Antique crochet patterns can serve as sources of new ideas and inspiration for new crochet work. A particular book of interest is “The Priscilla Yoke Book, 1916” which may be found in the Antique Pattern Library.

An excellent book on the "yoke".

Using a corset-cover yoke design from page 13 of the book, in combination with filet crochet, I made this white skirt using white rayon thread.

Skirt crocheted with white rayon thread.

The hem of the skirt is based on the crocheted medallions from the yoke book. I added little blue glass beads along the hemline to add weight to the skirt, since rayon is such a soft and delicate material.

The Yoke design which I used for the skirt's hemline.

The skirt hem is composed of large and small wheels/medallions linked together, followed by two bands of beading (”beading” means a row of alternating stitches and spaces wide enough to accommodate a string or a ribbon). The two rounds of beading are different: one is composed of cross trebles whereas the other is composed of alternating crossed trebles and a group of five treble stitches. The instructions for the wheels and beading are further below. (The skirt is composed of 13 large wheels/medallions linked together. You may wish to add or subtract this number depending on the size of skirt you wish to make).

A closer view of the skirt.

The skirt is kept in place with a simple crocheted string around the hips. Earlier, I have placed very light blue ribbons through the filet crochet spaces (beading) to add a touch of color to the skirt.

The skirt with the light blue ribbon.

I learned about filet crochet through “The Priscilla Filet Crochet Book No. 2, A Collection of Beautiful Designs in Filet Crochet, Introducing Filet Crochet Brode, Embroidery on Crochet and Cameo Crochet, edited by Mrs. F.W. Kettelle, 1915.” The book may also be found in the Antique Pattern Library. Apart from this book, if you would like to learn filet crochet, you may also visit the Haas Design tutorial on filet crochet techniques.

Lacet stitch in filet crochet.

LACET STITCH - Make a foundation chain.
1st Row – Allow three chains for edge treble, two for two chains and two more for two skipped stitches. work a single stitch in the next chain, *ch 2, skip 2, tr in next, ch 2, sk 2, s st in next. repeat from * for row.
2d Row – Ch 3 for edge tr, ch 5 more, then tr in tr, *ch 5, tr in tr. repeat from * for row. Repeat two rows for the pattern.

Filet Crochet
Foundation stitches and how to make them
From J. & P. Coats Yokes and Gifts
Crochet Book No. 3 designed by Anne Orr
Published in 1919

The instructions use the UK terminology

Blocks and spaces in filet crochet.

BLOCKS (bl) – Are formed by working trebles in adjoining stitches for the required number. Where blocks are consecutive, there are four trebles in the first block and three trebles in each following block. Therefore, to find the number of trebles in a row of blocks, multiply the number of blocks by three and add one; in two blocks there are seven trebles, in three blocks, ten trebls, etc.

Filet Crochet – Blocks and Spaces

BLOCKS AND SPACES - This illustration above clearly shows the alternation of blocks and spaces in filet crochet.

Filet Crochet
Foundation stitches and how to make them
From J. & P. Coats Yokes and Gifts
Crochet Book No. 3 designed by Anne Orr
Published in 1919

The instructions use the UK terminology

Filet crochet spaces made with cotton thread.

SPACES (SP) – Are the open meshes of filet crochet. To form a space, make one treble, then chain two, skip two stitches of previous row and make another treble. This should result in a perfect square but perfection requires persistent practice as well as the correct sizes of needle and thread. for space at the beginning of a row, chain five, which allows three for the treble on the edge, and two for the usual chain, two at top of space.

Filet Crochet
Foundation stitches and how to make them
From J. & P. Coats Yokes and Gifts
Crochet Book No. 3 designed by Anne Orr
Published in 1919

The instructions use the UK terminology