A Square Frame of Square-mesh Netting - Outer Edge is 11 by 11 squares; Inner Edge is 5 by 5 squares

The final pattern I was looking for was a frame of square-mesh netting. A square frame was shown in the Encyclopedia of Needlework by Therese De Dillmont. The size of the square and the opening in the center depends on the thread and mesh sticks used. The thicker the thread or larger the mesh stick is, the larger the square will be for the same number of square-meshes.  Lacis or net embroidery can be added to decorate the frame.

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.

Increase Portion of the Square

Row 1:  Net 2 more knots into the foundation loop.  (2 loops in the row)

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 in the first loop; increase by netting two knots in the 2nd loop. (3 loops in the row)

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

Rows 4-7:  Net one knot in each loop except the last loop; net 2 knots in that last loop. (5 loops in the row)

Forming the top of the square

Row 8 (part 1): Net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops. (4 loops in the row)

Row 9: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, increase by netting 2 knots in the last loop. (5 loops in the row) The increase is on the outer edge.

Row 10: Net 1 knot in each loop, except for the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (4 loops in the row) The decrease is on the inner edge.

  

Turn Corner and Start Side

Row 11: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, increase by netting 2 knots in the last loop. (5 loops in the row)

Row 12: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together, net 1 more knot in those two loops. (5 loops in the row)

Row 13: Net 1 knot in each loop, except for the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (4 loops in the row) The decrease is now on the outer edge.

Row 14: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, increase by netting 2 knots in the last loop. (5 loops in the row) The increase is now on the inner edge.

Row 15: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (4 loops in the row) The decrease is on the outer edge.

Row 16 (part 1): Net 1 knot in each loop, except for the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (5 loops in the row) The increase is now on the inner edge.

Cut the thread on the inside edge.

Start the Second Half of the Square

Tie the thread from the shuttle onto the bottom of the first loop of row 7.

Row 8 (part 2 - Finish netting the rest of row 8): Net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops. (4 loops in the row)

Row 9: Net 1 knot in the first loop; increase by netting 2 knots in the last loop. (5 loops in the row) The increase is on the outer edge.

Row 10: Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (4 loops in the row) The decrease is on the inner edge.

Turn Corner and Start Side

Row 11: Net 1 knot in the first loop; increase by netting two knots in the 2nd loop. (5 loops in the row)

Row 12: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together, net 1 more knot in those two loops. (5 loops in the row)

Row 13: Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net 2 knots in the last loop. (4 loops in the row) The decrease is now on the outer edge.

Row 14: Net 1 knot in the first loop; increase by netting two knots in the 2nd loop. (5 loops in the row) The increase is now on the inner edge.

Row 15: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together, net 1 more knot in those two loops. (5 loops in the row)

Row 16 (part 2): Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net 2 knots in the last loop. (4 loops in the row) The decrease is now on the outer edge.

Cut the thread on the inside edge.

Join Partial Rows and Decrease

Tie the thread from the shuttle to the bottom of the first loop formed in row 16.

Row 17: Net together the first and second loops of Row 16, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net the two closed loops together, joining both parts of row 16, net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together (7 loops in the row)

Row 18: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together.

Repeat row 18 until there are two loops left.      

Tie the Last Corner         

Finish the final row by netting these two loops together, but without a mesh stick.

Cut the thread near the knot just tied.

Tie the First Corner

Remove the foundation loop from row one of the net. 

Tie the tail onto a tapestry needle, which is used in place of the netting needle. 

Net the first two loops together without using a mesh stick.

Cut the thread near the knot just tied.