Net making

[Keeghan_M]

Hi

I am interested in starting to make some nets out of hand twisted rope/string, i have access to the equipment needed for the rope/string but i cant find any good reference to making the actual net. i.e what not to use, how to lay it out, what patterns, sizes for different uses etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Keeghan

[Anoushka]

Hi
I make fine net - as in with crochet cotton. I think the technique is the same as for course net? I know you make fish nets the same way. You need a netting shuttle to hold the thread/cord while you work.
Are you intending to be a NAARMA here in Tauranga in October? I will if that's any help?
Anoushka

[BigMac]

[Gaius Drustanus]

Rocketscience?

[??Questions??]

um i think genraly the size depends on what you want it to hold (or keep out or whatever) and how much work u want to do =]

ie. realy big thingy, then u dont need to bother with small holes

[Robbo]

[Hobdid]

Quote Big Mac "What does the R stand for? Laughing"

The R stands for, umm "Really" or maybe "rare" o o "Robust" or possibly R = digital malfunction

[Gaius Drustanus]

"Small Holes are Still Best"
Saint Gregory the Grate. Godfather of Medieval Rome.
"Not Angels but Angles"!

[Bogue]

And Robbo did reply to Questions semi-piscatorial comment with this

[Gaius Drustanus]

Another offering to Poseidon!




Chum!

[Anoushka]

My apologies. The 'r' stands for 'Ah well, never mind'.

Anoushka

[Anoushka]

In spite of the number of asinine posts suddenly being made, I note that none of them are actually helpful to the original question.
hemp twine is best, but you may have trouble accessing the raw material. (before our Einsteins out there suggest it, no canabis won't do). you can use flax fibre, agave, or a number of other natural fibres, but flax may be your best bet. The process for making it is rather time consuming but not too difficult. there seem to be enough people around various forum boards with low IQ's, too much time on their hands, and not enough constructive to do. I'm sure you can con one into doing the job for you.
you can use nylon twine, but it's not period authentic, (flax is, in that it's a fairly near substitute for agave) and it requires two knots per net loop, where natural fibres lock with only one. Also you can put nylon mesh aside wet, whereas you have to dry natural fibres before storing, or they rot quite quickly, and lunch will escape. Fishing nets are more efficient made from nylon, as they spend too much time wet.
The purpose of the net alters how it is made. If it is a throwing net, it is made with a straight edge, and the starting point is a rod. If it is a seine or purse net, the start and end points are iron rings. the size of the mesh is again determined by what you want to catch. Obviously rats need a small mesh, rabbits a little larger, other fighters, fairly big would work well. assuming the purpose would be to hinder rather than completely hold. Within reason, the size of the twine doesn't alter that much when the mesh size increases. The mesh size is determined by a size board you wrap the twine around before knotting, which keeps it nicely uniform.
Other than that, it's a simple process, taking time and care rather than requiring great skill - speed takes practice and skill, but the job itself is fairly easy.

[Gaius Drustanus]

Rotten? Ridiculous? Ratbag? Riske? Rotund? ???
Do tell

[Gaius Drustanus]

Oh!
Asinine

[Bogue]

Flax (Formium Tenax) would be a great substitute for hemp rope.
IF you are prepared for all the pre netting retting, scutching and other fascinating but odiferous flax cord tasks.

Hemp twine is available from the Trade Aid group of stores. But it is not a very strong twist.


And Anoushka NB: Asinine yes, Low IQ no, irreverent definitely.

cheers
Bogue