A Square Square-Mesh Frame with an Even Number of Squares

Netting can become addictive, especially if it answers one of my "I wonder what would happen if ..." questions. I wanted to see how having an even number of squares on the outside of the square would affect the way the frame was created. I chose to have 20 squares along the outer edge and 8 squares along each side of the inner square.

Here are the instructions for this frame.

Square of Square-mesh Netting -- 20 outer squares, 8 inner squares, 6 border squares

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 4-13:  Net one knot in each loop except the last loop; net 2 knots in that last loop. (14 loops in the row)

Forming the top of the square

Row 14 (part 1): Net 1 knot in each loop for 7 loops. (7 loops in the row)

Row 15: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, increase by netting 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row) The increase is on the outer edge.

Row 16: Net 1 knot in each loop, except for the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (7 loops in the row) The decrease is on the inner edge.

Row 17: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, increase by netting 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row) The increase is on the outer edge.

Row 18: Net 1 knot in each loop, except for the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (7 loops in the row) The decrease is on the inner edge.

Row 19: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, increase by netting 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row) The increase is on the outer edge.

Row 20: Net 1 knot in each loop, except for the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (7 loops in the row) The decrease is on the inner edge.

Turn Corner and Start Side

Row 21: (Decrease - Increase row): Without a mesh stick, net 1 knot in the first loop, now with a mesh stick, net 1 more knot in the first loop, net 1 knot in all other loops. (7 loops in the row)

Row 22: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row) The increase is on the inner edge.

Row 23: Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (7 loops in the row) The decrease is on the outer edge.

Row 24: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row) The increase is on the inner edge.

Row 25: Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (7 loops in the row) The decrease is on the outer edge.

Row 26: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row) The increase is on the inner edge.

Row 27: Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (7 loops in the row) The decrease is on the outer edge.

Row 28: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row) The increase is on the inner edge.

Cut the thread on the inner edge.

Start the Second Half of the Square

Tie the thread from the shuttle onto the bottom of the first loop of row 13.

Row 14 (second part of the first partial row - finish netting the rest of the loops in the first partial row): Net 1 more knot in the loop in which the needle is tied, net 1 knot in each loop for the remaining loops on this partial row. (7 loops in the row)

Row 15: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row) The increase is on the outer edge.

Row 16: Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (7 loops in the row) The decrease is on the inner edge.

Row 17: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row) The increase is on the outer edge.

Row 18: Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (7 loops in the row) The decrease is on the inner edge.

Row 19: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row) The increase is on the outer edge.

Row 20: Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (7 loops in the row) The decrease is on the inner edge.

Turn Corner and Start Bottom

Row 21: (Decrease - Increase row): Without a mesh stick, net 1 knot in the first loop, now with a mesh stick, net 1 more knot in the first loop, net 1 knot in all other loops. (7 loops in the row)

Row 22: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row) The increase is on the inner edge.

Row 23: Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (7 loops in the row) The decrease is on the outer edge.

Row 24: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row) The increase is on the inner edge.

Row 25: Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (7 loops in the row) The decrease is on the outer edge.

Row 26: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row) The increase is on the inner edge.

Row 27: Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (7 loops in the row) The decrease is on the outer edge.

Row 28: Net 1 knot in each loop, except the last loop, net 2 knots in the last loop. (8 loops in the row) The increase is on the inner 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 the row just finished.

Row 29 (Joining Partial Rows): Net together the first and second loops, net 1 knot in each loop until you reach the two closed loops, net the two closed loops together, joining both partial rows, net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (13 loops in the row)

Row 30: Net 1 knot in each loop except for the last 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together.

Repeat row 30 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.