Pumpkin Doily

If you enjoy making pretty things with filet crochet technique, I invite you to join me crocheting this intricate Pumpkin Doily. With this project you will practice or learn increasing and decreasing blocks to create the shape of the pumpkin. And because of these extra steps I recommend this project for crocheters who are already familiar with basic filet crochet technique.

WHAT IS FILET CROCHET

Filet means ‘net’ or ‘mesh’ in French. Filet crochet uses only double crochet stitches and chains that are worked in multiples of three plus one. These multiples are called blocks that make up the grid pattern. Open blocks are made with 2 chains and 1 double crochet stitch, solid blocks are made with 3 double crochet stitches. Filet crochet chart is read from the bottom up. Row 1 is at the bottom of the image. And with asymmetrical pattern like Pumpkin Doily the odd-number rows are worked from right to left and even-number rows are worked from left to right.

INCREASING AND DECREASING BLOCKS

In order to increase at the beginning of row, you start with the number of chains that are needed for the number of blocks you are increasing, plus 3 chains for the first double crochet. For example, if you need to increase one solid block, you start with 3 + 3 = 6 chains (3 chains for one solid block plus 3 chains for the first double crochet). To increase two solid blocks, you start with 6 + 3 = 9 chains and to increase three solid blocks, you start with 9 + 3 = 12 chains.

To increase at the end of row, you work triple crochet stitches at the end of row. The first triple crochet will be worked into the base of the last double crochet stitch, next triple crochet stitches are worked into the bottom loops of the last triple crochet stitch. Please see my video tutorial below for illustration.

To decrease at the beginning of row, work slip stitches ( 3 for each block) and start the row with 3 chains. For example, if you need to decrease one block, you slip stitch in next 3 double crochet stitches and chain 3 to start the row. If you need to decrease two blocks, you slip stitch in next 6 double crochet stitches and chain 3.

The easiest of these techniques is decreasing at the end of row. You simply stop before you reach the end of row and leave the remaining stitches unworked.

BLOCKING DOILY

The doily definitely needs blocking after you finish it. I usually make the piece wet, stretch it out on blocking mats and attach it with pins. I also spray some starch to give it extra firm shape. Let it dry completely before removing the pins.

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This pattern is featured in my Amazon pattern book “7 Filet Crochet Patterns: Holiday”. Enjoy the fast Prime delivery of Amazon Paperback (you get the actual pattern book shipped to you) or download the Kindle ebook here:

VIDEO TUTORIAL OF PUMPKIN DOILY

WRITTEN PATTERN OF PUMPKIN DOILY

If you prefer ad-free printable PDF pattern, you can get it on:

Ravelry

Etsy

LoveCrafts

To crochet the Pumpkin Doily I use Aunt Lydia’s crochet thread size 10. Color in tutorial is Pumpkin and 350 yards in one ball is enough for the doily. Crochet hook is 1.75 mm. My doily measures about 12 inches wide and 13 inches from top to bottom.

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
tr = triple crochet
incr = increase
beg = beginning
decr = decrease
sl st = slip stitch

Pattern notes:
Each row starts and ends with solid block(s). First row is 4 solid blocks = 4 black squares numbered 19-22. Second row starts with 3 solid blocks (numbered 25-23) and ends with 3 solid blocks (numbered 18-16). Third row starts with 4 solid blocks (numbered 12-15) and ends with 1 solid block (numbered 26), etc.

Ch 16.
Row 1 = (read from right to left) dc in 5th ch from hook, dc in each next 11 ch (13 dc = 4 solid blocks)
Row 2 = (read from left to right) increase at the beginning of row: ch 12, dc in 5th ch from hook and in each next 7 ch (=3 solid blocks), dc in next dc, (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) four times (=4 open blocks), increase at the end of row: tr in base of last dc, tr 8 inserting hook for each new tr into the bottom loops of last tr (=3 solid blocks).
Row 3 = incr beg row: ch 15, dc in 5th ch from hook and in each next 10 ch (=4 solid blocks), dc in next dc, (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) three times, (ch 2, dc in next dc) four times, (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) three times (=10 open blocks), incr end row: tr 3 (=1 solid block).
Row 4 = incr beg row: ch 18, dc in 5th ch from hook and in each next 13 ch (=5 solid blocks), dc in next dc, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) ten times, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=12 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) twice (=2 open blocks), incr end row: tr 6 (=2 solid blocks).
Row 5 = incr beg row: ch 9, dc in 5th ch from hook and in each next 4 ch (=2 solid blocks), dc in next dc, (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) twice, (ch 2, dc in next dc) twice (=4 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) twelve times (=12 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) four times (=4 open blocks), incr end of row: tr 6 (=2 solid blocks).
Row 6 = incr beg row: ch 6, dc in 5th ch from hook and in next ch (=1 solid block), dc in next dc, (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) twice, (ch 2, dc in next dc) four times (=6 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) twelve times, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=13 open blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) three times, (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) twice (=5 open blocks), incr end of row: tr 3 (=1 solid block).
Row 7 = incr beg row: ch 6, dc in 5th ch from hook and in next ch (=1 solid block), dc in next dc, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) five times (=6 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) 13 times (=13 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block),(ch 2, dc in next dc) six times, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=7 open blocks), incr end of row: tr 3 (=1 solid block).
Row 8: incr beg row: ch 6, dc in 5th ch from hook and in next ch (=1 solid block), dc in next dc, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) seven times (=8 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) 13 times (=13 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block),(ch 2, dc in next dc) six times, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=7 open blocks), incr end of row: tr 3 (=1 solid block).
Row 9: ch 3, dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) six times (=6 open blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 13 times (=14 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) eight times (=8 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block).
Row 10: incr beg row: ch 6, dc in 5th ch from hook and in next ch (=1 solid block), dc in next dc, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) eight times, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=10 open blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) 13 times (=13 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) six times, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=7 open blocks), incr end of row: tr 3 (=1 solid block).
Row 11 = ch 3, dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) seven times (=7 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) 13 times (=13 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) ten times (=10 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), incr end of row: tr 3 (=1 solid block).
Row 12 = incr beg row: ch 6, dc in 5th ch from hook and in next ch (=1 solid block), dc in next dc, ch 2 skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=1 open block), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) ten times (=10 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) 13 times (=13 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) seven times, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=8 open blocks), incr end of row: tr 3 (=1 solid block).

