Shell Border from Beeton's Book of Needlework

Beeton's Book of Needlework, by Isabella Beeton, includes a Shell Border on page 306 (item 311). This border begins with a 5-square piece of square netting. After the square netting is finished a three-row edge is then attached to one of the long sides of the square netting.

The instructions for the square-mesh netting are not included with the instructions for the Shell Border.

Here are my instructions for both the square-mesh netting and the Shell Border.

For the sample I made a square of netting that was 5 squares wide by 19 squares long.

Using a #3 knitting needle as a mesh stick, make a piece of square netting that is 5 squares wide by 19 squares long

Tie the thread from the netting needle onto the foundation loop, leaving a 6" tail.

Row 1: Net 2 knots into the foundation loop. Remove the mesh stick and turn the work so that the next row can be worked from left to right. (This will be done at the end of each row.)

Row 2: Net 1 knot into the first loop on the left; increase by netting twice into the 2nd loop.

Row 3: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last loop; net 2 knots into the last loop.

Rows 4-5: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last loop; net 2 knots into the last loop. (At the end of row 5 there will be 6 loops on the mesh stick.)

Row 6: Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 7: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last loop; net 2 knots into the last loop.

Row 8: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together.

Row 9: Net 1 knot into each loop, except the last loop; net 2 knots into the last loop.

Row 10: Net 1 knot into each loop except the last 2 loops; net them together.

Row 11: Net 1 knot into each loop, except the last loop; net 2 knots into the last loop.

Row 12: Net 1 knot into each loop except the last 2 loops; net them together.

Row 13: Net 1 knot into each loop, except the last loop; net 2 knots into the last loop.

Row 14: Net 1 knot into each loop except the last 2 loops; net them together.

Row 15 Net 1 knot into each loop, except the last loop; net 2 knots into the last loop.

Row 16: Net 1 knot into each loop except the last 2 loops; net them together.

Row 17: Net 1 knot into each loop, except the last loop; net 2 knots into the last loop.

Row 18: Net 1 knot into each loop except the last 2 loops; net them together.

Row 19: Net 1 knot into each loop, except the last loop; net 2 knots into the last loop.

Row 20: Net 1 knot into each loop except the last 2 loops; net them together.

Row 21: Net 1 knot into each loop except the last 2 loops; net them together.

Repeat row 21 until there are two loops left.

Final Row: Net the two loops together without a mesh stick. Do not cut the thread coming from the netting needle. Leave the netting needle attached to the netting.

To complete the rectangle, finish the very first corner, the one attached to the foundation loop. 

1. Remove the foundation loop from row 1 of the netting.
2. Tie the tail onto a tapestry needle, which is used in place of the netting needle.
3. Place the foundation-loop cord through another row of meshes.
4. Tie the foundation-loop cord into a circle and attach it to a tension device.
5. Net the first two loops together without using a mesh stick.

Shell Border

1. Remove the foundation loop from the tension device and the netting.
2. Turn the netting so that the netting needle, and the corner it is attached to, are on the bottom left corner.
3. Place the foundation-loop cord through the top row of squares.
4. Tie the foundation-loop cord through another row of meshes.

Row 1: using a 3/8" flat mesh stick

Net 12 loops in the first square, *skip 8 loops, net 12 knots in the next square*; repeat from * to *.

Row 2: using a #3 knitting needle

Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 3: using a #0 knitting needle

Net 1 knot in each loop.