A 9 by 9 Square of Square-Mesh Netting - Starting from the Middle

I was intrigued by the concept of starting in the middle of a square of square-mesh netting and achieving a square.  The first time I made it, I used the same size mesh stick all the way through. That created a noticeable, wide zig-zag row through the middle of the square. That row is bigger because the loops formed in the first row also include the knots that fasten it to the foundation loop. When the foundation loop is removed, the loops expand as the knots is untied.

To solve the problem, I used two mesh sticks, one slightly smaller than the other. The smaller mesh stick or knitting needle will be used for the first row only. (The larger the cord or thread, the greater the difference needs to be.)

When I remade this sample, I made it with size 5 crochet thread, and used a #8 and a #6 knitting needle.

Here are my instructions for creating this piece of square-mesh netting.


Before starting the actual netting:

1. Fill a netting needle or shuttle with thread or cord.
2. Attach it to a foundation loop.  To do this:
1. Tie a slip knot in the thread or cord coming from the needle or shuttle.  Leaving a tail, at least 2 to 3 inches.
2. Slip the foundation-loop cord through the slipknot.
3. Tie the foundation-loop cord into a circle thereby creating a foundation loop.
4. Tighten the slipknot.
3. Attach the foundation loop to a tension device.
4. Choose a mesh stick.

 

Square with Selvage Edges – 9 x 9 squares  

Start the Square:
Row 1:  Using the smaller mesh stick, net 10 more 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:  Using the larger mesh stick, net 1 knot into each loop.
Row 3:  Using the larger mesh stick, net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net those last 2 loops together.

Continue by repeating row three. Each row will have one less loop than the previous row.  When there are only 2 loop on a row, net those two loops together without using a mesh stick.

Cut the thread, remove the netting from the foundation loop, and remove the knots from the top of the loops in row one. Run the foundation-loop cord through one of the other rows of netting. Tie the thread from the netting needle to the loose thread at the end of row one.

To finish the square:

Repeat Row 3.
Continue by repeating row 3. Each row will have one loop less than the previous row.
When there are only 2 loop on a row, net those two loops together without using a mesh stick.