Making a net bag for a Roman Legionary

Step by step construction of a spiral net bag. This one is going to a Roman display but the same method makes excellent shopping and storage bags in any cordage.
I now have a 'buy me a coffee' page which helps fund my ongoing research and the making of these free videos. If you'd like to support me, please visit ko-fi.com/sallypointer Thank you!

[@recharukua]

The cat provides a nicely contrasting background that makes it easier to see what you're doing.

[@bonnie8204]

I never realized that netting is so similar to tatting, and that I could use my tatting shuttles for very fine netting! Thank you for the clear explanation!

[@Anne5440_]

Thanks so for your comment. I was thinking I have a netting shuttle somewhere in my work storage mess. Then I saw your comment. I know right where my couple dozen tatting shuttles are! I should have thought of that myself. And now I think my balls of size 10 crochet cotton that arre too thick for tatting would work well for making a few shopping bags. Last year my state past a law that we have to pay for plastic bags at the grocery. They want us to bring our own bags. I have been fighting cancer for over a year. I am not strong enough to sit at the sewing machine to make fabric ones. I didn't like the patterns for crochet bags I found. And until now I didn't know how to make net bags. Problem of finding my grandma's net shuttle sovled.

[@cosmiccoyotedog-doreenb9605]

@@Anne5440_ Hope you are feeling well.

[@Anne5440_]

@@cosmiccoyotedog-doreenb9605 thanks I am slowly getting stronger, treatments are working.

[@martharobinson7896]

​@@cosmiccoyotedog-doreenb9605

[@Grace-ms7un]

​@@Anne5440_ that's so great 👍

[@MrChef011]

Let me tell you how I discovered your video... I was reading something about Serbian and Montenegrin cuisine and local cheese-making and old processing, then I remember my grandmother using nettle instead of rennet, then i opened a new tab to look that up and the article mentioned that in WWI German uniforms were made of 85% nettle fibers. Then I wanted to see how that was done and your video was first to pop up. There you go. I loved the video and you were fantastic and here comes a subscriber.

[@SallyPointer]

It's amazing where these trains of thought take us!

[@singe0diabolique]

I've always heard that tatting came from sailors repairing their fishing nets. Seeing you do this work reminds so much of tatting that It's plainly true.

[@anitapeura3517]

What a goldmine of useful information Sally is! Great that she makes so much of her enthusiasms and skills, and is supported to do it. (Instead of strange and impractical, like me...) I'd love to see her do a book of these artisan crafts, easier to follow over time than a series of videos, and more durable if the internet crashes. I have many artisan craft books but few cover these sorts of skills. Thanks so much for these videos, they are skills that kept humans alive and comfortable for millenia, and never know when we may need them again.

[@maggieadams8600]

The troublle with me watching your videos is that they make me want to have a bash at all of them, and I already have a lot of irons in the fire! Still, I will hopefully try this at some point, thank you!

[@annoyingbananana]

i googled "DIY hay net for horse" (in german it's a "Heu Netz" , literally a "hay net") and couldn't find any video tutorial. But then I tried "DIY net bag" and found this video. Perfect! the loops going all the way around is exactly what i was looking for and i cant wait to make a bag like this one for our greedy pony to eat hay out of. He keeps ripping the storebought ones. Now I can choose a suitable rope and make a slow feeding hay bag for basically nothing. Looks like fun too. :D

[@SallyPointer]

That sounds a perfect use for this

[@josephdonais3436]

Thank you for this. I'd always struggled with making nets using macrame. Making a net and it's cording is invaluable to an independent mind.

[@Just_Sara]

My goodness, that was such an easy to follow tutorial! You, lady, have a gift, and thanks for sharing it.

[@SallyPointer]

Thank you very much! I'm having a lot of fun sharing my interests with everyone.

[@eusebiuapetrei4894]

Urât

[@dr.lexwinter8604]

Gods damn it - you're all smarter than me. I can't figure this damnable thing out. I have string around every finger and toe and can't move now. :( And I'm only 3 minutes into the video!

[@Just_Sara]

@@dr.lexwinter8604 Don't feel badly! The tutorial is easy to follow, but that does not make it easy to actually do. I'd been working on and off with knitting and crochet for years before I tried this. You are not less smart - trust me! You've just specialized in other things until now, maybe. :)

[@myrrhidian3166]

Just wanted to thank you for this wonderful tutorial! I followed it using leftover fingering weight wool yarn from my stash, and created a nice net bag to store surplus yarn in. I really enjoyed making it, and plan to make more soon!

