French Crochet Mesh: Openwork Stitch Video Tutorial

Things you will learn

French crochet mesh is a simple openwork stitch close to filet mesh, and visually resembles a fishing net.
The source teaches the technique mainly through video, so it's best to watch the clip for the exact stitch sequence and repeat it right away on a swatch.
The main risk for beginners is a change in tension: as your hand settles into a rhythm, the fabric can narrow or widen.
The pattern is versatile: it's used for beach tunics, market bags, shawls, summer garments, and joining Irish crochet lace motifs.
You can add beads into the mesh's chain spaces if it suits the project and the thread thickness.

What You'll Get

After practicing the pattern you'll have an openwork mesh with repeating chain-space arches. You can crochet it as a standalone fabric for a beach piece or use it as a connecting mesh between decorative motifs.

Materials and tools

Materials

Yarn or thread for the swatch, For your first swatch, choose a clearly visible thread so it's easy to count the arches and rows.
Beads, optional, You can crochet them into the center of the arches if the project calls for a decorative effect.
Yarn for your finished project, For a tunic, shawl, cardigan, or market bag, it's best to check gauge with a separate swatch.

Tools

A hook of a suitable size, Choose the hook based on the thread and how open you want the mesh.
Markers or contrasting thread, These help mark the edges and keep the fabric width consistent.
Ruler or measuring tape, Needed to check swatch width at the start and after a few rows.

Files and resources

Video lesson: French crochet mesh The main crochet sequence is shown in the author's video.
Video lesson: French crochet mesh

Preparation

Start with a swatch, not the project

The discussion includes an important observation: as you practice, your stitches can become tighter and more even, which changes the fabric's width. So crochet a small swatch first, and only then move on to a tunic, shawl, or bag.

Decide what the mesh is for

A beach tunic needs one kind of drape, a market bag needs another, and Irish lace needs a neat, unobtrusive joining function. The intended use determines your thread, hook, and gauge.

Understand the Principle of French Mesh

The source describes the pattern as a variation of filet mesh, resembling a fishing net.

Watch the whole video first

Before you start crocheting, watch the clip once without stopping: notice how the author turns the work, where the chain-space arches form, and how the overall rhythm of the mesh is kept. The source doesn't include a full text chart, so the video remains the main technical reference.

Don't replace the video with an invented chart

This text helps you prepare and check your work, but take the exact hook movements from the author's video.

Decide what you need the mesh for

For a summer beach tunic or cardigan, the mesh should be airy and drapey. For a market bag, think about durability in advance. For Irish lace, the mesh can work as a light connection between motifs.

Tip from the discussion

Commenters noted that this pattern works well in Irish lace, stoles, and summer pieces, and that beads can be added to the center of the arches.

Crochet a Test Swatch

A swatch makes it easier to see the gauge, how even the arches are, and how your chosen thread behaves.

Choose a clear thread and a matching hook

For your first practice, avoid thread that's too thin or too slippery. It's important to see every arch and edge clearly so it's easier to repeat the back-and-forth rows from the video.

Repeat the video in short segments

Crochet a small section, pause the video, and check whether the arches look even. After every turn, check whether the edge width has changed.

Check the width

The discussion shows that beginners' tension can change within a single project. Measure the swatch width at the start and after a few rows.

Even out your tension before starting the project

If the first rows are loose and the following ones become tighter, keep practicing on the swatch. This is especially noticeable in mesh: a change in tension changes the size of the cells and the width of the fabric.

Apply the Pattern to a Project

Once the swatch is even, you can move the mesh into a specific project.

Pick a project that matches the mesh's properties

For a beach tunic, summer cardigan, or shawl, lightness is what matters. For a market bag, durability matters. For joining motifs, the mesh shouldn't pull the pieces too tight or sag between them.

Add beads only after the swatch

If you want a decorative version, try crocheting beads into the center of the arches on a small piece first. This way you'll see whether they weigh down the fabric or throw off the mesh's rhythm.

Idea from the discussion

Beads in the center of the arches look great, but check their weight and placement on a swatch first.

