The crochet mesh stitch is a very handy stitch to have in your crochet stitches repertoire. It is a wonderfully easy way to create a lacy look, without any complicated stitches! Crochet mesh patterns result in an open and airy fabric with a mesh-like look, with open areas separated by solid stitches.

Crochet Mesh Stitch, Mesh Stitch Patterns

Crochet Mesh Stitch Tutorial

In this article, I will show you how to crochet mesh stitch in a square pattern or filet, as well as the diamond mesh stitch. I will also show you how to crochet mesh stitches in the round so they can be used for doilies and the base of bags.

What is Mesh Stitch?

A mesh stitch is a crochet stitch used to create an open mesh appearance in crochet projects. It can also be called a net crochet pattern or net stitch.

The crochet mesh stitch pattern is frequently used in a wide variety of projects, including scarves, shawls, blankets, crochet market bags, and other articles of clothing, such as tops and cardigans.

It is great for market bags as it stretches to accommodate all your shopping, and is wonderful for beach wraps as it makes a light, cool cover-up.

Using crochet mesh patterns, you can make crochet items that are one-of-a-kind by experimenting with different combinations of stitch height, spacing, and yarn.

The basic mesh or net stitch is also the foundation of filet crochet. In filet crochet, you have some “empty” blocks, and some “filled” blocks.

Supplies for Mesh Stitch

The mesh stitch design can be crocheted with any yarn weight and a crochet hook size for that yarn. If you want your mesh to be light and airy, a thinner yarn will work well.

For a sample swatch, try a worsted weight yarn with a 5 mm crochet hook.

You will also need to have a pair of scissors and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Abbreviations for Mesh Stitch

ch = chain stitch crochet
dc = double crochet stitch
st (s) = stitch(es)
sk = skip
rep = repeat
sl st = slip stitch crochet
sp = space

All instructions for mesh pattern crochet are written in US terms.

Skill Level

Learning how to crochet mesh stitch is easy enough for beginners, but it also gives more experienced crocheters a chance to show off their creative skills.

Mesh Stitch Crochet Pattern, Step by Step Instructions

Here are the written instructions for how to crochet mesh stitch. This first mesh pattern is a square mesh crochet stitch.

Foundation row: Chain an even number of stitches.
Do 1 double crochet into the 6^th chain from the hook.

Chain 1, skip a stitch, double crochet into the next stitch.

Repeat step 3 to the end of the row.

Turn and chain 4. (This counts as dc +ch1.)
Double crochet into the top of the second double crochet along from the previous row.

* Chain 1, dc into each dc across the row, chain 1, skip a stitch.
Repeat from * to the end of the row.
The final dc is worked into the 3^rd chain of your turning chain.

Repeat row from step 5 until the work is the required size.

Mesh Stitch in the Round

You can also work mesh stitch in a circle to create items such as doilies, water bottle covers, or round placemats.

Round 1:

Start with chain 5, and join into a ring with slip stitch.
Chain 3 (counts as 1st dc), work 11 dc into the ring. (12 stitches)
Join the round with a slip stitch.

Round 2:

Chain3,
1 dc in-between each dc of the first round, ch1 between each dc.
End with slip stitch into the 2^nd of the 3 chains.
Slip stitch to the next space.

Round 3:

Chain 3,
2 dc into each chain space, chain1 between each dc.
Chain 1, slip stitch to 2^nd of the 3 chains, slip stitch to next space.

Round 4:

(Ch3, 1 dc) into the same space. (Ch1, dc) into the next space.
(Ch 1, 2dc) into the next space with chain 1 in between.
Continue alternating between 1 dc and 2 dc in each space around.
Join with slip stitch as before.

Round 5:

(Ch 3, 1 dc) into the same space.
Then 2 dc into each space, with chain 1 in between.

If your circle starts to ruffle a little at this stage, don’t worry, it will improve as your circle gets larger.

This gradual and uniform increase in each row prevents the circle from curling up into a cup shape. Make your circle as large as desired, increasing with each round. Remember to chain 1 between each double crochet!

How to Increase Mesh Stitch

Work your mesh stitch up to the point where you wish to increase.

Crochet your turning chain (3 ch), then work another dc into the first stitch.
Continue with ch1, sk next ch, dc into top of next dc. Carry on to the end of the row.
When you get to the last turning ch, work 2 dc into that last stitch.
Turn, ch3, dc into first dc, ch1, dc into the very next dc right next to the first one. Continue with pattern as normal.
At the end of the row, dc into 2^nd last dc, ch1, dc into last stitch.

Carry on in this way until you have increased enough stitches.

