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Netting: Concepts in Shaping a Net
Once you learn how to make a basic knot for netting, making your net the shape you want it
becomes the next big challenge. It is especially confusing since in most cases you will be
making the net as a series of diamonds, but want the end result to be viewed as squares. To
gradually get used to the concept, we will first work on shapes that stay diamonds (like tubular
netting) and then learn how to form flat shapes.
Tubular Netting
This type of netting can be very useful for fishnets on circular frames, bags and hairnets. To
make tubular netting, you net onto a starter cord, and once you have enough knots for a
foundation row you knot onto the first loop you made and continue in a spiral.
Exercise 1: Basic Tube (spiral)
Take about 6 in (15 cm) of cord and tie the ends together to make a starter loop. Hang it over
something (hook, stick with notch, etc.) so it can rotate as you work. Tie the netting thread
onto the starter loop.
Knot onto the starter loop, spreading out the knots and rotating the loop as you work until you
get back to your starting knot. Whenever 10 or more loops build up on the gauge you will want
to remove your gauge to spread out the loops, and then re-insert it only in the last 1-2 loops
before continuing to knot. Continue until you have enough loops to make it around the starter
loop.
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Then knot onto the first loop you made. The first loop of the second row will be much larger
than the others, since the thread has to travel from the first row to the second row in addition to
connecting to the next loop. Continue around knotting into each loop in a spiral. After a few
rows the join should no longer be noticeable.
Exercise 2: Increasing
Make 2 knots in every loop from the previous row.
OR net into the meshes from the row BEFORE the previous row. This is the increase method
found on extant hairnets. It is more difficult to master, but makes for a less jarring change in
the net density.
Exercise 3: Decreasing
Pick up 2 loops from the previous row in every knot.
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Flat Shapes
Flat shapes are used for lacis lace, rectangular fishing nets, etc. First we'll look at how the
diamonds naturally look when pulled into squares, and then learn how to make a square or
rectangle.
Some general rules are:
Make one more knot on your first row than you think you need.
The first loop of a new row will always be larger than the other loops because it has to
travel from the previous row
Increasing and decreasing for a flat shape are always done at the end of the row
When done, stair-step outside lines will be a single thread or loop, and straight lines will
contain doubled or tripled threads (collapsed loops)
It is impossible to create some shapes exactly; if dealing with a complicated shape,
make the netting larger than you need and then cut off excess if necessary and bind the
outside edge to the correct shape with a buttonhole stitch.
Exercise 4: 5x6 Diamond
Make a new starter cord as in Exercise 1.
Row 1: Tie on your netting thread and make three additional knots onto the starter cord.
Rows 2-7: Turn your work and knot into each of the existing loops.
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Flatten and stretch the work until the diamonds are squares.
Note that the edges stair-step. Also note that the shape is not a completely symmetrical
diamond; that would be more difficult because you would need to adjust the shape at the ends
of the rows. "Ins" happen naturally at the beginning of rows, and "outs" happen naturally at the
ends of rows, so a shape where some rows have "ins" at both ends or "outs" at both ends is
not easily possible.
Exercise 5: 4x5 Square
Make a new starter cord as in Exercise 1.
Row 1: Tie on the netting thread and make 2 additional knots onto the starter cord.
Rows 2-5: Turn your work and knot onto each of the existing loops. Increase at the end of
each row by making 2 knots in the last loop.
Rows 6-9: Continue to turn your work and knot into each loop, but this time Decrease at the
end of each row by knotting the last two loops into one knot.
Row 10: You should only have two loops left. Knot those two loops together without using the
gauge. Flatten out the shape. You should have a 4x5 Square.
Note that the edges become double thick; each increase at the end flattens out rather than
becoming a new square.
Exercise 6: 4x8 Rectangle
Make a new starter cord as in Exercise 1.
Row 1: Tie on the netting thread and make 2 additional knots onto the starter cord.
Rows 2-5: Turn your work and knot onto each of the existing loops. Increase at the end of
each row by making 2 knots in the last loop.
Row 6: Decrease at the end of the row.
Row 7: Increase at the end of the row.
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Row 8: Decrease at the end of the row.
Row 9: Increase at the end of the row.
Rows 10-13: Decrease at the end of each row.
Row 14: You should only have two loops left. Knot those two loops together without using the
gauge. When you flatten out this shape, it should be a 4x8 rectangle.
Running out of Thread
When you run out of thread, it's best to try to hide the spot where you ran out. With flat work,
always join new threads at an edge (end of a row). I usually make a weaver's knot or lace
maker's knot as follows:
Make a somewhat loose slip knot on the end of the new thread.
Slide the old thread through the slip knot as far as possible.
Pull the slip knot tight around the old thread, and then give it an extra pull so it "pops" the
old thread through the slip knot.
Cut off ends.
When working in the round, there really is no good place to join, so only join as needed. I
found that knotting the old and new threads directly together had too much potential to come
undone, so when netting in the round I net with the old and the new thread together for at least
3 knots. This is difficult and I'd be interested to hear how others have dealt with the same
issue.
Al l content copyri ght the author, Jenni fer Munson munson.j enni fer@gmai l .com The author makes
no guarantees for i nstructi ons and reci pes on thi s si te; nei ther does she accept responsi bi l i ty for thei r
outcomes. Verbati m copi es may be made for educati onal purposes onl y provi ded they contai n
ori gi nal copyri ght marki ng.
Thi s page created August 4, 2001
Last updated August 05, 2005