

Filet crochet includes several variations. Besides the two structural types discussed here, there are decorative forms such as lacet (fancy filet), shell filet, or bouclé filet. In addition, shapes can be created by increasing or decreasing stitches, which further expands the design possibilities.

In this article, I will focus on the two basic structural types, as they are the most widely used. They are usually known as 4-dc mesh and 3-dc mesh.

I’ll refer to them as Type I filet crochet and Type II filet crochet. I made this distinction because in this tutorial I’ll show a different way of looking at a filet pattern. It differs from the traditional explanations in particular with regard to counting the stitches. Nevertheless the result will be the same.

US terminology is used throughout.

Filet crochet designs

Classic filet crochet designs are created through filled and open sections, also known as filled (solid) and open mesh. The closed sections typically represent the pattern’s motif or design and are made with double crochet stitches. Chain stitches form the open, net-like structures.

Filet crochet charts

Unlike standard crochet patterns, filet patterns are usually presented as grid charts rather than written instructions.

The filled spaces are either coloured or marked with a symbol such as an X or cross. They form the motifs that later appear as solid areas in the finished fabric.

How to read a filet crochet chart

Reading directions

Unless otherwise specified in the pattern, the chart is read

• from bottom to top.
• As filet crochet is worked back and forth in rows, a right-handed crocheter should start in the lower right corner and read
  • odd rows from right to left and
  • even rows from left to right.
• A left-handed crocheter follows the chart in reverse. In case the design is not symmetrical, it can be mirrored first.

Reading the charts

The precise translation of a filet crochet chart depends largely on the filet type specified in the pattern. But it always follows the same basic principles:

• Each square in the pattern grid stands for a certain number of stitches.
• The exact number of stitches per square depends on the filet type used, but remains constant throughout the entire pattern.
• Filled squares stand for double crochet stitches.
• Open squares (often easier to think of as “empty” squares when looking at a chart) stand for a double crochet stitch and a specific number of chains.

Ready to continue?

Continue with Part 2 of the Filet Crochet Basics tutorial . There you will learn that there are different ways of looking at a filet crochet grid and counting the stitches – both leading to the same result.