| Netting can be
done with a netting needle for small netting spaces or a netting shuttle
for larger netting spaces. The size of the mesh stick used determines the
size of the netting space. Experiment with different sizes to find your
preference for your particular project.
Netting can be used to create shopping bags,
hairnets, fishing nets, hammocks, or backgrounds for filet lace. The size
of the mesh stick you use and the size and type of threads you use will
determine how your finished project will look. Threads can be anything
from bobbin thread to kite string, twine and rope, depending on the final
purpose of your project.
Threading the shuttle: There is a
variety of different netting shuttles. Below are two types. Do not
overfill the shuttles. Too much string will make it too bulky to pass
through the meshes. |
| 1. Stick Netting Shuttle.
Wind the thread around the shuttle lengthwise, making sure the thread goes
into the slot on each end. |
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| 2. Fish Netting Shuttle. Hold
the string against the body of the shuttle. Run the string up and around
the prong and down the same side of the body. Then around the bottom heel
between the two projections, up the back of the shuttle and around the
prong again. Continue until the shuttle is filled. |
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| Starting the netting:
Netting always starts with a foundation loop. Take a length of the string,
fold it over, and make a slip knot. The loop above the knot will be the
foundation loop. The loose end of the string will be woven into the mesh
(for a round item leave the loose end of the string longer than you plan
to make the item). Hook the loop over a nail, doorknob, or other
stationary object to provide tension. |
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| Making the
netting knot on the foundation: Place the mesh stick below the knot
and in front of the loose end (short end) of the string. Bring the working
end of the string (string from the shuttle) over the front of the mesh
stick, then under and behind the stick. |
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| Now pass the
working string through the foundation loop from the back to the front.
Hold the string in place at the top of the mesh stick and take the string
to the left, then to the right (forming a loop on the left side of the
foundation loop), staying in front of the foundation loop. |
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| Take the string
around the right side to the back to the front through the loop you made
on the left side. |
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| Bring the working string down in front of the
mesh stick, making certain that the netting knot has seated itself
correctly next to the slip knot. |
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| Continue in this
fashion until you have the desired number of loops on the foundation loop.
Continue to the round or square netting instructions. |
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| Round netting
(such as for a bag or doily) |
| Remove the mesh stick. Pass
the loose string through the remaining foundation loop. Gently pull the
string until the foundation loop tightens and the mesh forms a circle.
Tie the loose end and the working string in a
square or reef knot close to the top next to the netting knots. |
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| To form your last loop tie
the loose end and the working string together in an overhand knot even
with the lower edge of the other loops. |
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| To keep the
tension, tie the center to a stationary item. A small disk or button works
well, as the project can rotate as you work.
Place the mesh stick under the overhand knot
with the loose string behind the mesh stick and the working string in
front of the mesh stick.
Make a netting knot on the first loop.
Continue making netting knots in each loop until you reach the end of the
row (see Netting Knot on rows). (See Increase Knot and
Decrease Knot to increase or decrease the length of the row). Make
your last loop by tying the loose end and the working string together in
an overhand knot, even with the lower edge of the other loops. |
| Continue making
rows until your mesh is the size you wanted. If your project is flat,
finish it off with the overhand knot. If your project is not flat (such as
a bag), then you may wish to make your last row of loops the same as the
desired width of the diamond spaces created and use a decorative knot on
this row to spruce up the edge (see Decorative Edges) or to attach
a handle (see Bag Handles). |
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| Square or
Rectangle Netting: Start with
one loop on your foundation. Turn mesh over so the working string is to
your left. Place the mesh stick below the loop with the working string on
top of the stick. Make the first knot in the first loop (include the
working string coming down from the above knot into the new knot). |
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| Continue making
netting knots in each loop until you reach the end of the row (see
making the netting knot on rows). Always turn mesh over before
starting a new row so the working string is to your left. Increase each
row at the end of the row until your mesh is the width you desire (see
Increase Knot). Then start increasing at the end of one row and
decreasing at the end of the next row until the desired length of your
mesh is achieved (see Decrease Knot). The decrease at the end of
every row until only two loops remain. Pass string through both loops and
tie together with a double knot and clip off the excess string.. |
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| Making the
netting knots on rows: Place the
mesh stick below the knots with the working string over the front of the
mesh stick, then under and behind the stick.
Now pass the working string through the
next mesh loop, of the above row, from the back to the front. Hold the
string in place at the top of the mesh stick and take the string to the
left, then to the right (forming a loop on the left side of the mesh
loop), staying in front of the mesh loop.
Take the string around the right side to
the back of the mesh loop, then back to the front through the loop you
made on the left side.
Continue creating new loops until you
reach the end of the row (see Round Netting or Square Netting
for instructions on going to a new row). |
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| Increasing
Knots: Place the mesh stick
below the knots with the working string over the front of the mesh stick,
then under and behind the stick.
Now pass the working string through the
next mesh loop, of the above row, from the back to the front. Pass over
the front of the mesh stick again, then under and behind the stick. Now
pass the working string through the same mesh loop, of the above row, from
the back to the front. Hold the string in place at the top of the mesh
stick and take the string to the left, then to the right (forming a loop
on the left side of the mesh loop), staying in front of the mesh loop.
Take the string around the right side to
the back of the mesh loop, then back to the front through the loop you
made on the left side. |
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| Decreasing
Knots: Place the mesh stick
below the knots with the working string over the front of the mesh stick,
then under and behind the stick.
Now pass the working string through the
next two mesh loops, of the above row, from the back to the front. Hold
the string in place at the top of the mesh stick and take the string to
the left, then to the right (forming a loop on the left side of the mesh
loop), staying in front of the loop.
Take the string around the right side to
the back of the mesh loop, then back to the front through the loop you
made on the left side. |
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| Attaching new
string: If your project is
square or rectangle, it is best to attach new string at the end of a row.
If your project is round you can attach a new string anywhere. There are a
variety of ways to attach a new string.
1. Make a loose slip knot on the end of
the new string. Slide the old thread through the slip knot as far as
possible. Pull the slip knot tight around the old string, and then give it
an extra pull so it "pops" the old string through the slip know. Cut off
the ends.
2. Finish the old string with a netting
knot as usual. With the new string, work another netting knot into the
same mesh, directly above the knots made with the old string. Cut off
ends.
3. Continue with the old string and the
new string as one for three or four more knots. Then cut off ends.
Decorative edges:
Edges can be finished in any way you
imagine. They can be left as is for a simple look or just sew some webbing
along the edge. Knots can also be used to finish an edge.
Try using a double half-hitch knot. Pass
working string over and around top string, leaving a small loop at left,
then bring string through loop from back to front. Then pass working
string under and around top string, then down through loop created in
front. Pull tight. Repeat this step until edge is complete. |
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| Handles:
Handles can also be made with web or string.
For webbing, just fold the end of the webbing under the loop to the back
and up. Sew along the end of the webbing through both layers.
With string tie a knot on a loop. Take the
working string to the opposite side of the bag and tie a knot to another
loop, leaving the string long enough for a handle. Return to the opposite
side and tie another knot in the loop beside the first knot, then back
across, and tie a knot in the loop beside the second knot. You should now
have two strings going from one side of your bag to the other side. If you
would like a thicker handle, continue adding strings. To finish off, start
at one end and tie double-half hitch knots, or any other knot desired,
along the handle until you reach the opposite end. Clip string ends. |
