Tiny Plain Star

The tiny Plain Star was a smaller version of a Plain Star I created back in 2013. I used a 1/4 inch flat mesh for all rows of the original one. The diameter of the original star was about 5 inches.

The tiny version uses four yards of tatting thread to create the 275 knots. The diameter of the tiny one is 2.25 inches.
































Instructions

Remember to tie a connecting knot (CK) at the end of each round to form the last loop of that round.


Apple Center

Round 1
mesh stick: #3 knitting needle
Form a grommet with 10 loops, the last one tied by hand with a connecting knot (CK). (10 loops in the round)

Round 2
mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle
 *Net 2 knots in the next loop, net 1 knot in the next loop;* repeat from * to * ending with net 2 knots in last loop. (15 loops in the round)

Round 3
mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle
 Net 1 knot in the next loop, *net 2 knots in the next loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops;* repeat from * to * ending with net 2 knots in the last loop. (20 loops in the round)

Round 4
mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle
 Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *net 2 knots in the next loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops;* repeat from * to * ending with net 2 knots in the last loop. (25 loops in the round)

Round 5
mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, *net 2 knots in the next loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops;* repeat from * to * ending with net 2 knots in the last loop. (30 loops in the round)

Round 6
mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops; *net 2 knots in the next loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 5 loops;* repeat from * to * ending with net 2 knots in the last loop. (35 loops in the round)


Round 7
mesh stick: #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop. (35 loops in each round)



Pointed Edge

Row 1
mesh sticks:  #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop for 6 loops. (6 loops in the row)

Row 2
mesh stick: #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (5 loops in the row)

Row 3
mesh stick: #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (4 loops in the row)

Row 4
mesh stick: #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net the last 2 loops together. (3 loops in the row)

Row 5
mesh stick: #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in the next loop, net the last 2 loops together. (2 loops in the row)

Row 6
mesh stick: #0 knitting needle
Without a mesh stick, net 2 loops together.  (1 loop in the row)


Additional Points

Row 1
mesh sticks:  #0 knitting needle
Tie the thread from the netting needle to the loop of row 7 next to the right side of the point. Without a mesh stick net 1 more knot into that loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 6 loops; turn the netting.  Untie the first knot tied to the loop of round 7 and cut it short.

Rows 2-6
mesh sticks:  #0 knitting needle
Repeat rows 2-6 of the Lacy Pointed Edge.


Continue repeating the instructions in the Additional Points section until 5 points have been made.

Tiny Lacy Star with 5 points

I finally got over my cold enough to take photos of some of the tiny netting I had continued making. Netting was one of the few things I had energy enough to do while coping with my cold.

Here is the star by itself and enclosed in the acrylic circle.

The instructions are as follows:

Lacy Star - tiny (5 points)

Designed by Rita F. Bartholomew

about 6 yards tatting thread

365 knots in this star

2.75“diameter

Tie a connecting knot (CK) at the end of each round to form the last loop of that round.

Web Center

Round 1:

                mesh stick: #3 knitting needle

Form a grommet with 15 loops, the last one tied by hand with a connecting knot (CK). (15 loops in the round)

Round 2

                mesh stick: #2 knitting needle

Net 1 knot in each loop. (15 loops in the round)

Round 3

                mesh stick: #2 knitting needle

Net 2 more knot in the loop formed by the CK, net 3 knots in all other loops.   (45 loops in the round)

Plain Stitch

Rounds 4-5

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Net 1 knot in each loop.   (45 loops in each round)

On the last row, finish the circular netting by ending with net 1 knot in the last loop, net 1 more knot in the loop tied with the CK, cut the thread, tie an overhand knot and tighten the overhand knot against the netted knot. Cut the threads.

Ribbed Pointed Edge

Row 1

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Tie the thread from the netting needle to the loop that is 1 loop to the right of the overhand knot (this knot will be untied at the end of the row.)

Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops (beginning with the last loop formed), net 3 knots in each loop for 2 loops, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops.