How to Decrease Mesh Stitch

Decreasing in crochet mesh stitch is worked over 2 rows. Work your mesh stitch up to the point where you wish to decrease.

Decrease Row 1: Crochet your turning ch (3ch) work dc into the 2nd dc. This will narrow the width of your row. Work across the row to your last 2 dc sts. 1 dc into second last st, 1 dc into last st. (No ch1 in between).
Decrease Row 2: Turn, ch3 turning ch. Skip the next dc, ch1, dc into next dc. Continue across the row to the last 2 dc sts. Skip that second last dc st, ch1, dc into last turning ch st.

Continue until you have decreased as many times as needed.

How to Crochet Diamond Mesh Stitch

This is just as easy as regular crochet mesh stitch, but has a slightly different appearance, and is more stretchy than conventional mesh stitch. It uses single crochet instead of double crochet, and is not at all related to filet crochet!

Foundation Chain: Make a chain with a multiple of 4 + 3 links.
Row 1: Skip 1 chain, single crochet in the next stitch, chain 5, skip 3, single crochet in the next stitch across row, repeat across row, turn.

Row 2: Chain 5, sc in each chain-5 gap across row to final loop, turn.

Row 3: *Chain 5, sc in each chain-5 space across row, repeat from *.
Row 3 should be repeated for the rest of the pattern. Check that you have the same number of loops in each row!

This stitch is perfect for making market bags, as it is so very stretchy!

Diamond Mesh Stitch in the Round

If you plan to make some kind of market bag or beach bag, you will need to work your crochet mesh stitch in the round. You will need the base of the bag to be a crochet flat circle. Then to work up the sides, you will be working a tube of mesh stitch. Here is how to do this:

Flat circle for Diamond Mesh Stitch

This makes the base of a bag, a mandala, or a doily if you would like to make something along those lines.

To begin, chain 4 and sl st into the first chain to form a ring.
Round 1: chain 2, (counts as 1 dc), 15 dc into ring, sl st into top of 3 chain to join. (16 stitches)

Round 2: Chain 6, sc into the next stitch, *chain 5, sc into the next stitch. Repeat from * until the final stitch 14 times. Chain 3, then sc into the third stitch of the initial 8 chain. (16 loops)

Round 3: Chain 5, sc into the middle of round 2's first loop. Repeat until you have 15 loops total, then chain 3 and sc into the top of the final sc from round 2.
Repeat the third round in round 4. Continue in this way until your circle/ base is large enough.

Diamond Crochet Mesh Stitch in the Round

Uses of the Mesh Stitch

Whether you're making a delicate lace blanket, a light summer cover-up, or a useful market bag, the crochet mesh stitch gives your projects a touch of elegance and lets them breathe. It's a method that can be used to make both useful and artistic things, letting you show off your own style and tastes.

How to Crochet a Doily with Mesh Stitch

If you want to make a doily or a mandala, crochet a circle using the diamond mesh stitch in the round, up to round 6. You can now create a pretty border around the circle, similar to this:

Round 7: *Work 6 dc into the previous round's 5 chain loop. Work (1 dc, 1 picot, 2 dc, 1 picot, 2 dc, 1 picot, 1 x dc) into the next 65chain loop. {Picot = 3 ch, 1 sl st into first ch}
Repeat from * all the way round. When you return to the beginning, sl st into the top of the first dc to join. Weave in the ends.

That completes your mandala or doily. You could mount this mandala as a crochet wall hanging in a hoop; it could also be a coaster, table mat, or just a standard doily.

Mesh Stitch for a Bag

If you are making a bag with crochet mesh stitch, you need to continue working up the sides in a tube shape.

Base of Bag

Create a flat round base using the diamond mesh stitch.

Sides of bag

Side Round 1: Ch 1, sc in the same st, *ch 5, sk 3 chs, sc in the third st of 5 ch loop,* repeat all the way round is finished.
Keep working in rounds in this manner, without increasing any loops until your bag is the length you want. As soon as you stop increasing, the crochet will start “cupping”

This bag can have many uses, such as a beach bag, plastic bag holder, yoga mat bag, plant holder, bottle holder, and anything similar.

Crochet Mesh Stitch - In Conclusion

The crochet mesh stitch is a great technique that lets crocheters make fabrics that look like mesh and are open and airy. It has many different looks and textures depending on the yarn you choose, so it can be used for many different crochet projects.

So grab your crochet hook, pick your best yarn, and let your imagination run wild as you start your crochet journey with the interesting and versatile crochet mesh stitch. Enjoy your crocheting!