Diagram No. 10.—Slewing
The Sixteen-Spoke Centermeans sixteen spokes arranged in groups of fours in the following manner: first, four spokes are placed in a vertical position, the next four in a horizontal position over the first four, the remaining eight spokes arranged in diagonal positions, one diagonal four laid over the other diagonal four in an opposite direction. A weaver is placed under the left-hand horizontal group and simple weaving is woven over one group and under another until four rows are completed. The spokes are then separated into groups of twos by bringing the weavers over and under every two spokes instead of four. This may be finishedeither in simple weaving with one weaver, or by inserting another weaver, in pairing.
Diagram No. 11.—Sixteen-Spoke Center
In cutting the ends of spokes always cut obliquely to prevent the reed from splitting.
In splitting spokes, the incision must be made carefully in the center of the spoke. Do not make the incision larger than is necessary.
Diagram No. 12.—A Split Spoke
Half of the number of spokes needed should be split in center, and the other half inserted through the incision.
In beginning a new weaver join it to the other weaver by crossing both ends back of a spoke.
Diagram No. 13.—Joining Weavers
Fig. 4
Material
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Make an incision in the center of each of 4 spokes as illustrated in Fig. 1. Through these 4 spokes insert the other group of 4 spokes and the short spoke as in Fig. 1. You are now ready for the first step. Place a wet strand of raffia back of the 4 horizontal spokes; pass it over the group of 4 vertical spokes, back of the 5 horizontal spokes, over the lower 4 vertical spokes and back of the first group of horizontal spokes. Separate the groups of fours into groups of twos by bringing the raffia over 2 spokes, under 2 spokes, treating the short spoke as a separate group. Fig. 2. When two rows have been finished, the third and last step is made by weaving the raffia under 1 spoke and over the next,thus separating each spoke. Fig. 3. After the spokes are well separated, take a piece of No. 2 reed, place it back of a spoke and begin weaving over 1 spoke, and back of the next one, until thirty-two rows of weaving are completed. This will make the mat about 53⁄4inches in diameter. You are now ready for the border.
Open Border No. 1
Allow about 61⁄2inches for this border. This border is made by placing each spoke back of the next spoke to the right, and pushing it down by the side of this spoke through the weaving.
Diagram No. 14.—Open Border No. 1
Open Border No. 2
Open border No. 2 is made by bringing one spoke back of the next two spokes to the right and pushingit well down through the weaving, by the side of the spoke.
Diagram No. 15.—Open Border No. 2
Fig. 5
Material
After the spokes are arranged for weaving, take a short strand of 00 reed, fasten and separate the spokes. Weave 13⁄4inches with 00 reed, then with No. 2 natural reed, weave six rows. Follow this with six rows of blue, then change to natural,and weave eleven rows natural, then with the blue reed, weave nine rows, change to natural, and finish the weaving with six rows of natural color reed. Complete the mat with the following closed border:
Diagram No. 16.—Closed Border No. 1 (Part 1)
Diagram No. 17.—Closed Border No. 1 (Part 2)
Closed Border No. 1
Weaving to the right, carry one spoke back of the next spoke and out to the front; proceed in this way until every spoke is placed in this position.The last spoke is pushed back and under the first one. For the second row of this border, place the first spoke, which had been brought back of the second, in front of the third spoke and back of the fourth spoke. Continue in this manner until the row is finished. Be careful to draw all the spokes tight, leaving just space enough for the preceding spoke to pass through.
Fig. 6
Material
The bottom of this basket is begun just like the mat. After the spokes are separated with the raffia, begin the weaving, and weave until a base three inches is woven, then weave two rows with a weaver of the tan reed. This completes the bottom of the basket. Wet the spokes well and with a plier press them hard and turn them up. With the same weaver continue the weaving until seven rowshave been woven up the side. During the weaving hold the spokes firmly and straight. Change the weave now to the natural color and work twelve rows, then with another ring of tan reed complete the weaving of the basket with nine rows. Finish the basket with Open Border No. 2.
Bands of tan, combined with the natural color and woven over brown spokes, make a very pretty effect.
Fig. 7
The second basket for the beginner is the pencil basket, much like the first, with sides higher and with a closed border. This basket is woven all in the natural color and then painted in gold.
Material
In a similar manner, as illustrated in Fig. 4, make a base 23⁄4inches. Turn the sides up sharply and weave 31⁄2inches. Complete with Closed Border No. 1.
