This fun filet crochet pattern portrays the Snowman in round frame, and it’s a wonderful easy-to-make Christmas decoration, so I invite you to crochet the Snowman Doily with me.
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. Although the Snowman Doily is an asymmetrical pattern, it is quite easy to read the chart – 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.
VIDEO TUTORIAL OF SNOWMAN DOILY
WRITTEN PATTERN OF SNOWMAN DOILY
If you prefer ad-free printable PDF pattern, you can get it on:
To crochet the Snowman Doily I use Aunt Lydia’s metallic crochet thread size 10. Color in tutorial is White/Pearl and you will need 3 balls (one ball is 100yds). Crochet hook is 1.75 mm. My doily measures about 14 inches in diameter.
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 12 solid blocks = 12 black squares numbered 22-33. Second row starts with 3 solid blocks (numbered 36-34) and ends with 3 solid blocks (numbered 21-19). Third row starts with 3 solid blocks (numbered 16-18) and ends with 3 solid blocks (numbered 37-39), etc.
- Ch 40.
- Row 1 = (read from right to left) dc in 5th ch from hook, dc in each next ch (37 dc = 12 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 (=incr 3 solid blocks), dc in next dc, (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) 12 times (=12 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 (=incr 3 solid blocks).
- Row 3 = incr beg row: ch 12, dc in 5th ch from hook and in each next 7 ch (=3 solid blocks), dc in next dc, next 18 open blocks: (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) 3 times, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 12 times, (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) 3 times, incr end row: tr 9 (=3 solid blocks).
- Row 4 = incr beg row: ch 9, dc in 5th ch from hook and in each next 4 ch (=2 solid blocks), dc in next dc, next 24 open blocks: (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) 3 times, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 18 times, (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) 3 times, 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, next 10 open blocks: (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) twice, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 8 times, next 9 solid blocks: (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) 9 times, next 9 open blocks: (ch 2, dc in next dc) 7 times, (ch 2, skip 2dc, dc in next dc) twice, 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, next 9 open blocks: (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) twice, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 7 times, next 3 solid blocks: (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) twice, dc 1 in each next 3 dc, next 8 open blocks: (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) 8 times, next 2 solid blocks: (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) twice, next 10 open blocks: (ch 2, dc in next dc) 8 times, (ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc) twice, incr end of row: tr 3 (=1 solid block).
- Continue following the chart until 11 rows are completed.
- Row 12 = ch 3, dc 1 in each next 3dc (=1 solid block), 8 open blocks, 2 solid blocks, 15 open blocks, 4 solid blocks, 3 open blocks, 1 solid block, 9 open blocks, sc 1 in each next 3dc (=1 solid block).
- 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), 14 open blocks, 2 solid blocks, 19 open blocks, 1 solid block, 14 open blocks, 1 solid block, decr end of row: leave last 3 dc unworked.
- Continue following the chart until 53 rows are completed.
- Row 54 = 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), 24 open blocks, 2 solid blocks.
- Row 55 = decr beg row: sl st in next 6 dc, ch 3, (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) 3 times (=3 solid blocks), 18 open blocks, 3 solid blocks.
- Row 56 = decr beg row: sl st in next 9 dc, ch 3, (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) 3 times (=3 solid blocks), 12 open blocks, 3 solid blocks.
- Row 57 = decr beg row: sl st in next 9 dc, ch 3, (dc 2 in next ch2-space, dc in next dc) 12 times (=12 solid blocks), cut off, fasten off thread.
- Weave in ends.
If you enjoyed crocheting this doily, please check out my other filet crochet crochet patterns here.
HAPPY CROCHETING!
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