As a somewhat avid crocheter over the years, I have certainly been aware of filet crochet, and the idea of making wonderful patterns with the placement of double crochet stitches together with blank spaces, such that one can create any kind of pattern that can be worked out on a grid. That said, traditionally filet crochet is made with very fine crochet thread, which is required for intricate patterns or at least to see them at a close range. I have started lacy tablecloths using crochet thread in the past, and it just was not for me, as I love quick or at least quick-is results! (Then again a neighbor gave me an unfinished lacy crocheted tablecloth that her mother-in-law with failing eyesight can no longer work on......it is sitting in a box in the basement, waiting to be finished, or more likely unraveled so I can use the thread. I have recently unraveled a bunch of my own projects to use the yarn, so no hard feelings, right?)
Today, while some might still want to crochet with thread, filet crochet stitches are being used with yarn weights of all kinds to make blankets and garments. A loved one requested a summer weight baby blanket after seeing one of my tiny dollhouse blankets, so I decided to make some swatches so she could pick her favorite, before all the time and expense involved! Keep on reading to see which one she picked, and which one I think I'd like to make as an alternate?
I ran out of my stash of mercerized cotton, the only cotton yarn readily available in Israel at fabric stores, otherwise I would have made more swatches, as it is just so satisfying, and the results are then used in one of two dollhouses, as blankets and rugs!
I've provided crochet diagrams for the four patterns above, in their individual posts linked to below, and if you can't read diagrams, now is the time as it is a must with filet crochet, got it?
Upper Left: Filet Crochet Diagonal Stripes Pattern
Upper Right: Filet Crochet Small Diamonds Pattern
Lower Left: Filet Crochet Large Diamond Trellis Pattern
Lower Right: Filet Crochet Diamond Trellis
And drum roll please, which swatch was chosen to be used for a creme colored baby blanket? I really thought she'd choose the filet crochet small diamonds, upper right, but she chose the filet crochet diagonal stripes, which will be lovely as well! Putting off buying the yarn, as I'll end up crocheting instead of taking care of other things, so I may just wait and purchase it right before our summer travels, as it is surely a perfect take along project for long airflights!
