The square is netted as follows. Begin with two stitches, and net backwards and forwards, always increasing every row by making two stitches in the last stitch of the row, until you have one more stitch than the number of holes on one side of the finished square. Thus, if one side of the square has five holes, you must net six stitches on the mesh; then net one row plain, and then decrease at the end of every row, by netting the two last stitches together in one knot, until you have only two stitches left. Join these together with one knot in the middle, not making a stitch, but carrying the thread tight across to the joining knots.
Sometimes the pattern calls for a foundation in holes of two sizes. This is formed by putting the thread round the mesh twice for the large hole and once for the small.
In working the different stitches given, the thread must be carried alternately over and under the netted threads; the work must be uninterrupted, and the thread fastened with a firm knot; and when it is impossible to pass immediately from a filled up part to the next hole of the netted ground, the thread must be wound round the threads between that and the next hole to be worked as carefully as possible, so as to be almost imperceptible. The square to be worked must be tightly stretched in frame. This should be covered with ribbon or muslin to which the netting is laced, the lacing thread passing through the double edge formed by the increasing and decreasing stitches. It is well to fasten the corners first, as that makes it easier to draw the threads perfectly straight and true.
