Filet Heart Coaster

Filet Heart Coaster by Susan Lowman

What Is Being Made

The Filet Heart Coaster is a decorative crochet coaster featuring a heart design created using the filet crochet technique. This finished project measures approximately 4 1/4" wide by 4" high, making it an ideal size for protecting surfaces from beverages or decorative display. The design combines white and red cotton thread to create visual contrast in the filet pattern.

Craft and Technique

This project uses filet crochet, a technique that creates an openwork fabric by alternating between filled and open mesh spaces. Filet crochet is particularly effective for creating pictorial designs and geometric patterns, as the mesh structure allows crafters to follow a chart to build images. The heart motif in this coaster demonstrates how filet crochet can produce recognizable shapes through careful placement of mesh variations.

The intermediate skill level indicates that crafters should be comfortable with basic crochet stitches and able to read and follow a filet chart. Understanding how to maintain consistent gauge and execute the special stitches required for filet work is essential for this project.

Stitches and Special Techniques

The Filet Heart Coaster employs several key crochet stitches and techniques:

• Double crochet (dc): The primary stitch used to create the structure of the filet mesh
• Single crochet (sc): Used in the shell stitch variation for detail work
• Chain stitch (ch): Forms the foundation and creates the open spaces within the filet pattern
• Slip stitch (sl st): Used for joining rounds and finishing edges
• Closed mesh: Created by working double crochet stitches in consecutive stitches or spaces, producing a solid area in the filet pattern
• Open mesh: Formed by chaining 2 stitches and skipping 2 stitches, then working a double crochet, creating the characteristic openwork spaces of filet crochet
• Shell stitch: A decorative stitch combining single crochet, chain 3, and double crochet in a specified stitch, used for embellishment
• Extended double crochet (edc): A variation of the standard double crochet that adds height and texture

Materials and Tools

This project requires Size 10 cotton crochet thread in two colors: 25 yards of white and 40 yards of red. Cotton thread is ideal for coasters as it is durable, absorbent, and creates a refined finished fabric suitable for functional home décor items.

A Size 7 (1.65mm) steel crochet hook is specified for this project, though the pattern notes that the crafter should use the size required to achieve the correct gauge. Steel hooks are commonly used with fine cotton thread as they provide the precision needed for working with delicate materials and maintaining tight, even stitches.

Optional tools include safety pins or stitch markers, which can help track stitch placement and pattern progression when following the filet chart.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 6 mesh equals 2 inches in width and 6 rows equals 1 1/2 inches in height. Achieving the correct gauge is critical in filet crochet to ensure the finished coaster matches the intended dimensions and the heart design appears properly proportioned. Crafters should work a gauge swatch before beginning the project to verify their tension matches the pattern requirements.

Pattern by Susan Lowman, © 2010 The Crochet Architect. All rights reserved.