def _create_sponge(self, index):<EOL>
seed = self.seed_as_trits[:]<EOL>sponge = Kerl()<EOL>sponge.absorb(add_trits(seed, trits_from_int(index)))<EOL>sponge.squeeze(seed)<EOL>sponge.reset()<EOL>sponge.absorb(seed)<EOL>return sponge<EOL>
Prepares the hash sponge for the generator.