Filet Crochet Bookmark for Kids

This unique and cute bookmark I crocheted using filet technique. I made this pattern for kids with one sailing boat, one dolphin, one starfish, one seahorse, four seagulls, corals and many fish. Let your kids find them!

You need to know how to crochet chain stitch and double crochet stitch for the main part of the bookmark; single crochet stitch, bullion stitch (roll stitch) and slip stitch for decorating the edges.

I think you can crochet this bookmark not only for your kid, but also together with your kid. There is no specific age when a child can learn to crochet, most kids can learn the basics of crochet around the age of 5. The main part of the bookmark is crocheted using crochet chain and double crochet stitches. Crochet chain and double crochet stitches are two of the easiest stitches of all the crochet stitches to learn. If you have a very young child, then use a thicker yarn and a larger hook. It's okay that the bookmark will be a little thick, but it will be made by your child. Don't crochet the whole pattern if you want a smaller bookmark. So it's time to get the kids interested in crochet, because it gives children the opportunity to express their creativity in a new way.

a double sheet of paper from a math notebook (from the middle);

a pencil;

cotton yarn, I used 100% cotton 560 m/100 g, white color;

a crochet hook;

scissors;

dye and a brush (optional);

corn starch and water (1:6);

blocking mat and pins;

iron.

Redraw or print the pattern. For this bookmark, I made the pattern with 12 squares wide and 66 squares long. You can draw the outline and have your kid fill in the squares. Or you can invite your kid to come up with their own pattern.

Crochet 3 chain stitches for each square of the pattern + 1 chain:

wrap the yarn over the crochet hook,

grab the yarn with the hook,

pool the yarn through the chain.

For 12 squares in my pattern, crochet 37 chains (12 * 3 + 1 = 37).

Crochet first row according to the pattern: 3 chain stitches for lift (do not crochet them),

3 double stitches (1 double stitch in 1 chain) = first filled square:

wrap the yarn over the crochet hook,

insert the hook into the fourth chain from the hook (3 loops on hook),

wrap the yarn over the crochet hook,

pull back through the chain (3 loops on hook),

wrap the yarn over the crochet hook,

pull through two loops and you get two loops on the hook,

wrap the yarn over the crochet hook,

pull the hook through the remaining two loops.

2 chain stitches + 1 double stitch (skip 2 chains of the foundation chains) = white square.

Continue crocheting in rows according to the pattern:

crochet 3 double crochet stitches instead of every filled square;

2 chain stitches + 1 double stitch (skipping 2 chains of the previous raw) instead of every white square.

Continue crocheting according to the pattern from bottom to top.

Work in rows, start every row with 3 chain = lift.

At the end of the pattern finish of crochet but do not cut the yarn.

Continue crocheting:

5 chains for a lift,

crochet 7 bullion stitches in one stitch: wrap yarn around the crochet hook and pull through all loops.

* Skip 3 stitches,

1 single crochet:

insert the hook into the chain,

wrap the yarn over the crochet hook,

pull the yarn back through,

draw up a loop on the crochet hook (two loops on hook),

wrap the yarn over the crochet hook,

pull yarn back through both loops on the hook.

Skip 3 stitches,

8 bullion stitches in one stitch.

Repeat from * 3 times.

Continue crocheting the side of the bookmark with single crochet.

Continue crocheting the bottom of the bookmark like the top in the step 6.

Continue crocheting the another side of the bookmark like in the step 7.

Crochet slip stitches to move on the top of the first arch.

* 8 bullion stitches in one stitch between two arches, 3 single crochets on the top of the next arch.

Repeat from * 2 times.

Crochet slip stitches to move on the corner of the bookmark.

Finish of crochet.

Cut the yarn, leaving a small end.

Hide the end of the yarn inside bullion stitches (see photos).

Dye the bookmark (optional).

Starch the bookmark:

mix well 1 part corn starch to 6 parts water until the cornstarch is totally dissolved;

soak the bookmark in the liquid.

Then using a ruler or the markings on the blocking mat to get a uniform shape pin it into place on a blocking mat.

Let the bookmark dry, unpin it.

Iron it through a piece of white paper.