Untie the first knot tied in this row. Turn the netting to go across the row in the other direction. (12 loops in the row)

Row 2

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, net 5 loops together, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops. Turn the netting to go across the row in the other direction. (7 loops in the row)

Row 3

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net 3 knots in each loop for 2 loops, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, Do NOT net in the last loop of the row. Turn the netting to go across the row in the other direction. (10 loops in the row)

Row 4

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net 5 loops together, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops. Do NOT net in the last loop of the row. Turn the netting to go across the row in the other direction. (5 loops in the row)

Row 5

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Net 1 knot in 1 loop, net 3 knots in each loop for 2 loops, net 1 knot in 1 loop. Do NOT net in the last loop of the row. Turn the netting to go across the row in the other direction. (8 loops in the row)

Row 6

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Net 1 knot in 1 loop, net 5 loops together, net 1 knot in 1 loop. Do NOT net in the last loop of the row. Turn the netting to go across the row in the other direction. (3 loops in the row)

Row 7

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Net 3 knots in each loop for 2 loops. Do NOT net in the last loop of the row. Turn the netting to go across the row in the other direction. (6 loops in the row)

Row 8

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Net 5 loops together. Do NOT net in the last loop of the row. Cut the thread, leaving about 1/8 inch at the point. (1 loop in the row)

Next point:

Tie the thread from the netting shuttle into one loop to the right of where the previous point was attached to round 5. This thread will be untied at the end of this row.

Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, net 3 knots in each loop for 2 loops, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops. Untie the first knot tied in this round and cut it short. Turn the netting.

Repeat Rows 2-8 of the Ribbed Pointed Edge.

Continue these directions until 5 points are made.

place in the star	number of knots
center	165
1 point	40
total knots in points	200
total points in star	365

Tiny Lacy Star with six points

Christmas is past for another year, yet I still have another snowflake star. This one uses the well center and the lacy pointed edge.

 This lacy star was smaller than I thought it would be.

However, it fits into the acrylic holder with ease.

Here are the instructions for the tiny, lacy star.

Lacy Well Star - tiny (6 points)

Designed by Rita F. Bartholomew

about 4 yards tatting thread

192 knots in this doily

2.5“ diameter

Tie a connecting knot (CK) at the end of each round to form the last loop of that round.

Well Center

Round 1

                mesh stick: #3 knitting needle

Form a grommet with 9 loops, the last one tied by hand with a connecting knot (CK). (9 loops in the round)

Round 2

                mesh stick: #3 knitting needle

Net 3 more knot in the loop formed by the CK, net 4 knots in all other loops.   (36 loops in the round)

Plain Decorative Stitch

Round 3-4

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

 Net 1 knot in each loop.   (36 loops in each round)

Lacy Pointed Edge

Row 1

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Place marker every 6 loops (CK knot counts as a marker).

Net 1 knot in each loop for next 5 loops (counting the CK as a knot, there are 6 knots along the row). Turn the netting to go across the row in the other direction.  (5 loops in the round)

Row 2

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Net 1 knot in each loop for 5 loops. Turn the netting to go across the row in the other direction.  (5 loops in the round)

Row 3

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops. Do NOT net in the last loop of the row. Turn the netting to go across the row in the other direction. (4 loops in the round)

Row 4

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops. Do NOT net in the last loop of the row. Turn the netting to go across the row in the other direction. (3 loops in the round)

Row 5

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops. Do NOT net in the last loop of the row. Turn the netting to go across the row in the other direction. (2 loops in the round)

Row 6

                mesh stick:  #0 knitting needle

Net 1 knot in 1 loop. Do NOT net in the last loop of the row. Turn the netting to go across the row in the other direction. (1 loops in the round)

Next point:

Tie the thread from the needle to the last loop net in row 4. Net into the first free loop to the right of the point.

Net 1 knot into the following 7 loops (total knots tied in the row equals 8).

Untie the first knot tied into the previously made loop.

Repeat rows 2-8 of the Lacy Pointed Edge.

Here is a breakdown of the number of knots in this star.

place in the star	number of knots
center	117
1 point	15
total knots in points	75
total points in star	192

Tiny Star with six points

Last week I presented a 5-point star. This week's star has 6 points. It is about 2.5 inches in diameter. It begins with a Scimitar Center, increasing to a multiple of six, and then places the points evenly around the center.

I placed it in a six-pointed snowflake acrylic ornament.

The edges of each point are finished in the same manner as the edges to last week's star.


Here are the instructions.

Scimitar Center

Round 1: mesh stick - #3 knitting needle
Form grommet with 12 loops (last one tied by hand with CK). (12 loops in the round)
Rounds 2-3: mesh stick - #3 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop. (12 loops in the round)
Round 4: mesh stick - #3  knitting needle
Net 2 more knots in the loop formed by the CK, net 3 knots in all other loops. (36 loops in the round)
Rounds 5-6: mesh stick - #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop. (36 loops in the round)

Pointed Edge
Row 1: mesh stick - #0 knitting needle
Tie the thread from the netting shuttle into loop on row 6.  The loop should be where the previous point was attached to row 6. This thread will be untied at the end of this row.