Fig. 8
This basket is woven in the natural color and afterwards dipped in brown dye. It makes a useful holder for spools.
Material
With No. 1 reed, weave a base four inches. Press the spokes with the plier until soft. Turn them sharply upward and hold them straight. With No. 2 reed weave the sides 13⁄4inches. With the spokes well soaked, press and hold them in towards the center of the basket. Continue the weaving, drawing the weaver tightly, until five rows are woven. Complete basket with the following border:
Closed Border No. 2
For the first row of this border, place each spoke back of the next one, weaving to the right, and bring it out to the front. For the second row, each weaver is brought in front of the next 2 spokes and back of the next spoke or—numbering the spokes1, 2, 3, 4, 5:—No. 1 spoke is brought back of No. 2 spoke, in front of the third and fourth spokes, and back of the fifth spoke, where it rests. Continue in this manner until all the spokes are woven in position. This border makes a decidedly pretty effect.
Diagram No. 18.—Closed Border No. 2
Fig. 9
This little curved basket is woven with brown reed over natural color spokes. The border is of the natural color reed being a continuation of the spokes.
Material
Weave the center of this basket with brown raffia to carry out the same effect as the brown reed.
Weave 11⁄4inches with raffia. With a No. 2 brown weaver continue the weaving until a base 21⁄2inches is woven. After the sides are turned up, continue weaving up the sides, drawing the spokes gradually outward toward the weaver, until the basket measures 21⁄2inches high. Continue the weaving, drawing the weaver tightly and pressing the spokes in toward the center, until 13⁄4inches more are woven. The basket should now have a slightly rounded effect. The diameter of basket should now be about three inches. The basket is curved outward in the following manner. Work the spokes outward and press them down toward the side of basket; hold firmly and continue the weaving in an easy manner. When nine rows of weaving are finished, complete the basket with Closed Border No. 1.
Fig. 10
This basket is woven over green spokes, with green bands about an inch from the top and bottomof basket. Green rings may be made for handle.
Material
Weave a center, and separate the spokes with green raffia. With No. 2 natural reed weave a base 31⁄2inches. Turn the sides up and drawing them outward weave ten rows. Change the reed to No. 2 green and holding the spokes in the same manner, weave a band of green7⁄8inch wide, then a band of the natural color 11⁄2inches wide.
Change the reed now to green. Hold the spokes well in toward the center and draw the weaver tightly. Work a band of green one inch and finish the weaving with one inch of natural reed. Complete the basket with the following closed border:
Closed Border No. 3
As in the Closed Border No. 1 and No. 2, run each spoke back of the next spoke on the right and out to the front. The second row is woven by placing each spoke in front of the next threespokes to the right and back of the sixth. Weave each spoke in this way until the row is completed.
Diagram No. 19.—Closed Border No. 3
Fig. 11
This flower pot covering basket is made of the natural reed. It may either be dipped in any shade of dye or stained. The one illustrated was dipped in dye when completed.
Material
Weave a bottom 41⁄4inches. The sides are made by holding the spokes outward until 41⁄2inches are woven. This makes the diameter of thebasket 43⁄4inches. To obtain the outward slanting effect point the spokes straight out towards the weaver, and, after weaving four rows turn and hold the spokes slantingly upward. Finish this weave with six more rows. Complete the basket with the Closed Border No. 2.
Fig. 12
This little basket may either be used for holding matches or tooth picks. It is woven in No. 2 natural reed over a small drinking glass, with No. 00 as weaver. When finished, stain in old rose “Easy Dye” diluting the dye to get the tint desired.
Material
Weave a base 11⁄8inches with No. 00 reed. Turn sharply upward and continue weaving until fifty-one rows of single weaving are woven. Be careful to keep the spokes straight and to weave closely. Complete the tray with Closed Border No. 1.
Make the ring handles one inch in diameter and attach to the basket under the border.
Separate bottom basket: the bottom of the basket is made separate from the sides, the latter being made by inserting spokes between the weaving, after the bottom is finished, and attaching them with an upsetting of three, four, or five rod coils. A bottom with an even number of spokes is woven with two weavers in pairing, or with three in triple twist.
Fig. 13
Material
Make a bottom five inches. For the sides insert the thirty-one spokes in the bottom, one inch from edge. Place each spoke by the side of a base spoke. Turn up sharply and with three green weavers, make two rows of triple twist in this manner.
