1. Locate the size mesh stick called for in round 1 of your pattern. If you don't have a pattern yet, just use a 5/8" mesh stick to practice.
2. Place the mesh stick along the side of your left index finger and hold it in place with your left thumb.
3. Make sure the palm of your hand is facing you with your fingers pointing to the right.
4. With your right hand, pick up the thread that is coming off of the netting needle.
5. Place the thread on top of the fingers of your left hand.
6.Bring the thread up over the top of the mesh stick so that the knot which joins the netting needle thread to the foundation loop is resting on the top edge of the mesh stick.
7. Place the thread from the netting needle across the inside
of the middle finger and the ring finger.
8. Take the thread down between the ring finger and little finger.
9. Take the thread up around the back of the ring finger and middle
finger.
10. Keep the thread behind and on the backside of the mesh stick.
The thread now forms a circle around these two fingers.
11. Slip the thread under the thumb.
12. Lay the thread back across the foundation loop. Make sure it stays there until you are ready to pull the knot.
13. With the end of the netting needle that does not have the loose thread coming out of it leading, and going from left to right, push the needle
through the circle formed around them
under the mesh stick
through the foundation loop.
14. There will be a new loop of crochet thread formed by this motion.
15. Catch the new loop around the little finger.
Be careful not to let it drop off the finger.
16. Pull the needle gently.
17. Gradually let go of the crochet thread under your thumb.
18. Pull out all of your fingers except the little one.
19. Continue pulling on the thread using a see-saw motion between the thread around your little finger and the thread coming from the netting needle until there is no slack except what is around your little finger.
20. Pull your little finger out. NOTE: Do not pull on the crochet thread when you do this.
21. Pull the knot tight by
pulling your left hand and all it is holding toward you
gently and smoothly pulling the thread in your right hand which is attached to the netting needle down and toward you.
The knot should rest right along the top edge of the mesh stick.