Filet crochet(PartIII) - Increasing and decreasing
Filet Crochet is an easy to master style of crochet. Now that you have understood the basic components that it is made of, the rest is a piece of cake. The next step is to learn how to increase and decrease stitches. It is the increasing and decreasing of stitches that lends filet crochet its cutwork like effect.
The table below is self – explanatory.
| Symbol | Name | Composed of |
 |
Double open mesh | 1 tr, 5 ch, 1 tr usually over a checkmark |
 |
Checkmark | 1 tr, 3 ch, 1 dc, 3 ch, 1 tr |
 |
Solid block | 4 tr |
 |
Chain | - |
 |
Slip Stitch | - |
Points to remember from Part II:
- Crochet is always worked from right to left unless otherwise instructed.
- In a schematic chart, odd rows are read from right to left and even rows are read from left to right.
- This is because the work is turned at the end of each row.
Dc + 3 chains forming the check mark forming.
Abbreviations:
Chains - ch
Treble - tr
Double Crochet - dc
Now for a row by row analysis of the schematic chart for a simple pattern with increasing and decreasing. The pattern itself is from Dillmont’s Encyclopedia of Needlework. Some of the stitch terms used in the book is no longer in use. A free download of a later edition is available at this link. http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/20776 . The book however does not feature this particular pattern. The book itself is a treasure worth its weight in gold.
Directions:
The arrow above each row indicates the direction in with that particular row is read. The row itself describes the arrangement of the blocks and checkmarks. Finally, the current is piled on the previously worked row so you’ll know what your work should look like as you complete each row.
Foundation chains = 40chains.
(1 Checkmark = 2 blocks.)
Therefore in row 1,
3 checkmarks = 6 blocks.
Solid blocks = 6 blocks
= 12 blocks
(12 x 3) + 1 = 36 + 1 = 37
37 chains + 3 turning chains = 40 chains.
Row 1: 2 solid blocks, 2 check marks, 4 solid blocks, 1 checkmark.
Row 2: 1 double open mesh, 4 solid blocks, 2 double open meshes, 2 solid blocks
Rows 1 and 2 are shown together below.
Notice that there is always a double open mesh above a check mark.
Row 3: This is where the increasing starts.
9 chains, 1 tr into the 5th chain from hook, 1 tr into each of the next 4 ch, 1 tr into the next tr (1st tr of the solid block in row 2) – these stitches form the first 2 solid blocks of row 3.
2 solid blocks, 1 check mark, 2 solid blocks, 4 check marks
Rows 1 -3 are shown together below.
Row 4: 4 double open meshes, 2 solid blocks, 1 double open mesh, 2 solid blocks.
Rows 1- 4 are shown together below.
Row 5: Another increase - 9 chains, 1 tr into the 5th chain from hook, 1 tr into each of the next 4 ch, 1 tr into the next tr (1st tr of the solid block in row 2) – these stitches form the first 2 solid blocks of row 5.
2 solid blocks, 3 checkmarks, 2 solid blocks, 3 check marks.
Rows 1 – 5 are shown together below.
Row 6: 3 double open meshes, 2 solid blocks, 3 double open meshes, 2 solid blocks.
Rows 1-6 are shown together below.
Row 7: Another increase -9 chains, 1 tr into the 5th chain from hook, 1 tr into each of the next 4 ch, 1 tr into the next tr (1st tr of the solid block in row 2) – these stitches form the first 2 solid blocks of row 7.
2 solid blocks, 2 check marks, 4 solid blocks, 1 check mark, 2 solid blocks, 2 check marks.
Rows 1 -7 are shown together below.
Row 8: 2 double open meshes, 2 solid blocks, 1 double open mesh, 4 solid blocks, 2 double open meshes, 2 solid blocks.
Rows 1 – 8 are shown together below.
Row 9: Another increase -9 chains, 1 tr into the 5th chain from hook, 1 tr into each of the next 4 ch, 1 tr into the next tr (1st tr of the solid block in row 2) – these stitches form the first 2 solid blocks of row 9.
2 solid blocks, 1 check mark, 8 solid blocks, 1 check mark, 2 solid blocks, 1 checkmark.
Rows 1 – 9 are shown together below.
Row 10: 1 double open mesh, 2 solid blocks, 1 double open mesh, 8 solid blocks, 1 double open mesh, 2 solid blocks.
Rows 1 – 10 are shown together below.
Row 11: 2 solid blocks, 2 checkmarks, 4 solid blocks, 1 checkmark, 2 solid blocks, 2 check marks.
Row 1 – 11 are shown together below.
Row 12: 2 double open meshes, 2 solid blocks, 1 double open mesh, 4 solid blocks, 2 double open meshes, 2 solid blocks.
Rows 1 – 12 are shown together below.
Row 13: This is the part of the pattern where the decreasing starts.
1 slip stitch into each of the first 7 tr in the row below, 3 chains. The 3 chains form the first tr of the first solid block in this row.
Slip Stitch: insert hook into the stitch below, yarn over hook pull loop through the loop on hook.
2 solid blocks, 3 checkmarks, 2 solid blocks, 3 check marks.
Rows 1 – 13 are shown together below.
Row 14: 3 double open meshes, 2 solid blocks, 3 double open meshes, 2 solid blocks.
Rows 1- 14 are shown together below.
Row 15: another decrease - 1 slip stitch into each of the first 7 tr in the row below, 3 chains. The 3 chains form the first tr of the first solid block in this row.
2 solid blocks, 1 check mark, 2 solid blocks, 4 check marks.
Rows 1 - 15 are shown together below.
Row 16: 4 double open meshes, 2 solid blocks, 1 double open mesh, 2 solid blocks.
Rows 1 – 16 are shown together below.
Repeat rows 1 to 16 the required number of times.
To round of this series, here is a link featuring a wonderful Filet Crochet Tutorial.
http://www.smartcrochet.com/tutorial.shtml
Tags: crochet, crochet pattern, crochet style, crocheting, filet crochet