Place each of the three weavers back of a consecutive spoke, and beginning with the first weaver to the left, place it in front of the next two spokes to the right, back of the next spoke and then out to the front. Treat the other two weavers the same way, bringing each weaver in front of two spokes, back of one and out to the front. Continue this until two rows are woven.
With No. 2 natural reed weave 21⁄2inches, holding the spokes so as to get a very slight outward effect, then with thirteen rows of weaving, draw the spokes inward to obtain the rounded effect. Finish the weaving with two rows of triple twist in green, and complete the basket with the following border: First row, each spoke is placed back of the next spoke to the right and out; second row, each spoke is placed in front of three spokes to the right and in back of the next spoke, where it rests.
Fig. 14
Material
Over the 8 spoke center weave a base in pairing, 41⁄2inches in diameter. Separate 34 spokes in groups of twos, and considering each group of spokes as one spoke, insert them in base. One spoke in base will have a group placed each side of it, making 17 spokes. Attach the sides to base with an upset of two rows of rope twist. Work eighteen rows in double weave. The spokes are now flared slightly outward and five more rows complete the weaving.
The basket is finished off with No. 2 Closed Border. Continue the use of the two spokes as one throughout the border.
Fig. 15
The following three baskets are given to show how colored reed may be introduced and the effective result.
Material
Over a 10 spoke center, weave in pairing, six rows in natural color, change to brown and white, and weave four rows in pairing, change the weave to natural and complete the bottom which should be five inches in diameter. After inserting spokes for the sides, weave an upset in two rows of wale weave. Place a natural color weaver back of one spoke and weave one row around, stopping at the spoke where the weaving was begun; back of the spoke, to the right of the one where the first weaver was placed, insert the brown weaver and weave around until the first weaver is reached. Continue this weave, first the natural then the brown, holding the spokes all the time slightly up and outward. Do this until thirty-eight rows of weaving are finished, nineteen of each color, alternating white and brown stripes. Finish the basket with two rows of triple twist and the following border. First row, each spoke is brought back of the one to the right and out, second row each spoke is brought in front of next three to the right and in back of the fourth spoke.
Handle
Place one end of an 8 inch spoke well down by the side of one of the spokes in the basket.Place the other end down the basket leaving about a three inch space between the ends. To the left of the handle place a brown weaver by the side of the inserted end of handle, bring it up over the handle on the outside, and weave three twists around the handle about an inch apart; bring the weaver over the handle to the inside of basket, down under the triple and out to the front. Follow the twist around the handle with the weaver until the handle is completely covered. End the weaver by bringing it up from the inside of the basket between the handle and down through the border and triple twist where it is lost amid the weaving.
Fig. 16
Material
Make a five inch base. Fasten the sides with an upset of two rows brown triple. The sides of thisbasket are woven in double weaving, one weaver of brown, the other of natural color. Eighteen rows of slewing with two rows of brown triple finish the weaving of the basket. Hold the spoke slightly out and up while weaving. Complete the basket with border described in preceding sewing basket. Handle is made as in preceding basket.
Fig. 17
Material
Make a base 61⁄2inches. Insert the spokes for sides and weave two rows of triple twist in No. 4 natural reed. The sides of this basket are woven in blue and white in the checker design, in the following way:
With No. 2 light blue reed, weave one row, stopping at the spoke to the left of where the weaver was inserted; back of this spoke, insert a natural color weaver and weave one row around meeting the first weaver. Continue the weaving now withthe blue weaver, work in this way, first with blue reed, then with natural color, until eight rows are woven—you now have a striped effect of four rows in blue and four in white. In order to get the checker effect, the weave must now change. Bring each weaver back of two spokes at the end of the eighth row of weaving. If the weaving is correct the ninth row of weaving, which is in blue, will be woven under and over the same spokes as the eighth row, which is white. The ninth row is the beginning of the new group of weaving. Continue this weaving until you make five or six checks. The weaving should now be four rows of blue, four of white, four blue, four white, four blue, which gives a prominence to the blue, and makes a decidedly artistic piece of work.
During the weaving the spokes should be held in an outward direction. Follow this with two rows of triple twist and border described as follows:
Plaited Border
This border is especially appropriate for large baskets and trays. Allow thirteen inches for this border, spokes3⁄4inch apart.
