First Filet

[ManfaMae]

After seeing the segment on filet on "Knitting and Crochet Today", I'm interested in attempting filet for the first time. Can y'all recommend a good project to start off with? I've done some simple doilies before, so I have experience working with thread, but I have a 6 month old son, so I don't have much time to do something really detailed that has a lot of counting involved.

 

Thanks for your help:)

[rshseaeagle]

I recently did my first filet crochet project and was amazed at how easy it was. I would recommend staying with a relatively simple pattern.

Crochet Pattern Central has a very nice selection of free patterns, the web address is: http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/filet_crochet.php

 

I have a 6 year old son so my time is also limited. I used a metal board with magnets to mark my place in the pattern (also used for counted cross stich). The one thing I did find is to be sure you complete the row you are working on before you put it down. That way when you are able to come back to it, you won't have to spend time figuring out where you are.

 

I also know some people who color in the charts as they go so they know what they have completed.

 

Hope this helps,

Toni Horvath

[magiccrochetfan]

I'd recommend checking out the Filet Crochet Book by Chris Rankin from the library http://www.amazon.com/Filet-Crochet-Book-Elegant-Projects/dp/0806958235 It has great general instructions and a range of charts for making different articles. Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet also has good info and a few charts which would be good for a first project. There is also a new book by Betty Barnden that gets great reviews on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Filet-Crochet-Easy-Follow-Collection/dp/0312373740/ref=pd_sim_b_title_4

 

I'd look for something that is square or rectangular so you don't have to worry about increasing and decreasing--a coaster, mat, or bookmark. If you find an edging pattern you like, you could make it into a bookmark.

[Granny Square]

I'd start with a bookmark to get the hang of filet, some of the filet doilies are pretty big.

http://www.jacqscrochet.com/Filet%20Bookmark.htm

http://www.crochetsal.com/heartsbk.html

http://www.crochetsal.com/simplyfilet.html

 

What I do to mark the rows...after I finish a row, I mark the row number in pencil at the point the row ended. You will end up with the odd numbers on one side, evens on the other. It doesn't matter which direction you go on the first row, but unless the pattern is symmetrical you need to switch directions each row. This not only marks the row, but reminds me which direction I need to go if I've put my work down.

 

This site has a great tutorial about filet technique (scroll down, left side)

http://www.hassdesign.com/

[RoseRed]

You can try my Filet Prayer Cloth. It's a 4 inch square (it really does come out square).

 

It's a great starter piece. It's small, fast and by the time you're finished you should have no problem picking up any other filet piece.

[crs5]

I have the book, I inherited it.

 

Carol:hook

 

I'd recommend checking out the Filet Crochet Book by Chris Rankin from the library www.amazon.com/Filet-Crochet-Book-Elegant-Projects/dp/0806958235 It has great general instructions and a range of charts for making different articles. Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet also has good info and a few charts which would be good for a first project. There is also a new book by Betty Barnden that gets great reviews on Amazon www.amazon.com/Filet-Crochet-Easy-Follow-Collection/dp/0312373740/ref=pd_sim_b_title_4

 

I'd look for something that is square or rectangular so you don't have to worry about increasing and decreasing--a coaster, mat, or bookmark. If you find an edging pattern you like, you could make it into a bookmark.