Net 1 knot in each loop for 6 loops.  Untie the first knot. Turn the netting. (6 loops in the round)
Row 2: mesh stick - #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop for 5 loops. (5 loops in the round)
Row 3: mesh stick - #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop until 2 loops are left, net the last 2 loops together. (4 loops in the round)
Row 4: mesh stick - #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop until 2 loops are left, net the last 2 loops together. (3 loops in the round)
Row 5: mesh stick - #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop until 2 loops are left, net the last 2 loops together. (2 loops in the round)
Row 6: mesh stick - #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop until 2 loops are left, net the last 2 loops together. (1 loops in the round)
Repeat Point Rows 1-6. 

Continue these directions until all 6 points are made.

Tiny star

Stars are popular at Christmas time. So, this week I'm including a net star. It is a five-pointed star with smooth edges. The center is a variation of the Well Center, so I've named this star Well 5-pointed Star.

I've put it in the same kind of acrylic ornament holder that was used last week.

Instructions for Well 5-pointed Star

2.5 inch diameter
10 yards tatting thread
231 knots in the star

Rounds Mesh Stick Instructions

1 1/4" Form grommet with 15 loops (last one tied by hand with CK). (15 loops in the round)
2         1/4"           Net 2 more knots in the loop formed by the CK, net 3 knots in all other loops.  (45 loops in the round)
3-5        #0 kn  Net 1 knot in each loop. (45 loops in the round)

Pointed Edge
1 #0 kn Turn the netting and net into the last loop formed in the previous row. Net 1 knot in each loop for 8 loops.  Turn the netting. (8 loops in the row)
2 #0 kn Net 1 knot in each loop until 2 loops are left, net the last 2 loops together. (7 loops in the row)
3 #0 kn Net 1 knot in each loop until 2 loops are left, net the last 2 loops together. (6 loops in the row)
4 #0 kn Net 1 knot in each loop until 2 loops are left, net the last 2 loops together. (5 loops in the row)
5 #0 kn Net 1 knot in each loop until 2 loops are left, net the last 2 loops together. (4 loops in the row) 225
6 #0 kn Net 1 knot in each loop until 2 loops are left, net the last 2 loops together. (3 loops in the row)
7 #0 kn Net 1 knot in each loop until 2 loops are left, net the last 2 loops together. (2 loops in the row)
8 none Without using a mesh stick, net the final 2 loops together. (1 loop in the row)


Remaining Points:

If desired, place a locking stitch marker every 9 loops to mark where the other points will be placed.

Tie the thread from the netting shuttle into loop on row 5.  The loop should be where the previous point was attached to row 5 or one loop to the left of the marker.  This thread will be untied at the end of this row.

Net 1 knot in each loop for 9 loops.

Untie the first knot tied to the loop in round 5 and cut it short.

Repeat Point Rows 2-8.

Continue these directions until all 5 points are made.

Netting in Magazines - International Old Lacer's Bulletin

Several years ago I stumbled across some articles on netting that had been published between 1968 and 1982 by the IOLI.  This week I found those same articles located in two places, here and here.

According to their website, IOLI was founded in 1954 as Old Lacers.  Their name has been changed several times: 1959 to National Old Lacers, 1970 to International Old Lacers, Inc., and 2012 to International Organization of Lace, Inc.

Here are some of the articles about netting I found in this quarterly magazine.