Insert 4 spokes which should be one inch longer than the spokes of the basket. Place eachspoke by the side of each of 4 border spokes. This makes four groups of 2 spokes each. Number these groups 1, 2, 3, 4. Bend down towards the outside of basket No. 1, 2, 3 groups. Take No. 1 group pass it over Nos. 2 and 3 groups, in front of No. 4 group, and back of the next spoke which is No. 5 spoke. Bend down No. 4 group towards the outside of basket. Place No. 2 group over No. 3 and 4 groups, and back of No. 6 spoke. Bring No. 1 group, which is back of No. 5 spoke, to the outside of basket, by crossing it over No. 2 group between No. 5 and No. 6 spokes. Now bend down No. 5 spoke by the side of this group. Pass No. 3 group over the two groups on the outside of basket, and up between the two upright spokes. No. 2 group is brought to the outside of basket by crossing it over No. 3 group between No. 6 and No. 7 spokes. Bend down No. 6 spoke by the side of this group. No. 4 group is woven in same manner as No. 2 and 3. After the fourth group is woven, you should have one group of 2 spokes on the inside of basket and three groups of 3 spokes each on the outside of basket. Continue the border by weaving two of each group of 3 spokes, lying on outside of basket, over the next two groups on the outside of basket, in front of the first upright spoke, and back of the second where it rests until next groupis woven. The first inside group now is drawn to the outside of the basket by crossing it over this group between the two upright spokes. The first upright spokes are always bent down to the outside of basket by the side of this group. When all the groups are woven in this manner, there should be 1 spoke from each group facing the outside of basket, and four groups of 2 spokes each on the inside of basket where the border is completed. Cut all the spokes closely.
The first three groups of spokes at the beginning of the border should not be drawn tight, enough space should be left to allow the last three groups of the border to pass through them easily. The remainder of border should be woven tightly and close to the basket.
Fig. 18
This little basket is a very convenient receptacle for holding loose threads or scraps while sewing.
Material
Through an 8 spoke base, five inches wide, insert the 31 spokes. Weave two rows green triple, follow this in double weave using green and natural reed. Weave seven rows. Change to single weaving, using two weavers, and weave fourteen rows in the striped effect showing green and white stripe. Complete the weaving with two rows green in triple effect and the following border:
Reversed Rope Border
Each spoke of the first row is brought back of the next spoke to the right and out. In the second row each spoke is brought back of the next spoke and out, showing a rope effect with spokes on outside.
Fig. 19
The basket is woven, over a 16 spoke center, entirely of No. 2 reed. The spokes and triple twist are of brown reed while the remainder of the basket is woven in the natural color.
Material
Over the 16 spokes weave a base in pairing four inches in diameter. In the first three rows, consider each group of fours as one spoke, then separate the group of fours into groups of twos with seven rows of pairing. Consider each group of 2 spokes as 1 spoke throughout the base. The base should now be four inches in diameter. Turn the spokes with an upset of three rows of triple twist No. 2 brown reed.
Holding the spokes slightly up and outward, weave the basket two inches high. Now drawing the weaver tightly and pushing spokes inward toward center of basket weave twelve rows of single weaving. Finish with three rows of triple twist No. 2 brown reed. When this is completed take each spoke, and bring it out back of the next spoke to the right and down through the three rows of triple twist. Holding the spoke firmly, pass it through the three rows of triple twist at the base of the basket. Continue this with each group of spokes, which will show the striped effect on outside of basket. When all the spokes have been pulled through the triple twist at bottom of base, turn the basket upside down, and if the open border at the top of the basket is even, you are ready to completethe border at base of the basket. This border serves as a little stand for the basket.
Border
Weaving to the right, each spoke is woven in front of the next spoke and back of the second spoke to the right where the end is cut off.
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
This little basket, in the striped design of blue and white with blue handle, was made by a little 10-year-old boy of the defective delinquent class.
Material
Weave a base, with the striped design carried out, 23⁄4inches. Two weavers are necessary to get this effect—one blue, the other of natural color. Weave these two colors in pairing. With the spokes slightly flared outward, weave the sides, in the striped effect, 31⁄2inches. With two weavers of blue and one of natural, weave two rows of “Wale.” Finish with Open Border No. 2.
