I love filet crochet and one of the first things I ever crocheted as an adult was a filet crochet bunny blanket for Little G when I was pregnant with her.  In fact one of my first crochet designs, the bordered heart baby blanket, was also filet crochet.  But ‘filet’  seems to be something that people are a little scared of or think of it specifically made with teeny tiny hooks (eek!) and proper crochet thread (yikes!).  

So for my own challenge of designing a new afghan square each month in 2014 I thought I would design something filet-ish.  The ‘Mini Filet Cross Afghan Square’ is a cute little square which incorporates an element of simple ‘filet’ crochet that would look great in a multi-square afghan or worked up in different colours sewn together as a blanket – the possibilities are endless!  

You can download the pattern from Ravelry or Craftsy to save for later or continue down to the pattern below:

Yarn:

• 5g of any double knit yarn; 8ply / yarn weight #3 or #4
• The square can be worked in either single colours of using up scraps of different colours

Hook: 4 mm (US size G)

You will also need: Yarn needle

Gauge:

• 4 tr/dc sts = 1 inch / 2.5 cm
• 5.5 x 5.5 inches / 14 x 14 cm

These measurements are approximated, and actual subjects may vary. Pattern will work in other yarns though gauge/size will be  different.

Abbreviations: 

• st(s) = stitch(es)
• sl st = slip stitch
• ch(s) = chain  
• dc/sc = UK double / US single crochet
• tr/dc = UK treble / US double crochet

Pattern:

Rnd 1: Ch 4, join with a sl st to form a ring. Ch 3 (counts as first tr/dc) and work 15 tr/dc into ring, sl st to the top of beginning 3 ch to join (16 sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as first tr/dc), 1 tr/dc into same st, ch 3, 2 tr/dc into same st, * ch 1, miss 1 st, 1 tr/dc into next st, ch 1 miss st, 2 tr/dc into next st, ch 3, 2 tr/dc into same st * repeat from * to * until end, sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3 to join (40 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch 3 (counts as first tr/dc), 1 tr/dc into the next st, * [2 tr/dc, ch 3, 2 tr/dc] into the 3 ch sp, 1 tr/dc into the top of the next 2 sts, ch 1, miss st, 1 tr/dc into next st, ch 1, miss st, 1 tr/dc into the top of the next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end, sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3 to join (56 sts) – if changing to a different colour  finish off and weave in ends.

Rnd 4: If using new yarn attach to any 3 ch sp / or ch 3 (counts as first tr/dc),  1 tr/dc into same st, ch 3, 2 tr/dc into same ch sp, 1 tr/dc in each of the next 11 sts, * [2 tr/dc, ch 3, 2 tr/dc] in the 3 ch sp, 1 tr/dc in each of the next 11 sts, * repeat from * to * until end, sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3 to join (72 sts)

Rnd 5: Ch 3 (counts as first tr/dc), 1 tr/dc into next st, *[1 tr/dc, ch 3, 1 tr/dc] in the 3 ch sp, 1 tr/dc in each of the next 15 sts, * repeat from * to * until last row 1 tr/dc into remaining 13 st, sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3 to join (80 sts)

Rnd 6: Ch 1 (counts as first dc/sc), 1 dc/sc into next 2 sts, * 3 dc/sc in the 3 ch sp, 1 dc/sc in each of the next 17 sts, * repeat from * to * until last row 1 dc/sc into remaining 15 st, sl st to the top of the beginning ch 1 to join, finish with an invisible join and weave in ends (80 sts)