1. September 1970
1. Section: Art of Netting; Article: Corner in Darned or Guipure Netting (page 11)
2. Section: Art of Netting; Article: Netted Neckerchief (page 11)
2. January 1971
1. Article: Filet (page 40)
3. January 1973
1. Section: Netting and Guipure; Article: Netting (page 39)
2. Section: Netting and Guipure; Article: South Beloit Women Preserve Lacemaking, Antique Lace Made (page 40)
4. May 1973
1. Article: Netting (photo of doily made by Mrs. Frank Nelson) (page 65 )
2. Section: Book Review; Author: Mary Lou Kueker; Article: Netting by Primrose Cumming (page 78)
3. Section: Book Review; Author: Mary Lou Kueker; Article: La rete a Rosoni (Rosette Netting) (page 78)
4. Section: Book Review; Author: Mary Lou Kueker; Article: A Treasury of Needlework Projects from Godey's Lady's Book by Arlene Z. Wiczyk (page 78)
5. November 1976
1. Article: Netting (page 26)
2. Article: Filet Lace (page 27)
6. November 1977
1. Author: Sheila Bottorff; Article: Tatting-Frivolite [includes illustrations for tying the netting knot] (page 44)
7. May 1977
1. Section: A Book of Modern Netting Designs; Author: Mrs. Bertha Cragun; Article: "Kissin' Cousin" fantail fish design (photo only) (page 98)
2. Section: Filet Square; Author: Kay Asahi; Article: Single or plain mesh (page 99 )
8. January 1978
1. Section: A Practical Use of Netting; Article: Netted Doily (page 70)
2. Section: A Practical Use of Netting; Article: Netting the New Wool Scarfs (page 70)
3. Section: A Practical Use of Netting; Article: Netted Edging (page 70)
9. July 1979
1. Section: Modano Lace; Author: Mrs. Bertha Cragun; Article: Modano Lace (page 139)
10. January 1980
1. Section: Modano Lace; Author: Mrs. Bertha Cragun; Article: Circle It [net doll skirt] (page 52)
2. Section: Modano Lace; Author: Mrs. Bertha Cragun; Article: Garden Party [netting on Pillow Cases] (page 52)
3. Section: Modano Lace; Author: Mrs. Bertha Cragun; Article: Lacy Shawl (page 53 )
4. Section: Modano Lace; Author: Mrs. Bertha Cragun; Article: Garden Hat (page 53)
5. Section: Modano Lace; Author: Mrs. Bertha Cragun; Article: Lace on Lace (page 53)
6. Section: Modano Lace; Author: Mrs. Bertha Cragun; Article: Modano Lace Star for a Birthday Calendar of Calligraphy (page 53)
11. May 1980
1. Section: Modano Lace; Author: Mrs. Bertha Cragun; Article: Modano Lace [forming a center without a foundation loop] (page 92)
2. Section: Modano Lace; Author: Mrs. Bertha Cragun; Article: Tool Keeper Tip (page 93)
12. November 1980
1. Section: Book Review; Article: The Technique of Filet Lace by Pauline Knight (page 26 )
13. May 1981
1. Section: Modano Lace; Author: Mrs. Bertha Cragun; Article: Pauline Knight [author of The Technique of Filet Lace] (page 69)

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

Last Saturday I went to two baby showers.  Although they were not held at the same time, they were held in the same large building.  That made it easier to go from one to the other.  As a gift, I brought what everyone who knows me expected - a net bag.

Since I am trying to get my instructions correct for my net bags before I publish them, I have two different styles here.

The blue bag is a rectangular bag with a single tied handle.  

The pink bag is a circular bag made from the bottom up and has two handles.

Of course the bags contained some of my favorite baby bibs.  

Judging from the comments at the baby showers I attend, the bibs are a favorite with other mothers also.

The baby bibs are made of tea-towels and have ribbing around the neck edge.  

Netting In Magazines - The Ladies’ Companion

I was able to find three issues of The Ladies' Companion online that contained netting.  The years were Vol. 20 (published in 1861), Vol. 23 (published in 1863), and Vol. 27 (published in 1865).  The netting patterns were as follows:

1. 1861
1. Netting for Window-Curtains and Fire-Grate Veil (page 317)
2. 1863
1. Netted Cheese or Cake D'Oyley (page 336)
2. Long Black Silk Mitten - Netting (page 336)
3. 1865
1. Netted Border (page 55)
2. Raised Embroidery on Netting (page 107)
3. A Fly-Catch (page 166)

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

Last week I showed the Plain Star I made.  This week I finished another star.

The center for this Fancy Star began as a circle.  It measures five inches from the center to the end of a point.

Netting in Magazines - Modern Priscilla

"Netting Outlives the Centuries," an article found in the December, 1920, issue of Modern Priscilla, includes some netting patterns common to colonial America.

1. Boston Tester (page 14)
2. Dancing Girls Coverlet Border (page 14)
3. Wrap Yarn Border (page 14)
4. Moonshine and Matrimony (page 14)
5. Pincushion Cover (page 28)

According to The Free Dictionary and Dictionary.com, a tester is "a canopy, as over a bed or pulpit."  The borders in this article are created with tassels of thread tied to the netting.  

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *     

I wanted to make a net star about 6" in diameter.  Today, with some helpful suggestions from the women in the knitting group I attend and some mathematical guidance from my son, I came up with this. It measures three inches from the center to the end of a point.  Since it looks so plain, I decided to name it Plain Star.

I already have ideas for others.  Next time, maybe I'll make something not so plain.