- Rnd 1: RS facing, join in a corner sp. Work 3 sc in each bedspread corner sp, sc in each st along the edge of every square, and 1 sc in each point where two squares meet. Join. (552 sc along each long side, 473 along each short side and 12 at the corners: 2,062 sts)
- Rnd 2: ch 2 (does not count as a st), hdc in each st around, working 3 hdc in the center st of each corner. Join. (2,070 sts)
- Rnd 3: rep Rnd 2. (2,078 sts)
- Rnd 4: ch 1, rev sc in each st around. Join and fasten off. (2,078 sts)
Euro Shams (make 2)
- Front: join 4 squares in 2 rows of 2, as for the bedspread. The four X’s meet in the middle to form a large diamond. (about 68 cm square)
- Back pieces (make 2 per sham): ch 97. Row 1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. (95 hdc) Rows 2-34: ch 2 (does not count as a st), turn, hdc in BLO of each st across. Fasten off. (about 68 x 38 cm, ribbed)
- Lay one back piece over the other, both RS up, so they overlap by about 8 cm and the rectangle measures 68 cm square. Pin the overlap.
- Edging rnd: join in a corner. Working through both layers where they overlap, 3 sc in corner st, sc in next 93 sts, 3 sc in corner st, 95 sc evenly along the side, 3 sc in corner st, sc in next 93 sts, 3 sc in corner st, 95 sc evenly along the other side. Join. Fasten off. (388 sts)
Sham Assembly
- Hold a front and a back WS together, with the front facing you and the corners matched.
- Whipstitch the outer edge of the front to the edging rnd of the back all the way around, easing the two edges together evenly.
- Rep with the second sham, and slip the Euro pillows in through the back opening.
Finishing
Weave in all ends along the solid blocks, where they hide completely. Avoid weaving through the open spaces, where they would show.
Wet block the bedspread on a large flat surface. Pin the squares straight and the raised seams in neat lines, and open up each space of the X pattern. Let it dry completely. A cream or white sheet underneath shows off the lattice best.
Tips for Success
- Count the squares at the end of every row. Every row must have 25, and one extra or missing square shifts the whole X.
- Keep your chains the same length as the dc are tall, so the spaces stay square.
- Work the top half of the chart (Rows 1-13) once with your finger on each square, then mark it as checked. The bottom half is just the same rows in reverse.
- Choose a smooth, firm cotton blend. It shows the spaces crisply and keeps the blocks from looking fuzzy.
- Block every square to the same size before joining, so the X’s line up across the seams.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting that the ch 3 counts as a dc. If you work a dc into the first st as well, the row gains a stitch and the squares shift.
- Blocks over spaces with too few sts. A block over a space needs 2 dc in the ch-2 sp plus 1 dc in the next dc, or the row shrinks.
- Squares that grow taller than they are wide. If the spaces look like tall rectangles, your dc are too long. Go down a hook size.
- A crooked X. If one diagonal line jogs, a space was placed one square off. Check each row against the chart before moving on.
- A wavy border. Too many sts in Rnd 1 make the edge ruffle. Work exactly 1 sc at each point where squares meet.
Ways to Customize This Pattern
- Work it in white or ecru for a classic heirloom filet bedspread.
- Change the size: each square adds about 34 cm. A throw of 4 by 4 squares is about 140 cm square.
- Make a tablecloth of 3 by 3 squares, or a table runner of 1 by 4 squares.
- Cross-stitch a small flower into the center diamond of each square for a touch of color.
- Use the chart on its own, worked in finer cotton with a smaller hook, for a doily or cushion top.
Frequently asked questions
Is filet crochet hard?
The stitches are just dc and chains. The challenge is reading the chart and counting the squares. Once you know how to work blocks and spaces over each other, it becomes a steady rhythm.
Why do the squares form a diamond lattice?
Each square has an X running corner to corner. When squares are joined side by side, the arms of the X’s meet at the corners and continue across the seams, forming a pattern of large diamonds over the whole bed.
Can I make the bedspread in one piece?
Yes, if you repeat the chart across and down the whole width, but the rows would be very long and heavy. Separate squares are easier to carry, count and block.
How should I wash it?
Wash it on a gentle cold cycle inside a large laundry bag, or by hand, and dry it flat. Re-block while damp to straighten the seams and square up the spaces.
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