Adapting Filet Crochet
needlepoint stitched fro, filet crochet pattern, copyright Napa Needlepoint
The easiest form of needlepoint instruction for adapting other crafts is when the craft is charted and done with square stitches. Charted Crochet on a hooked grid, known as Filet Crochet, fits the bill perfectly, as you can see by the needlepoint adaptation above.
This technique uses charts with the symbols for the solid stitches in the squares of the chart as in the picture below. Stitch each grid symbol on a intersection of canvas and you have needlepoint. Because many Filet Crochet charts are older, it can be a rich source of copyright-free designs.
vintage filet crochet chart, copyright unknown
Filet Crochet Needlepoint Step-by-step
grid adapted to 2 sizes, copyright Napa Needlepoint
Filet Crochet is always stitched in a single color, so any chart, no matter the technique, which has a square grid and only a single color, can be adapted to this look.
It’s easy to do needlepoint from the chart, but what if you want that lacy grid around the solid design which is so characteristic of filet crochet?
Begin by choosing threads and canvas with a good contrast in color between the two. Traditionally Filet Crochet was done with white threads, but pick a color and stitch on white canvas. For the example, I’ve used a hand-dyed white thread on Victorian Green canvas.
Start by stitching the chart in the middle of the canvas. Usually it works best to start at the middle of the chart. Once this is stitched begin to make the grid. A horizontal or vertical stitch, going over two threads will be made in every other hole, resulting in a grid which looks like the left sample above. If you put the connecting stitch every fourth hole, you get a bigger gird, as in the sample on the right.
Make the grid as large as you want. The end result will be a solid design against an obvious grid, just like Filet Crochet, but in needlepoint.
Here are some sites on the Internet to check out with free Filet Crochet designs:
Pinterest (search for filet crochet for tons of patterns)
Vintage filet crochet patterns
I hope this needlepoint instruction will encourage you to adapt this technique to make some unusual needlepoint.