V. CIRCULAR BASKETS
This chapter deals with the construction of the basket usually called a workbasket, but it may be taken as typical of all circular baskets without handles. Figure I, A and B, shows a view looking into the basket. Notice that a portion of the weaving about the center of the bottom is done with the pairing weave, until the spokes are separated sufficiently to allow triple weaving. The bottom is then completed with the triple weaving making it much finer in appearance. B shows the effect of using one colored weaver and two natural ones.
When the bottom is woven, cut four times as many stakes as spokes, one-half colored and one-half natural. These stakes should be about six inches longer than twice the finished height of the basket. Insert one colored and one natural, as a pair, each side of each spoke in the bottom, as shown in Figure II, A, being careful to keep the colored ones either to the right or leftof the natural ones. After turning up these stakes weave three rows of triple weaving, and finish this weaving by pulling the weavers through, as shown in Figure II, B. These three weavers which form the lower band of weaving may be of natural or colored weavers. This of course depends entirely upon the ideas one has concerning the appearance of the finished basket.
Allow the stakes to flare a little more than is desired in the finished basket, as the turning over of the stakes draws the top in slightly. If an open space is wanted between the bands of triple weaving, weave one or two rows of flat weavers before weaving the second row of triple weavers, as shown in Figure III, A. This may be cut out after the basket is completed if one desires to insert a ribbon. Figure III, B, shows a basket just before the stakes are turned and with the space between the two rows oftriple weaving filled up with single weaving. Figure IV, A and B, shows the method of turning over the stakes. The ends are inserted through the outer loops of the triple weave three and one-half spaces to the right or left of where the stake itself comes through the upper row of triple weaving. By turning to the right or left the colored weaver may be brought outside, regardless of how it may be inserted in the bottom. When the colored bands are used it is well to have the outer stake of the colored, as at B. The tucking in of the stakes is now continued until all completed when the basket is turned bottom side up and the loops all made to touch a flat surface. Great care must be taken in doing this, as the finished appearance of the basket may be greatly marred by lack of attention to this particular point.
At this point decide whether the bottom rows of weaving are to be colored or natural; if colored, cut away the natural weaversat the bottom of the basket, as shown at Figure V, A. Next insert three weavers and weave one row of triple weaving in order that the remaining stakes may be brought to an upright position, as shown at Figure V, B. The bottom of the basket is now ready to close in. Take one upright stake, pass it in front of two, and to the inside and let it lay along the inside edge of the bottom; take each successive stake and do the same thing, as shown at Figure V, B. Figure VI, A, shows the appearance of the ends of these stakes as they lay along the inside edge of the bottom. This view also shows the space which may be used for the insertion of ribbon, after cutting out the filling of flat weavers. Figure VI, B, shows the appearance of the basket when completed with the single weaving as a filler between the two rows of triple weaving.
The basket illustrated in FigureVI, chapter 4, was made by this process; it was eight inches in diameter at the bottom and had a twenty spoke center.
The basket illustrated in Figure I, B, of this chapter has a sixteen spoke center and a bottom five and one-half inches in diameter. The height of the loops in baskets of this kind is somethingthat each worker must settle for himself. The tendency at first will be to get them too high. The combinations of color and proportion which may be worked out in baskets of this description are innumerable. I know of no construction which requires more artistic taste and a finer sense of correct proportion.