These Filet Crochet letter charts work up quickly and are a romantic addition to any table.

One of the beautiful aspects of Filet Crochet is that any hook/yarn combination that works together will create a completed piece in the pattern you select -- all that changes from one hook to the next is the size of your completed project. For that reason, you can create a small wine coaster and a larger matching doily for the wine bottle using the same thread and different hook sizes. You could even go up to a fingering weight yarn and an aluminum hook and use the same charts to create decorative monogram placemats.

Filet Crochet can also be worked a few different ways. Traditional filet uses {3 dc} for a block and {2 ch, 1 dc} for a space. However, you can also get a tighter, more closed-up effect by using {2 hdc} for a block and {1 ch, 1 hdc} for a space -- the coaster in the photograph is an example of hdc filet (#10 thread, 2.25mm Steel Hook).

This can be a doily, a tablecloth, a place-mat, a pillowcase or whatever you decide it to be. It all depends on which yarn you use, and how big you make it.

Note: This pattern uses US terminology

• Two balls of Schachenmayr Crazy Cotton (100% cotton, 125m/137 yards per 50g/1.75 oz ball). This is a so-called self-striping yarn. The colour changes give the plain square a soft, "hand-painted" look. Also, they make it more fun to work the piece!

• A 3 mm hook, to get a solid, yet not too stiff, fabric.

With two balls of Crazy Cotton, I ended up with a 34x34 cm/13.5x13.5 inch square.

This is a square made in the round! This means that the increases in every round are made in four, evenly spaced places, forming the corners. A "chain arch" of 3 ch in every corner keeps the angels straight, and creates nice eyelets.

1) All stitches are worked in the back loop only (except, of course, in round 1 and when stitches are worked around the "chain arches").

2) There is no extra chain in the beginning of each round. You start right off with a sc around the "chain arch". The aim is to make the change between rounds as unnoticeable as possible. For this very reason, it is useful to mark this first stitch by placing a marker (e.g., a safety pin) in it. When the round is finished, you join it with a slip stitch in the first stitch. You will notice that the loop forming the slip stitch will sit on top of the stitch it’s worked into. When you finish the subsequent round, you work the last stitch into the slip stitch. You simply work into every "loop" on top of the round below. As long as you mark that first stitch in the round, it’s very easy.

Getting started

Three different containers can all be made with one ball of Jo Sharp Desert Garden Aran Cotton.  Embellish the pieces with large sequin-like paillettes (found in any craft store).

Use them as "jewelry cozies" or desktop pieces to store little goodies while you're at your computer.

• Jo Sharp Desert Garden Aran Cotton (or 60yds of aran cotton yarn)
• Size F (3.75mm) crochet hook
• Large paillettes

You will be using a hook smaller than what the yarn calls for to get a tight crochet. You can use just about any yarn to make these boxes. Start with the box pattern, choose a hook two sizes smaller than what the yarn calls for, the crochet piece should be tight with a little bit of curl. Use the same hook for all three projects.

This cheery, cuddly pillow is sure to brighten even the dullest day. It's a fabulous project for beginners, so come on all you newbies out there, show us what you got.

• Sport Weight Baby Yarn, 2 colors A & B (pick your favorites!)
• Size I hook
• Polyester Fiberfill for pillow stuffing
• Small piece of yarn, stitch marker, or safety pin to mark rounds

I used 2 colors for the front of the flower and one single color for the back.

The decorative domestic arts: the desire to cover everything in the house. Cozies for the toaster, tea pot, coffee pot, vacuum cleaner; doilies on all flat surfaces, antimacassars on the backs of chairs and couches (even though grandpa stopped using pomade 30 years ago when there was no hair left to oil up).

A standby in houses where I grew up was the toilet paper roll cozy, often made to look like a doll wearing a ruffled dress and matching hat. I wanted to do a next-generation version, and although I know I could make something fabulous involving a thrift store Barbie, eyelash yarn and sequins, I did a sushi roll instead, using leftover yarns in my stash box. The top is crocheted and then embroidered, the sides knitted. If you prefer to do the entire cozy in crochet, instructions are included.

• Worsted weight yarn in white and black (approx. 3 oz of each), scrap yarns in different colors
• unused roll of toilet paper (for use as a fitting model)
• size G (4.25 mm) hook
• size 4 (3.5mm) double-pointed knitting needles (set of 5, 7"/18cm long)
• tapestry needle

I made this throw for my husband.  It's made in a very easy shell pattern with a border that has one round of single crochet and one round of reverse single crochet.  I used Red Heart worsted weight yarn in the color of Aran Fleck to add more texture.

• Size I (5.50mm) hook or whatever hook size gives you gauge
• 39 oz worsted weight yarn
• Tapestry needle

50" by 50"

7 shells = 4 inches/10cm

Ch 151.

Row 1:  sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across.  ch1, turn.