The Base Chain

• 1). Tie the yarn onto the crochet hook using a slip knot. Hold the hook and the yarn tail in your dominant hand.
  
  
• 2). Loop yarn over (YO) the hook and pull this new loop through the one already on your hook (you may need to hold the tail with your other hand as you pull through). This is one chain stitch (1ch).
  
  
• 3). Repeat Step 2 until you have completed a total of 13 chain stitches (13ch).
  
  

Filet Block and Space

• 1). Hold the chain in your non-dominant hand. You will work from the dominant hand toward the non-dominant, so right-to-left for right-handed people, left-to-right for left-handed.
  
  
• 2). Skip the first three chains (this counts as the first double crochet), YO and insert your hook into the fourth chain. YO and "pull up a loop" -- pull the yarn through the chain, leaving it on the hook (you'll have three loops of yarn on your hook).
  
  
• 3). YO and pull through the first two loops on your hook (you'll have two left).
  
  
• 4). YO and pull through the final two loops (one loop will be left on the hook). This is your double crochet stitch (dc).
  
  
• 5). YO and insert your hook into the next chain stitch. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 to complete the dc, then make one more dc (2dc). You now have four stitches -- this is a filet "block" or "filled mesh."
  
  
• 6). Make two chain stitches (2ch). These form the top horizontal border of the filet space.
  
  
• 7). Make a double crochet in the third base chain from your last double crochet stitch (dc in 3rd ch from hook). This forms the final vertical border of your space, and a completed "open mesh."
  
  

Continuing the Pattern

• 1). Double crochet in each of the next three base chains.
  
  
• 2). Chain five (counts as first dc and space in Row 2).
  
  
• 3). Turn the work to start Row 2 by removing the hook from the loop, flipping the piece and reinserting the hook.
  
  
• 4). Double crochet in the third dc from your chain and in each of the next three stitches (two chains and a double crochet).
  
  
• 5). Chain two, double crochet in the last stitch of the work.
  
  
• 6). Chain three and repeat from Section 2 until you feel comfortable with the technique.