korsnät

Korsnät is a Swedish term meaning “cross net,” used to describe a type of fishing net with a grid-like, crosshatched mesh. The net is formed by two sets of cords that cross at right angles, creating square or nearly square openings. Traditionally korsnät were knotted by hand from natural fibers such as hemp or flax, and the crossings were secured with simple knots to hold the mesh in place. The straightforward construction made the nets relatively easy to repair and inspect, qualities valued in small-scale coastal fisheries.

Historically, korsnät were common in Nordic and Baltic regions where fishing communities used knotted nets for a range of purposes, including catching small schooling fish and serving as components of larger gear. The mesh size could be adjusted by changing the length of the square opening, allowing fishers to select nets appropriate for different species and water conditions. With industrialization and the widespread adoption of synthetic fibers in the 20th century, production shifted toward nylon and polyethylene, though traditional handwoven korsnät continue to be made in craft contexts and by artisans seeking to preserve historical netting techniques.

In contemporary contexts, korsnät also appear in folk crafts and decorative netting, where the grid pattern is valued for its aesthetic and historical associations. The term can thus refer both to a practical fishing net and to textile techniques that emphasize a crosshatched net structure.