[@shelleymonson8750]

Your supervisory cat has a beautiful coat! I must give netting another go soon. Very clear explanation, thank you!

[@thewoodlandschoolltd3999]

Lovely work and definitely one of my next projects.

[@jakea1035]

I loved what you had to teach us today. I felt so happy when the blackbird started to sing. Pure heaven!

[@GaleneIanthe]

Wonderful netting tutorial! I've been thinking of getting into netting for some time, but hadn't found many clear and concise demonstrations like this one! As a crocheter, it was nice to see that the method of increasing stitches in the round was very familiar to me.

[@royworrall]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you. One small point: it’s not a “clove hitch” it’s a “goose neck knot”. Even so, very easy to follow.

[@SallyPointer]

Yes, I misspoke there, the downside of not scripting videos!

[@JayCWhiteCloud]

Hello Roy...if I may add an additional small point as well...(validation I teach rigging, weaving, and indigenous life skills)...There are many vernacular "local" names for things, so without seeing a picture or demonstration of your "gooseneck knot"...I can't speak to its validity. I can say that a "gooseneck" in several translations is a simple overhand knot typically tied at the top of a sack, and more commonly today a plastic bag... What Sally tied in her beginning was...in the common parlance of English...is best known as a..."Lark's Head"..."Cow Hitch"...and if double (or more) twisted a "cat's paw." A "goose knot"...if that is what you meant...is a "splice" or "knot"...on the working ends of two cords to bring them together...or...to splice twine to make a longer section yet is not a secure knot at all... What I believe Sally was going for (if this is an attempt at a traditional Roman and/or European vintage "netting knot"...would be called an..." Ossel hitch"...This knot is used to attach a rope or line to another main line very often found in historical Scottish gill nets, as one example, to tie small line to a larger rope that supported the net. The word "Ossel" is from old Gaelic meaning..." gill net"...though there is debate about Flemish origins as well...The Ossel Hitch is related to other fishing origins like the "snood"..." snell"...and gangion." I could go on as this is a lifelong passion in some of the work I do professionally...

[@audeforcione-lambert4293]

Thank you I was so confused! And here in Canada you would also call that knot a lark's head knot (or in french noeud d'alouette) ;)

[@JayCWhiteCloud]

@@audeforcione-lambert4293 Most welcome and for sharing the knot's term in french...I love learning such things...It is one of the many pleasures of a full life...having the wonders of all we can learn from one another...As I know it, from the European perspective, "Lark's Head" is one of the oldest terms for this knot in many cultures from there...

[@Woodlawn22]

This just strikes me as a very good thing to know how to do! You never know when it will come in handy. Thanks!

[@ArtemensiaK]

Finally I think I will do this, after I watched it several times. I have kids and this seems to be the perfect bag for sand toys, because the sand will just flow out and the toys will stay in :D

[@fakiirification]

i tried to make a net a few years back, but the instructions i was following were so confusing. i randomly found this video the other day, it sparked my interest again, so i got my needles and twine out, and wouldn't you know it if i didn't manage to make a small net bag. Thank you for the clear tutorial.

[@shellback7]

Very good video. This is another method of making a net bag that I found interesting. When I finish the last row for my net bag, I put two lines together on my netting needle to double up this row. You showed how to add a row at the beginning but there also another method of reducing a row by taking two loops together and making your single sheet bend. Keep up the good work.

[@Nonorama]

This is amazing! And wonderfully well explained! Like it that your videos are not filmed in a nervous way, explained calmly and you can follow every bit of information.

[@Improveng1]

Nice one Sally. Net making is such a useful skill to have and has many applications in survival and bushcraft. I, myself used to make my own nets for catching rabbits, purse nets, gatenets and longnets. Thanks for sharing your skills, I find your presentation style, very agreeable so it's a thumbs-up and a sub from me.

[@blackflare]

Cats like being near you while you do stuff in general. It means they like you :)

[@JoeLinux2000]

I've been assigned the task of repairing hay nets for horses this looks like one of the very best approaches. This is a skill that obviously requires some practice, but will be very valuable in the end.

