Obtaining square-mesh netting is the first step to creating filet lace. You can purchase netting here or you can make it yourself. If you already know how to net, the instructions below describe how to make a five square by five square piece of square-mesh netting from one corner to the diagonal corner. If you don’t know how to net, visit my netting website, Knots Indeed, to learn how.
Starting Square Mesh Netting (Increase Section)
Row 1: Net 2 knots in the foundation loop. When this is done, you will see there are 2 loops on the mesh stick and 3 knots.
Remove the mesh stick.
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 on the left.
(This loop is the loop you just finished making.)
Increase by netting 2 knots in the second loop.
There are now 3 loops on the mesh stick and 3 knots.
Row 3: Net 1 knot in each loop except the last loop; net 2 knots in that last loop.
Continue repeating Row 3 until the same number of rows has been worked as the number of squares desired or there is one more loop on the mesh stick than squares desired, it is almost time to turn a corner. Each row will have one more loop than the previous row.
For example, if the square is to be 5 squares by 5 squares, when there are 5 rows (or 6 loops on the mesh stick), it is time to stop repeating Row 3.
In the next row, net 1 knot in each loop across the row. You will not be increasing in this row.
Turn the Corner:
Net 1 knot in each loop until you come to the last 2 loops; net the last 2 loops together.
There are now 5 loops on the mesh stick.
When the netting is spread out, it is possible to see that there are five squares along the top and a corner has been formed on the upper right end of the first row.
Turn the Next Corner
On the next row, turn another corner by following the same decrease instructions: Net 1 knot in each loop until you come to the last 2 loops; net the last 2 loops together.
This time when the netting is spread out, it is possible to see that there are five spaces along the top and left side of the netting. There is a definite corner on the top right and bottom left of the netting.
Decrease Section
Continue decreasing at the end of each row until only 2 loops remain.
When just 2 loops remain, net these 2 loops together without using a mesh stick.
This will put a single knot at the end of the corner.
Cut the thread near the knot just tied.
Finish the first corner:
Remove the foundation loop from the tension device.
Slide the loops created in Row 1 off of the foundation loop.
Untie the knots in the 2 loops from Row 1 and the knot in the tail.
Place the foundation-loop cord through any row of meshes other than Row 1.
Tie the foundation-loop cord in a circle and attach it to a tension device.
Thread the tail from Row 1 through the eye of a tapestry needle and tie it to the needle. The tapestry needle is used in place of the netting needle.
Net the 2 loops together without using a mesh stick.
Net the 2 loops together without using a mesh stick.
Cut the thread near the knot just tied.
Remove the foundation loop from the tension device and the netting.
Now you have a piece of square-mesh netting that is 5 squares by 5 squares.