Filet Crochet for Beginners: Pictures Made of Mesh and Blocks

The two building blocks

• Open square (mesh): dc, ch 2, skip 2 stitches, dc. The chain-2 leaves a hole.
• Filled square (block): dc, 2 dc (into the 2 stitches or the ch-2 space), dc. Solid.

Each square is 3 stitches wide plus a shared edge dc, so a row of 10 squares has 31 stitches.

Practice swatch: a 10-square mesh with a block border

1. Row 1 (all mesh): Ch 35. Dc in the 8th ch from the hook. *Ch 2, skip 2 ch, dc in the next ch*; repeat to the end. (10 open squares)
2. Row 2 (blocks at the ends): Ch 3 (counts as a dc), turn. 2 dc in the first ch-2 space, dc in the next dc — one block. *Ch 2, dc in the next dc*; repeat 8 times for 8 open squares. For the last square, work 2 dc in the space made by the starting chains, then dc in the 3rd ch of the starting chain — one block. (1 block, 8 open, 1 block)
3. Row 3 (all mesh): Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), turn. Skip the first 3 sts, dc in the next dc. *Ch 2, skip 2, dc in the next dc*; repeat across, ending with a dc in the top of the turning chain. (10 open squares)
4. Rows 4–10: Alternate Rows 2 and 3, or fill any squares you like to draw a shape.

How to read a filet chart

• Each square on the chart is one filet square: blank = open mesh, filled = block.
• Read Row 1 from right to left, Row 2 from left to right, and so on — you're turning at the end of each row.
• Charts can be drawn on any graph paper, or with a free online grid tool. Simple pixel art and cross-stitch charts work as filet charts.

What to make with filet crochet

• Tops and cover-ups: filet panels make airy summer tops — see our crochet top.
• Bags: filet market bags — like our mesh market bag.
• Curtains, table runners and pillow panels with names or initials.
• Bookmarks — a narrow filet strip with a heart.

Common questions

What thread is used for traditional filet?

Mercerised cotton crochet thread, sizes 10 to 30, with a 1–1.75 mm steel hook. Beginners should start with DK or worsted cotton to see the squares clearly.

Why are my squares not square?

Double crochets are taller than they are wide. Use a slightly smaller hook, keep the dc short, and block the finished piece into shape with pins.

Is filet crochet the same as mesh stitch?

Filet uses the mesh stitch as its background; filet crochet specifically means adding solid blocks to the mesh to form a picture.

What would you draw first in filet — a heart, your initials, a flower? 🤍