[@longyarn4288]

Quite nicely done, and the bird song in the background made it very enjoyable and relaxing to listen to. Will be adding this to my list of: "The things I've done with 'string'." Crochet, knitting, macrame', tatting, weaving and even spinning it (wheel, drop, support, and once even by candy cane!). The only other thing (that I'm not interested in at all) that I haven't done is bobbin lace. Thanks for making it accessible!

[@Skeetermonkey]

Brilliantly done! I wish I'd had this when I was trying to make a roman bag... had to stumble through all sorts of websites and videos to pull the information together. Most of the videos were not useful, because they taught outright wrong information. Your video is fantastic and useful and will make it so no one has an excuse for not having a bag. Thanks for making this!

[@arilibove-goldfarb4717]

I'll have to make a market bag like this! I've got a pair of antique netted gloves with holes in the fingers and this gives me a good idea of how to make the repairs. I think it's best to practice with something larger first. I've crocheted mesh market bags before but this seems like a good entree to netting.

[@TheOaken1]

Thank you, I made a net bag to hold a gourd canteen in today, next up a bag for foraging mushrooms

[@teresaellis7062]

Yay! I have seen net bags for sale, but I always tell myself that I don't need them, not really, but, BUT I can justify making one myself as I can use second-hand materials to reduce waste and learn a skill I have been wanting for a while. 😊

[@GrannyReplica]

I'm barely getting the hang of nalbinding these days and now I feel like netting might get added to the waiting list.😂

[@Timbyte]

Thank you very much. I was struggling in the beginning, but then got it. So quick to make and so functional.

[@peterellis4262]

The cat knows you are trapped for a time ;) Wonderful explanation and demonstration.

[@j.r7872]

00:02:01 Beautiful bird chirping.

[@vanessaboman8143]

So... Another cool thing forms to make for my grout in my camper van. I am so excited to have found your channel, and I can't wait for a break to engage in my new found self sufficiency drive 😀

[@JustAnotherBuckyLover]

The Roman net-making equivalent of a magic circle!

[@pauljs75]

And that makes you wonder just how much time was put into fishing nets back in days of yore. Those things must have been a bit of an investment, compared to modern machine-made stuff where people don't seem too upset at letting them go adrift since they're much more easily replaced. (And bad for the environment too.)

[@SallyPointer]

Time is a major factor in any historical project, we just aren't used to thinking about time in a way that we may have done in the past.

[@CurmudgeonExtraordinaire]

Well, you have to remember that they weren't sitting around in their spare time watching KZbin videos either... Just think how much time that frees up... :)

[@sallymoen6371]

I wish i was taught this rather than crochet and embroidery, as a net bag and the makings of a simple fish net would have helped me more than making scarves or embellishing pillow cases

[@ashleya3236]

Fascinating to watch and surprisingly soothing to listen to. Thanks for sharing this process with us!

[@goopygonch]

this is the first video that i watched from your channel, i got inspired from a spanish documentary talking about net making/repairs on the coast of spain and decided to look online to see if there were 3d printed netting needle patterns, lo and behold, there were. it took me a while to wrap my head around the process but i’ve since watched a lot of the nettle processing and was endlessly fascinated. i made some good progress with this tutorial, and hope to finish my bag soon :0)

[@FrauWNiemand]

This is amazing. We had these net bags in GDR a lot made out opf plastic fiber. This could also result ina planting pot holder or also a necklace for stones from the beach. It looks for me like a special kind of crochet combined with macramee. Or... you could make a hammock out of it, too. Just amazing.

[@nerowolfga8543]

And scientists think; first there was twine, then there was nets. aa some of the earliest technologies humans used!

[@newlife9984]

Very nice, Sally!! You are delightful. I am So grateful for your teaching because your knowledge and putting it out there is helping to make a design innovation concept I had 10 years ago now possible that I think will make millions of people's lives better every hour they are awake every day.

[@pollyrees826]

Lobster men make these in a plastic cord for bate bags. I’m in Maine on the USA coast

[@ExposingReflections]

Thanks for the great tutorial. Just a suggestion for future videos on this type of thing; a different colored background to contrast with the thread would make it easier to see where the thread is going. Also larger cording would make seeing easier, just for demonstration purposes. Thanks again.

[@RamaKrishnan-ml3mt]

Good. It is similar to the system in India,which is called"sikyam", in sanskrit. Usually used to keep dairy products. Thank you.

