I've made my own nets for years now, but when I first started with them I used garden twine to practice with. Almost like using hemp, and I prefer using hemp too. the three ply stuff is my prefered choice. I have knitted nets using a thread call tiger thread that they use in saddlery its very strong and makes some realy good netts but is expensive. They are my favourite nets of all.
Cheers Weedy.