Handle
Insert one end of the 20 inch spoke of No. 4 reed down through the weaving, to the right of one of the spokes of the basket. Insert the other end on the opposite side of basket in the same way. Place the end of a blue weaver down, through the weaving, by the side of inserted spoke, twist it over the handle, then under, then over, next under, over, until the end of the handle is reached, thus making nine twists around the handle. The last twist is passed back of the handle, over the triple twist to the inside of the basket, then it is brought to the outside of basket under the triple twist. Following the twists around the handle, the weaver is twirled in this way until the handle is completely covered by the blue weaver. Four rows of this weaving around the basket will cover the entire handle. To fasten the end of the weaver, carry it back of the spoke, between the woven handle, and down through the triple twist, where it is made secure and then cut off.
Fig. 22
This may be used in gathering eggs from the chicken yard or in doing little marketing. It is allwoven in natural color reed and after the basket is completed is dyed.
Material
Over 101⁄2spokes weave a base five inches in diameter. Turn up with three rows of No. 4 reed in triple twist. In single weaving, work the sides five inches high giving a slightly rounded effect and widening toward the top. Finish with three rows of triple and the following border.
Numbering the spokes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, take No. 1 spoke back of No. 2, in front of No. 3, back of No. 4, in front of No. 5, back of No. 6 where it rests; then No. 2 spoke follows in the same way, back of No. 3, in front of No. 4, back of No. 5, in front of No. 6, back of No. 7, where it rests. Each spoke is woven in the same manner until all spokes have disappeared amid the weaving.
Handle
To make the handle firm and strong, insert the ends four and a half inches through the weavingof the basket. The handle is entirely covered with No. 2 reed as described in preceding basket.
Fig. 23
Material
Weave a base four inches. Work the sides four inches high. Both the top and bottom of the sides are woven with two rows No. 4, triple twist. Finish with the following border. Number the spokes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Turn down the first four toward the outside of the basket. Place No. 1 spoke back of No. 2, No. 2 spoke back of No. 3, No. 3 spoke back of No. 4, No. 4 spoke back of No. 5; now bring No. 1 spoke over No. 2 and No. 3 spokes, in front of No. 5 spoke, over No. 4 spoke, back of No. 6 spoke. Carry No. 5 spoke back of No. 6 spoke and place it by the side of No. 1 spoke. In like manner, run No. 2 spoke over No. 3 and No. 4 spokes, in front of No. 6 spoke, over No. 5 spokeand back of No. 7 spoke. Place No. 6 spoke back of No. 7 spoke and bring it out to the front by the side of No. 2 spoke. Continue in this manner until all the spokes are woven in the proper position. Be careful to make the border uniform throughout. The diameter of the top of basket should now measure 63⁄4inches.
Diagram No. 20.—Heavy Border
The handle is not completely covered, like the preceding basket, but a small part of the foundation is shown between the twists.
The lid is made similar to that in the preceding lesson except on a larger scale. It should fit closely within the basket. The base when finished should measure 63⁄4inches. It is finished off with a Rope Twist Border. The handle of the lid is a twisted ring made as described in the preceding chapter.
Fig. 24
Material
On a three inch base, weave a slightly rounded basket five inches high. Finish with Closed Border No. 2.
In making a lid for a basket the first thing to be decided on is its shape; if the basket is barrel shaped, the lid to harmonize should have the curved effect. The lid of this basket is rounded to correspond with the basket.
Lid
Weave a good center, over the 61⁄2spokes, with either raffia or No. 00 reed. After3⁄4inch is woven, begin with fine No. 2 reed, and weave two rows, drawing the spokes in with the weaver. After two rows are woven, hold the spokes slightly outward and weave fourteen rows. Complete the basketwith the following border which is suitable for lids of baskets:
Rope Twist Border
Each spoke is passed in front of the next spoke to the right and brought inside the lid. For the second row, each spoke is passed to the outside of the lid over the next spoke to the right, and to the inside of the lid where it is cut off carefully.
The ring handle is made in the following way:
With a strand of No. 2 reed, 17 inches long, make a ring about one inch; then weaving alternately with one end and then the other, pass the ends in and out around the ring—two rows complete the ring. When the ring is finished you should have ends about 31⁄2inches long. These ends are fastened above two rows of the weaving in the lid, thus securing the ring to the lid.
After the lid is placed in proper position on the basket, it is fastened by holding the ring down by side of the basket and placing the center of a strand of No. 2 reed back of a spoke in the basket. Draw both ends out, and in the form of a cross, pass them over the lower part of ring, draw them under the weaving to the inside of the basket where they are woven in and out to make them secure.
The rings for the front of basket and lid are made in a similar way, the ends being woven in and out amid the weaving of the basket and lid. One ring should be smaller than the other to keep the larger ring from slipping out.