Finish and variations

Finish

An even swatch

Before starting the project, the mesh should keep a consistent width and similar arch size across the whole test piece.

Ready for a project

Once the swatch is stable, you can move the pattern into a tunic, market bag, shawl, cardigan, or a connecting mesh for Irish lace.

Variations

Irish Crochet Lace

As suggested in the discussion, French mesh can be used as an airy way to join motifs.

Mesh with Beads

Beads can be placed in the center of the arches, but only after checking the weight and gauge on a swatch.

Summer Garments and Accessories

The pattern works well for beach tunics, summer cardigans, shawls, stoles, and market bags.

Troubleshooting

The fabric narrows or widens

Problem

The mesh comes out a different width at the start and end of the swatch.

Likely cause

As you practice, your gauge changes: stitches become tighter or more even.

How to fix it

Don't jump straight into a large project. Crochet a swatch, measure the width after a few rows, and keep practicing until your tension is stable.

The mesh is too loose

Problem

The arches sag and the fabric doesn't hold its shape.

Likely cause

The hook is too large for the thread, or your tension is too loose.

How to fix it

Try a smaller hook or a firmer thread. For a market bag or connecting mesh, check the durability on a swatch first.

The mesh became stiff

Problem

The pattern lost its airiness and doesn't drape well.

Likely cause

Your stitches are too tight, or the hook is too small for the thread.

How to fix it

Make a second swatch with a looser hook. Drape matters for a beach tunic, shawl, or stole.

The edges come out uneven

Problem

After the back-and-forth rows, the edge looks wavy or drifts to one side.

Likely cause

The row turn or the number of arches along the edge gets thrown off.

How to fix it

Crochet along with the video in short segments and check the edge after every turn. A marker at the edge helps you keep track of where the row starts.

The beads weigh down the mesh

Problem

The decoration pulls the arches down or makes the fabric stiff.

Likely cause

The beads are too heavy for the thread, or they're placed too close together.

How to fix it

Check the beads on a swatch first. Use smaller beads or space them out more if the mesh loses its shape.

FAQ

Is this a filet mesh?

The source describes French mesh as a variation of filet mesh. Visually it also resembles a fishing net.

Is the pattern suitable for beginners?

Yes, the source presents the lesson directly as beginner material. But it's better to start with a swatch, since beginners' tension often changes as they practice.

Where can you use French mesh?

The source mentions beach tunics and market bags. The discussion added shawls, stoles, summer garments, cardigans, and joining Irish crochet lace motifs.

Can you crochet it with threads of different thicknesses?

Yes. The discussion noted that the pattern works with threads of different thicknesses, even very fine ones. But for each option you should crochet a swatch and check the gauge.

Can you add beads?

Yes, commenters suggested crocheting beads into the center of the arches. It's best to test this on a swatch so the beads don't weigh down the mesh.

KoschkaJul 8

Oh, when I remember my first openwork blouse with the mesh, I could just cry! I started crocheting, and as I worked I got the hang of it - the stitches became tighter and more even, so the blouse ended up 10 cm narrower at the bottom than at the top. But! I still found a use for it (I just couldn't bring myself to unravel it!). I figured out a pillowcase for a couch cushion and gave it to my sister. I think it's still stored somewhere to this day)))

Anna GriJul 13

There's a whole sea of ways to use this mesh! I used it in Irish crochet lace to join motifs, and it makes lovely airy stoles and summer pieces. You can crochet beads into the center of the arches. And the main thing - the pattern is simple and works with threads of any thickness, right down to fine spool thread.

Thank you, yes, a very simple and versatile pattern, and it looks even better with beads!

MamakrinkaJul 8

I think every one of us made our first attempts at crocheting openwork pieces with exactly this mesh. Remember those big doilies from Polish magazines in the 90s? I think half the chart of every doily was made of exactly this mesh 😕

Exactly, exactly)) I kept thinking where I'd seen this before, and it turns out it was at a crochet club back in my teens.

French Crochet Mesh: Openwork Stitch Pattern in Back-and-Forth Rows

Things you will learn

What You'll Get