[@Just_Sara]

Making one now, can’t wait to try it with my own fibers someday, thanks so much!

[@pezpez2383]

The ultimate laundry bag?? YES.

[@renatamcstay]

So many recommendations i find interest in! Thank you for the time knowledge and skill. I look forward to replicating! And watching more!

[@DaniLong]

This tutorial is excellent! Thank you so much, Sally. So glad I found your channel here.

[@nomadicoasis9260]

I did wonder how to do this. thanks

[@Moostery]

I just ordered a set of norwegian style shuttles and I'm looking forward to making a couple nets like this =)

[@kristinlanorvegienne7778]

Love the birdsin the background

[@UKPete]

Thanks for making this video, you have explained it well!.

[@peterellis4262]

Watching you working on nets has inspired me to start working on shuttles and gauge sticks ;) I'm a bit of a woodworker, while my wife describes her hobby as "string". Am I right in thinking that an important feature of the gauge and the shuttle is that the finish on both should be quite smooth? Wouldn't do to have the string catching on the tools all the time.

[@SallyPointer]

Yes, smooth, and the shuttle should be no wider than the gauge stick

[@peterellis4262]

@@SallyPointer Made the tools. Got some butcher's twine for an experimental run. Totally confused almost instantly and while my mind can follow your instructions, my hands and eyes cannot ;) The twine immediately twists upon itself forming extra loops, the first three or four tries at making the first knot Un made the knot instead ;) Finally got the first knot (I think) and promptly lost the base loop that the next knot needs to go around. Have I made a poor material choice with the butcher's twine, or is it just a matter of learning the process and teaching the fingers to keep the twine from twisting, etc. ?

[@rayraffiki1856]

This is great. I'll have to try and make one.

[@ginahill503]

I love this!!! You make it look so easy! I'm going to give it a go! Thank you, for your instructional videos! Also...the green wool flat cap arrived beautifully, and I adore it!! Cheers!

[@SallyPointer]

Hooray!

[@wayfarersoutdoors]

Definitely going to make a few of these. Our George cat would've joined in rather than being companiable.

[@finnmacky7106]

Something I planned on learning and now have a few weeks to do it! Lol Thank you!

[@jamescosimini8364]

Thanks for your wonderfully informative videos, and to Good and Basic for the introduction!

[@najroe]

if you make a loop to the left when you pinch line with the thumb and put needle through when going up you don't need to go through the loop as a separate move to form the knot as loop is already there. bit difficult to explain in words as English is not my first language, hope it is clear. I have mended nets for over 40 years it is kind of automatic for me by now. currently making nettle cordage for the nettle challenge and will actually make a landing net for fly-fishing roughly the same way you did here just a frame of steam bent birch. oh, also you are doing the correct knot on the start, but It is a cowhitch, nog clovehitch, clovehitch would twist the loop, this would make first set of mesh twist if you remove the starting loop (something you do when making a fishing net).

[@SallyPointer]

You are absolutely right, I used the wrong word for the knot. I'd usually call this a larkshead knot but got my words wrong

[@cherayanjo8547]

Loved the video. Very easy to follow thank you so much for taking your time.

[@SallyPointer]

Really pleased it was useful

[@CHANTIP]

thank your so much for teaching, heart - from USA.

[@emreozen5708]

Great work.I was just looking for this.This will be very useful at fishing.Thank you very much.

[@vahidpiroozbakht]

I was looking for this tutorial for a long. it was really nice, especially with your pretty accent that made it much more interesting

[@SallyPointer]

Thank you!

[@myvikingmom6218]

I made a net tonight! Thank you so much!

[@SallyPointer]

That's fantastic!

[@281covfefe5]

Thnxs for uploading and sharing this 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@EricaNernie]

Thanks! I'm going to make a net bag just to hang on the wall and look pretty. I'm using hemp string. Very satisfying.

[@FishMH]

Just amazing... how did you ever figure it out ? Now I see why the kitty comes. Not only various strings and knots but a weaving, a challenge forever blessed by feline paws. In a way the loops and layers remind me of "Hello Quatum". It's a challenge game , that starts off with a particle, then several more, you arrange them,sequence them "loop"in 1 layer, then layer them and "loop the layers" .Measured distances but different patterns of particles, arrangements when viewed singularly, but when finished is a strong useful (random) quantum of sorts. Your lattice knotting & weaving is similar in a way, hard to explain but an old mind interpets the repitition and loose structure that way. You randomly create a shape, cubic storage size, can change it at any time... Forgive the rambling...I need to find some Nettles,my bag of twine....a can of tuna to lure a ," random kitty" Your skills are most impressive. !! Thank you ever so much for sharing it.

