Possible Clues:

• Swindle to reduce the rent?
• Cheat to finish knitting?
• Repair frame
• Use thread to mend frame
• What's the matter, turning up to nail little fellow in swindle?
• Instance of making someone wrongly take the blame
• Fix (situation) to someone's advantage (colloq.)
• Reduce the rent in a swindle?
• Mend frame
• A deal so as to gain an advantage