Vandyke Edge with Square Mesh from The Lady's Manual of Fancy-Work

In 1858, Mrs. Matilda Marian Pullan published The Lady's Manual of Fancy-Work: a complete instructor in every variety of ornamental needle-work. I thought the first edging, a Vandyke edge, she listed  on page 91 would be simple to make.  After all, she gave numbers which is more than Isabella Beeton did.  I did not find it that easy. 

I finally had to get graph paper and sketch out what she was wanting me to do.  Even then, I had to undo the last 12 rows 3 or 4 times before I could figure out how to net a straight vertical side.

Here are the instructions as I finally figured them out.

All the netting was done with a #3 knitting needle used the mesh stick.

First Vandyke with Straight, Vertical Side

Row 1: Net 2 more knots in the foundation loop, leaving a 4-6" tail. (2 loops in the row)

Row 2: Net 1 kot in the first loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (3 loops in the row)

Row 3: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (4 loops in the row)

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

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

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

Row 7: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row)

Row 8: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (9 loops in the row)

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

Row 10: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (11 loops in the row)

Row 11: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (12 loops in the row)

Row 12: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (13 loops in the row)

Row 13: Net 1 knot in each loop. (13 loops in the row)

Row 14: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (14 loops in the row)

Row 15: Net 1 knot in each loop. (14 loops in the row)

Row 16: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (15 loops in the row)

Row 17: Net 1 knot in each loop. (15 loops in the row)

Row 18: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (16 loops in the row)

Row 19: Net 1 knot in each loop. (16 loops in the row)

Row 20: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (17 loops in the row)

Row 21: Net 1 knot in each loop. (17 loops in the row)

Row 22: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (18 loops in the row)

Row 23: Net 1 knot in each loop. (18 loops in the row)

Row 24: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (19 loops in the row)

Row 25: Net 1 knot in each loop. (19 loops in the row)

Row 26: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (20 loops in the row)

Row 27: Net 1 knot in each loop for 13 loops, leave 7 loops without a knot, turn the netting. (13 loops in the row)


Second Vandyke

Row 28: Working on the loops just formed, net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (14 loops in the row)

Row 29: Net 1 knot in each loop. (14 loops in the row)

Row 30: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (15 loops in the row)

Row 31: Net 1 knot in each loop. (15 loops in the row)

Row 32: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (16 loops in the row)

Row 33: Net 1 knot in each loop. (16 loops in the row)

Row 34: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (17 loops in the row)

Row 35: Net 1 knot in each loop. (17 loops in the row)

Row 36: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (18 loops in the row)

Row 37: Net 1 knot in each loop. (18 loops in the row)

Row 38: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (19 loops in the row)

Row 39: Net 1 knot in each loop. (19 loops in the row)

Row 40: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (20 loops in the row)

Row 41: Net 1 knot in each loop for 13 loops, leave 7 loops without a knot, turn the netting. (13 loops in the row)


For a longer piece repeat Rows 28-41 to add each additional Vandyke.

Final Vandyke with Straight, Vertical Side

Rows 42-43: Net 1 knot in each loop. (13 loops in each row)

Row 44: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (12 loops in the row)

Row 45: Net 1 knot in each loop. (12 loops in the row)

Row 46: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (11 loops in the row)

Row 47: Net 1 knot in each loop. (11 loops in the row)

Row 48: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (10 loops in the row)

Row 49: Net 1 knot in each loop. (10 loops in the row)

Row 50: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (9 loops in the row)

Row 51: Net 1 knot in each loop. (9 loops in the row)

Row 52: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (8 loops in the row)

Row 53: Net 1 knot in each loop. (8 loops in the row)

Row 54: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (7 loops in the row)


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.