made round the supporting-strand a larger open loop, A, depends. These larger loops are important, as it is to their lower points that the next row of real meshes will be attached by the true netting-knot. The shorter closed loops (fig. 6, 1–2) are made so as to set up these longer loops on the supporting-strand. It is important to have them, as well as the upper closed loops, of even size. On commencing the third closed loop the left forefinger is slipped under the completed lower loop A, and when the netting-strip is carried over the supporting-strand the left middle finger is inserted under the new lower loop B. The middle finger pulls until the loop B is of the same length as A. The left forefinger is slipped out of loop A, and with the thumb grasps the double strand, 3, 1 in. below the supporting-strand, whilst the right hand makes the overhand knot. In this way the third closed loop, 3, is formed and the second lower loop, B. The process is continued in this manner until the requisite number of closed loops are made, thirty-two being a convenient number for the smaller bag-nets. With thirty-two closed loops there will be thirty-one lower loops; but when the net comes to be joined at the end of the process a thirty-second longer loop will be formed between the first and last closed loops.

Figs. 8–10.—Closed-loop commencement, with clove hitches.

The netting works from left to right along the supporting-strand, and ever the left forefinger slips along into the completed lower loop and the middle finger gauges the new loop. The middle finger may be used in the completed loop and the new loop gauged with the ring-finger. In this case the forefinger is free to come over and hold the double strip for the closed upper loop ere the overhand knot is tied. The thirty-second closed loop having been made, the set is complete. The netting-strip now turns back to commence the second row on the lower points of the lower loops (fig. 7).

As a variation to this method, in the Te Kaha district the upper closed loops are tied with a clove hitch instead of an overhand knot. The process is quite simple. The netting-strip having been looped over the supporting-strand, the double strip is brought together 1 in. below and held together as before with the left forefinger and thumb. The free part of the strip is passed over the ascending limb to the left, brought back under it and between the limbs to form the half-hitch, as in fig. 8. A similar half-hitch is made immediately below the first, and a clove hitch results, as in fig. 9. This is continued throughout (fig. 10). The advantage is that when drawn tight a clove hitch will not slip like an overhand knot. The overhand knot, however, is made more quickly; and in this commencement any slight slipping does not matter much.