[@codeklopper6790]

I saw you in a video of good and basic and instantly subscribed :) I really like using this starting loop as well when I make dipnets. You are the first i have seen on youtube starting a net like this.

[@ruthjohnson1001]

That's very helpful. Great for project at home. ☺

[@fiona36b]

Lovely work ❤

[@ChrisSmith-vc7xs]

I'm following along with the video. Currently adding 3rd row of 1L 2L. it's ugly, I've made mistakes, overloaded the needle a few times, but progress has been made. Thanks for the demonstration.

[@jfrankfather]

Thank you. Your video was very informative.

[@catherinewalks1207]

A really helpful video, thank you!

[@stevenrobertson4470]

Really a fun video! I'm trying it out only with jute string and a 2 inch gauge. You might find it faster using the back-of-the-hand method.

[@iluvhammys]

you've got some very good birds!

[@WLagosz]

Very helpful tutorial.

[@jt659]

Just found your channel. It's like Christmas came super early!

[@MsAnpassad]

Wax the first few inches of the thread, then the loop slides easily shut when joining the ring.

[@nerowolfga8543]

Great idea!

[@TheDevonblacksmith]

Thank you for sharing. I have supervisory cats that appear in most of my videos as well.

[@valsajayan986]

Great makes

[@vanessad2873]

Oh my gosh the beginning daisy is basically the same as tatting lace!!

[@SallyPointer]

Absolutely the same!

[@gagelanderyou9076]

My name is Gage, this video makes me so happy hahaha

[@seba4053]

I'm roman but I'm not able to do this things, i'm learning 😂😂 thank you!

[@matthewhuxtable1557]

Wonderful!

[@TiliaCitrus]

Thanks for sharing.

[@johnny30806]

very cool thank you for the knowledge

[@EileenMKeyes]

Wonderful

[@MoniqueAO888]

Frohe Weihnachten und ein Gutes Neues Jahr 🎄

[@catalhuyuk7]

I just love watching whatever you do. So comforting.♥️🇨🇦

[@WEYMOUTHHARBOUR]

Very very informative, I have now made my first draw net bag and moving on to the next Thankyou

[@SallyPointer]

That's wonderful to hear! Thanks for letting me know it was useful 🙂

[@WEYMOUTHHARBOUR]

But not mastered the slip knot at the beginning I used a stainless steel ring

[@UnReaLgeek]

Another ancient use for a net bag: dirty clothes.

[@buynsell365]

LMAO!!!

[@Garybonn]

You are such a good teacher! :D

[@audrablagniene5771]

Thank you :)

[@batchit]

Hi Sally, have you mentioned in one of your videos about using a flame of some description to singe off the loose fibres? I can remember reading it somewhere but I cannot remember where. I have made an onion bag out of elcheapo jute string and it has a more fuzz than a newly hatched squab. Thank you for the inspiration to weave my bag.

[@SallyPointer]

It's not something I've ever needed to do, especially as fine fluff will quickly wear off as the item gets used,, but I know a lot of people do like singing off loose bits

[@deborahboykin5900]

answered my question here.

[@susansstudio267]

Thank you, great teacher. Btw my cat helps me too. Usually she try’s laying right on my work and hands. :-)

[@SallyPointer]

Where would we be without helpful cats!

[@jamesbrown99991]

Those clove hitches look suspiciously like cow hitches :)

[@SallyPointer]

I think you are right

[@sweetmaths4213]

❤ ty

[@lalitsahoo7201]

Nice tutorial thanks mam...,🍭🍭🍭

[@judyh.5875]

Oops - gauge stick needs to be as wide or a bit wider than shuttle packed with string… back to the beginning for me.

[@phillydragonfly]

I think I’d like to use cotton yarn, and make market bags. This would be much quicker work than crocheting them, like I usually do.

[@SallyPointer]

Cotton yarn should work fine

[@phillydragonfly]

Sally Pointer Thanks for responding! That gives me the confidence to try it. 😊

[@Nature.Sketcher]

thankyou****