Monday, October 21, 2013

Filet Crochet "Boo" Bookmark


If you've been wanting to try filet crochet but haven't known where to start, this simple Halloween bookmark is a good first project.  Generally I use size 20 thread and a size 12 or 13 hook when making filet crochet - it gives a tighter stitch and makes it easier to see the pattern.  However, because the stitches are much smaller, it takes a lot longer to finish a piece.  The size 10 used in this bookmark gives you a chance to practice the stitches and learn how to read a chart without committing to months long project!

Materials:
*size 10 black crochet thread
*size 8 crochet hook

In filet crochet, a chart tells you where to make a double crochet stitch and where to make a chain.  It's these two basic stitches that you'll be using and that make the pattern.  I've written out the instructions for each row, but once you get the hang of what to do with a filled square and what to do with an empty square you can stop reading the written instructions and just go from the chart.


Start by making 21 chains.  

Now you'll be working from the bottom of the chart up.  Every place you see a filled in square you are going to fill it in with a dc.  Every place you see an empty square you are going to leave it open by making a chain stitch.

Row 1:  Every square in row 1 is filled in so you will want to have a stitch in every chain you made.  Make a double crochet stitch (dc) in the fourth chain from the hook and in each chain to the end.  You should have 19 stitches.

Row 2:  The first square is filled in.  Chain 3 (counts as your first dc), dc into the next two stitches.  This completes the first square.  The next square is empty.  Chain 1, skip the next stitch, and dc into the following stitch.  This completes the second square.  The following 6 squares are empty - for each square, chain 1, skip the next stitch, and dc into the following stitch.  The The eighth square is filled in.  Dc into the next two stitches.  Row 1 is finished!  Chain 3 and turn.

Row 3:  The first square is filled in, so dc in the first two stitches.  The next square is open, so chain 1, skip the next stitch, and dc in the following stitch.  Square 3 is empty, so chain 1, skip the next stitch, and dc in the following stitch.  Squares 4, 5, and 6 are filled in, so dc in the next 6 stitches.  Squares 7 is empty, so chain 2, skip the next stitch, and dc in the following stitch.  Square 8 is empty, so chain 2, skip the next stitch, and dc the following stitch.  Square 9 is filled in, so dc in the last two stitches.  Chain 3 and turn.

Row 4:  The first square is filled in, so dc in the first two stitches.  Square 3 is empty, so chain ,1 skip the next stitch, and dc in the following stitch.  Squares 4 is filled, in so dc in the next two stitches.  Square 5 is empty, so chain 1, skip the next stitch, and dc in the following stitch.  Square 6 is filled, so dc in the next two stitches.  Squares 7 and 8 are empty, so chain 1, skip the next stitch, dc in the following stitch, chain 1, skip the next stitch, and dc in the following stitch.  Chain 9 is filled in, so dc in the last two stitches.  Chain 3 and turn.

Rows 5 - 8:  Same as Row 4.

Row 9:  Same as Row 3.

Row 10:  Same as Row 2.

Row 11:  Same as Row 3.

Rows 12 - 16:  Same as Row 4.

Row 17:  Same as Row 3.

Row 18:  Same as Row 2.

Row 19:  Same as Row 3.

Row 20:  Same as Row 4.

Rows 21:  Same as Row 3.

Row 22:  The first square is filled in, so dc in the first two stitches.  Squares 2 - 4 are empty, so chain 1, skip the next stitch, and dc in the following stitch for each of the squares.  Squares 5 and 6 are filled in, so dc in the next 4 stitches.  Squares 7 and 8 are empty, so chain 1, skip the next stitch, and dc in the following stitch for each of the squares.  Square 9 is filled in, so dc in the last two stitches.

Row 23:  Same as Row 3.

Row 24:  Same as Row 4.

Row 25:  Same as Row 3.

Row 26:  Same as Row 2.

Row 27:  Every square is filled in, so dc in every stitch across the row.  Finish off.  

Weave in the thread ends, iron flat, and you're done!


Happy Creating!  Deborah

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