Borders

Waves

A gentle wave band that rises and falls in a smooth, rolling line, a softer alternative to a sharp zigzag. It suits nautical and nursery pieces beautifully. Bring it into the editor to lengthen the wavelength, deepen the curve, or run two waves out of phase, then export the chart or print the repeating border sized to your gauge.

Grid
40 × 5
Difficulty
Easy
Mesh count
200
Category
Borders
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Perfect for

Skill level: easy

This sits just above an absolute beginner make. The design has a little more shaping to count, but the lines stay clean and forgiving once you settle into the rhythm.

Yarn and hook

For a crisp, doily-scale waves, reach for size 10 cotton thread and a 1.5–1.75 mm steel hook, which keeps the blocks sharp and the open mesh airy. Stick to one well-defined colour for the motif; the contrast between filled and open squares is what carries the design.

Project ideas

Use the waves as a repeating frame around a central design. It suits a runner trim and works just as well on a curtain hem. Scale the grid up for a centrepiece or tile the motif for an all-over effect.

Who it's for

Think of yourself, and occasions like edging a runner — the waves lands well for both. Pair it with letters from the alphabet set to personalise the finished piece.

Size, printing, and scaling

At a 4-mesh-per-inch gauge the chart finishes around 10.0 by 1.3 inches; a finer thread shrinks it and a heavier yarn grows it, so check your own gauge first. You can print a numbered chart as-is, or adjust the grid in the editor and export it in whichever format your project needs.

Before you start

Hook
1.5–1.75 mm steel hook
Thread / yarn
Size 10–20 cotton thread
Finished size
10.0 × 1.3 in at 4 mesh/in
  • Print or export a numbered chart from the editor
  • Have your hook and thread or yarn ready
  • 5 rows, worked bottom to top

Learn the technique

How to Read a Filet Crochet Chart

New to charts? Learn exactly how to read this one square by square.

Waves filet crochet pattern — FAQ

Can a beginner crochet the waves pattern?
It is. The waves keeps to simple shaping, so a confident beginner who can manage a double crochet and a chain will get on well with it.
Can I make the waves in more than one colour?
One colour is traditional and keeps the waves legible, though a second shade for the ground or a contrasting edge both work nicely.
Can I resize the waves chart?
It resizes cleanly — adjust the grid in the editor, crop, or repeat it. The ON/OFF cell model means the waves stays crochet-ready at any size.
What can I make with the waves pattern?
It works well as a repeating frame around a central design — think a runner trim or a curtain hem, and it is a natural choice for a coordinated trim.
How many stitches is the waves pattern?
The chart is 40 by 5 squares — 200 mesh in total, about 80 of them filled. At 4 mesh per inch that finishes roughly 10.0 by 1.3 inches.

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