'Intermeshing' is the term we give to the technique of making two or more Filet Crochet Mesh fabrics simultaneously, so that, although they retain their separate identity and structural integrity, they are permanently 'intermeshed' with each other.

'Double Filet' involves two such fabrics; 'Triple Filet' involves three … and so on. There is no theoretical limit to the number of fabrics which may be combined and intermeshed in this way, but even three are quite fiddly to deal with! More sophisticated patterns and effects may be created when the different layers are not identical and/or not plain/simple meshes

Although the structure of these multiple fabrics mostly resembles weaving, we do not use the 'W' word in this context, because the term 'Woven' Crochet means something else – a crochet fabric used as a 'ground' into which lengths of chain or strands of yarn are 'woven' afterwards by hand using a tapestry needle

The intermeshing technique results in a fabric which is not like any other crochet, including Traditional Filet; it is more stretchy and flexible both lengthwise and widthwise, more like knitted fabric

Examples of Intermeshing

1 – Double Filet

Layer 1 is white; layer 2 is black. The filet mesh pattern of each layer is identical and quite plain, consisting of alternate single chains and treble (US='double') crochet stitches.

The amazing variety of these patterns arises out of the way each stitch of each layer is 'intermeshed' with the other layer at the time it is made

2 – Double Filet

Layer 1 is pale grey; in layer 2 the colours change every few rows

3 – Double Filet

Two variegated yarns are used here; they are different, but some of the colours of each are similar, which disguises the pattern

4 – Double Filet

A variegated yarn is used for layer 1; a plain coloured yarn, which matches one of the colours in the variegated yarn, is used for layer 2

5 – Double Filet Sweater

The sweater is made in strips – plain dark colours are used for one layer and plain pale colours for the other – each strip has different patterns which are constantly changing … but not at the same time as the colours in each layer are changed. This creates a geometric stained-glass effect

6 – Triple Filet

A different plain yarn is used for each layer here. The mesh structure is plain and identical for each layer; this time the mesh 'cell' has 2 chains and the vertical stitch is a double-treble (US=treble)