Filet mesh: understand the little windows

A box has width

Filet crochet uses open and filled areas to make a picture. The chart convention matters: an open box can cover several stitch positions, not one ordinary colourwork stitch. This sample uses UK trebles, called US double crochet, with two chains between neighbouring vertical bars. It teaches the mesh structure, not a conversion of every chart you might find.

Make a six-window practice panel

1. Chain 20, then make 19 UK double crochet from the second chain.
2. Chain 3 and turn. Count that chain as the first treble above the first base stitch.
3. Repeat six times: chain 2, skip two base stitches, treble in the next base stitch. The final treble goes in base stitch 19.
4. On the next row, chain 3 and turn, then repeat chain 2 and treble into the next treble top six times. Finish in the top of the previous starting chain.

Count windows and bars separately

Each mesh row has six openings and seven upright bars, counting the starting chain as one bar. The two neighbouring windows share the bar between them. That is why multiplying the number of boxes by all their borders gives the wrong stitch total. Mark the outer bars when checking a chart repeat.

Before following a picture chart

Read its box width, turning-chain rule and instructions for a filled square. Some filet designs use a different mesh size from this exercise. A chart is a plan with a key, not a photograph of the stitch tops. Make one open and one filled box from that key before beginning a large design, especially if the picture includes letters.

Words in this lesson

Notes & further reading

Original explanations and practice exercises by Crochet By Micky. UK stitch names are used; check the stitch key in any other pattern you follow.

• Crochet chart symbol reference

Reviewed 25 October 2026. Cover artwork is an original illustration, not a third-party pattern or event photograph.