Narrow Filet Lace Strip

A narrow openwork lace strip in an easy filet mesh. Only chain and double crochet are used. After blocking, the lace measures 9½" long and 1" wide (24 cm × 2.5 cm). It works as a bookmark, gift tie, doll trim, or fine edging.

The piece is worked flat in rows. Each row is the short side. Length grows as rows are added.

Skill Level

Beginner

Finished Measurements

9½" long × 1" wide (24 cm × 2.5 cm), blocked.

• Width (stitch width of each row): 1" (2.5 cm)
• Length (row direction): 9½" (24 cm)

Materials

• Lace weight yarn (CYC #0): approximately 30 yd (27 m), any color, in a smooth fiber so the mesh stays clear
• Crochet hook: US B-1 / 2.25 mm, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry needle
• Pins and a blocking surface

Gauge

Blocked, in pattern stitch:

• 3 mesh squares = 1" (2.5 cm) wide
• 10 rows = 2" (5 cm) long

The strip is too narrow for a separate wide swatch. Check gauge on the piece: after Row 10, it should measure 1" (2.5 cm) across and 2" (5 cm) long, blocked. If it is too narrow, use a larger hook. If it is too wide, use a smaller hook. Begin again once the hook matches gauge.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• beg — beginning
• ch — chain
• dc — double crochet
• rep — repeat
• RS — right side
• sk — skip
• sp(s) — space(s)
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• WS — wrong side

This pattern uses US crochet terms. US double crochet (dc) is yarn over once. Do not use UK treble in place of dc.

Notes

1. Every row has 4 dc and 3 ch-1 spaces (3 mesh squares). Count them before you turn.
2. The beginning ch-4 counts as (dc, ch 1). Do not add another dc in the first stitch of the row.
3. Work into the dc posts only, never into the chain of a ch-1 space.
4. The mesh looks nearly the same on both sides. RS and WS are labeled so the rows are easy to track.
5. Lace opens when it is blocked. The stated size is the blocked size.
6. Fringe is not part of this pattern.

Pattern Stitch

Mesh square: one dc with a ch-1 space beside it. Three mesh squares sit side by side across the width.

Instructions

Foundation: Ch 10. (3 mesh squares × 2) + 4 = 10 chains. ✓

Row 1 (RS): Dc in 6th ch from hook, ch 1, sk next ch, dc in next ch, ch 1, sk next ch, dc in last ch, turn. (4 dc, 3 ch-1 sps; 3 mesh squares = 1" (2.5 cm) wide ✓)

The 5 skipped chains at the start count as (dc, ch 1). Chain check: 5 skipped + 1 dc + 1 skipped + 1 dc + 1 skipped + 1 dc = 10 chains used. ✓

Row 2 (WS): Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), sk next ch-1 sp, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, dc in 3rd ch of beg ch-5, turn. (4 dc, 3 ch-1 sps ✓)

Row 3 (RS): Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), sk next ch-1 sp, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, dc in 3rd ch of beg ch-4, turn. (4 dc, 3 ch-1 sps ✓)

Rows 4–48: Rep Row 3. (4 dc, 3 ch-1 sps on every row ✓)

Odd-numbered rows are RS. Even-numbered rows are WS. Row 48 is a WS row.

Length: (24 cm ÷ 5 cm) × 10 rows = 48 rows. ✓

At the stated gauge, 48 rows is the full length. If width gauge is correct but row gauge is slightly off, keep repeating Row 3 until the unfastened strip measures 9½" (24 cm) long, then stop. Do not change the stitch count.

Fasten off, leaving a 6" (15 cm) tail.

Reading Each Row

From the starting edge to the far edge, every row is:

dc, ch-1 space, dc, ch-1 space, dc, ch-1 space, dc

That is 4 dc posts and 3 open squares. The dc posts stack over dc posts, so the squares stay in straight columns.

Finishing

Weave in the ends.

Block to 9½" × 1" (24 cm × 2.5 cm). Pin the three mesh squares so the width is an even 1" (2.5 cm) and the length is 9½" (24 cm). Wet-block or steam-block, and let the lace dry completely before you remove the pins.

Quick Fixes

• 2 or 3 dc at the end of a row: The last dc missed the 3rd chain of the turning chain. Pull the row out and work that stitch.
• More than 4 dc: A stitch was worked into a ch-1 space. Pull the row out. Work into dc posts only.
• Still not 1" (2.5 cm) wide after blocking: Change hook size and restart from the foundation chain. Do not stretch a wrong-gauge strip to force the width.