Vandyke Border with Square Meshes from Guipure d'Art Netting

In 1879, Mlle. Eleonore Riego de la Branchardiere published Guipure d'Art Netting.   As she explains in her introduction: "Guipure d'Art or Cluny Lace, is formed by first making a foundation of Netting, and afterwards filling in the Meshes of the Network with various stitches formed in geometrical designs."

On pages 16 and 17 she gives a very clear description of how to net a square-mesh Vandyke border. I have not done the embroidery on the netting.

There was only one place where I did not follow her instructions.  That was at the beginning.  She starts with one loop and nets two knots into it to form two loops.  I have never been able to get that beginning to form the first square correctly.

Here is the way I worded the instructions.

Forming the first corner:

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

Row 1: Net 2 knots in the foundation loop.

Row 2: Net 1 knot in the first loop and 2 knots in the last loop.

Row 3: Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net 2 knots in the last loop.

Forming the Vandykes

Row 1: Net 1 knot in each loop. (4 loops)

Row 2: Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, net 2 knots in the last loop. (5 loops)

Row 3: Net 1 knot in each loop. (5 loops)

Row 4: Net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops, net 2 knots in the last loop. (6 loops)

Row 5: Net 1 knot in each loop. (6 loops)

Row 6: Net 1 knot in each loop for 5 loops, net 2 knots in the last loop. (7 loops)

Row 7: Net 1 knot in each loop. (7 loops)

Row 8: Net 1 knot in each loop for 6 loops, net 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops)

Row 9: Net 1 knot in each loop. (8 loops)

Row 10: Net 1 knot in each loop for 7 loops, net 2 knots in the last loop. (9 loops)

Row 11: Net 1 knot in each loop for 5 loops, turn the netting and prepare to start the next row, leaving the other 4 loops to form one side of the Vandyke.

Row 12: Net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops, net 2 knots in the last loop. (6 loops)

Repeat from Row 5 to Row 12 until the border is as long as desired.

Creating a straight edge at the end of the last Vandyke by repeating rows 5-7 and decreasing on the next 3 rows.

Row 5: Net 1 knot in each loop. (6 loops)

Row 6: Net 1 knot in each loop for 5 loops, net 2 knots in the last loop. (7 loops)

Row 7: Net 1 knot in each loop. (7 loops)

Row 8: Net 1 knot in each loop for 5 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (6 loops)

Row 9: Net 1 knot in each loop. (6 loops)

Row 10: Net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (5 loops)

Because of the way I started the netting, one more step is needed to form the first square of the netting.

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.