Continue following the chart until 23 rows are completed.
Row 24 = ch 3, dc 1 in each next 3dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) six times (=6 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) 15 times (=15 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) eight times (=8 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block),(ch 2, dc in next dc) five times (=5 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), ch 2, dc in next dc (=1 open block), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc), decr end of row: leave last 3 dc unworked.
Row 25 = 1 solid, 1 open, 1 solid, 5 open, 1 solid, 7 open, 1 solid, 15 open, 1 solid, 7 open, 1 solid (no incr or decr on this row).
Row 26 = 1 solid, 7 open, 1 solid, 15 open, 1 solid, 7 open, 1 solid, 5 open, 1 solid, 1 open, 1 solid (no incr or decr on this row).
Row 27 = decr beg row: sl st in next 3 dc, ch 3, dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=1 open block), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) 4 times (=4 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) 6 times (=6 open blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 14 times (=15 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 6 times (=7 open blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), decr end of row: leave last 3 dc unworked.
Continue following the chart until 35 rows are completed.

Row 36 = decr beg row: sl st in next 3 dc, ch 3, dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) six times, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=7 open blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) nine times (=9 open blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next 4 dc, dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=3 solid blocks), (ch 2, dc in next dc) three times (=3 open blocks), dc 1 in next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) three times (=3 open blocks), dc 1 in next 3 dc (=1 solid block).
Row 37 = decr beg row: sl st in next 3 dc, ch 3, (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) three times (=3 solid blocks), ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=1 open block), (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) three times, dc 1 in each next 9 dc, dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=7 solid blocks), (ch 2, dc in next dc) seven times (=7 open blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), ch 2 skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) six times (=7 open blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), decr end row: leave last 3 dc unworked.
Row 38 = decr beg row: sl st in next 3 dc, ch 3, dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, dc in next dc) six times, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=7 open blocks), (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) twice (=2 solid blocks), (ch 2, dc in next dc) four times (=4 open blocks), dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc, dc 1 in each next 18 dc (=7 solid blocks), ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc (=2 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), decr end row: leave last 6 dc unworked.
Row 39 = ch 3, dc 1 in each next 3 dc, dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=2 solid blocks), ch 2, dc in next dc (=1 open block), dc 1 in each next 18 dc (=6 solid blocks), ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=1 open block), (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) four times (=4 solid blocks), (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) twice, (ch 2, dc in next dc) five times (=7 open blocks), (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) twice (=2 solid blocks), decr end row: leave last 3 dc unworked.
Row 40 = decr beg row: sl st in next 6 dc, ch 3, (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) twice (=2 solid blocks), (ch 2, dc in next dc) five times, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=6 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 3 dc (=1 solid block), (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) twice, ch 2, dc in next dc (=3 open blocks), dc 1 in each next 18 dc, dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc (=7 solid blocks), decr end row: leave last 6 dc unworked.
Row 41 = ch 3, dc 1 in each next 21 dc (=7 solid blocks), (ch 2, dc in next dc) three times, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=4 open blocks), (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) six times (=6 solid blocks), decr end row: leave last 6 dc unworked.
Row 42 = decr beg row: sl st in next 15 dc, ch 3, dc 1 in next 3 dc, (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) four times (=5 solid blocks), ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc (=1 open block), dc 1 in each next 18 dc (=6 solid blocks).
Row 43 = ch 3, dc 1 in each next 15 dc (=5 solid blocks), decr end row: leave last 3 dc unworked.
Row 44 = ch 3, dc 1 in each next 15 dc (=5 solid blocks), incr end row: tr 3 (=1 solid block).
Row 45 = ch 3, dc 1 in each next 15 dc (=5 solid blocks), decr end row: leave last 3 dc unworked.
Row 46 = ch 3, dc 1 in each next 15 dc (=5 solid blocks).
Row 47 = incr beg row: ch 6, dc in 5th ch from hook and in next ch, dc in next dc, dc 1 in each next 12 dc (=5 solid blocks), decr end row: leave last 3 dc unworked.
Row 48 = ch 3, dc 1 in each next 12 dc (=4 solid blocks), decr end row: leave last 3 dc unworked.
Row 49 = decr beg row: sl st in each next 3 dc, ch 3, dc 1 in each next 6 dc (=2 solid blocks), decr end row: leave last 3 dc unworked.
Fasten off, cut off thread.

If you enjoyed crocheting this doily, please check out my other filet crochet crochet patterns here.

HAPPY CROCHETING!

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