FIG. 63

Fig. 63

The tray is made of natural reed No. 4 and No. 2. The inner base spokes are No. 4 reed, the inserted spokes No. 2 reed. Two spokes of No. 5 reed, twenty-eight inches long, are required for the handle—the weavers, No. 00 reed.

CHAPTER X
FRUIT BASKET TRAYS

MODEL 47.—FIG. 64
NO. 1 FRUIT BASKET TRAY

Fig. 64

Material

8 spokes No. 5 reed, 8 inches. 31 spokes No. 5 reed, 16 inches. 1 spoke No. 8 reed. 32 inches. Weavers No. 2 reed. Weavers No. 4 reed.

Insert and fasten the spokes in position with the cross weave. Weave four rows of No. 2 reed. Follow this with twelve rows of pairing and nine rows of double weaving.

Insert the 31 spokes and weave with No. 4 reed, four rows of three-rod coil. Pinch the spokes and set up three rows of triple twist. Weave eight rows of double weaving, holding the spokes slantingly outward. Finish with three rows of triple twist and the plaited border.

Handle

Insert the piece of No. 8 reed down through the border, through the weaving to the lower triple

twist. With No. 2 reed, coil eight rows around the handle making ten twists.

MODEL 48.—FIG. 65
NO. 2 FRUIT BASKET TRAY

Fig. 65

Material

16 spokes No. 2 tan reed, 46 inches. 30 spokes No. 2 tan reed, 16 inches. Weavers No. 2 reed. Weavers No. 3 reed. Tan colored dish. Handle—2 spokes No. 5 reed, 25 inches.

Over a 16 spoke center weave a base 31⁄2 inches, separating the spokes into groups of twos. Insert the 30 spokes. This will make groups of fours.

Turn up with two rows of No. 3 reed in triple twist. While weaving, curve the spokes to correspond to the curve of dish, draw the weavers tightly to hold the dish securely.

Follow the upset with eleven rows simple weaving. Consider every group of fours as one spoke. With two rows of triple twist in No. 3 reed, separate the groups of fours into groups of twos. Weave twenty-eight rows in simple weaving.

For the sides, take one spoke of each group, pass

it back of next two groups, bring it down the outside of basket and through the triple twist at base. The spokes will run singly on the outside of the basket, but will pass through the triple twist at the base in groups of twos. After all the groups have been passed through the triple twist the border is made as follows:

First row, each group is passed back of the next two groups to the right.

Second row, each group is passed in front of the next two groups, back of the third group where the ends are cut off closely.

Border for Top of Basket

First row, each single spoke is brought back of next two spokes.

Second row, each group is passed in front of next two groups and back of third group where the ends are cut closely.

Handle

Insert the ends of handle through the weaving about 13⁄4 inches apart. Coil six rows around the handle and fasten ends securely.

MODEL 49.—FIG. 66
NO. 3 FRUIT BASKET TRAY

Fig. 66

Material

8 spokes No. 5 reed, 36 inches. 9 spokes No. 5 reed, 15 inches. Weavers No. 2 reed. Weavers No. 3 reed.

Make a four inch base in pairing. Turn sharply upward and slant inward with four rows of No. 3 reed in three-rod twist. Weave eight rows in No. 2 reed, over two, under one. Change the reed to No. 00. Weave six rows, over two spokes, under one, with three stands of No. 00 reed in slewing. The weaver must constantly keep drawing the reed tight and holding the spokes well in towards the center. With a strand of No. 00 reed, make eighteen rows in the plain weave. The diameter should be now 11⁄4 inches. Hold the spokes slightly outward and with three weavers in slewing, make seven rows, weaving in front of 2 spokes, back of 1 spoke. The diameter should now be almost two inches.

Insert the 9 spokes, placing a single spoke by the side of every other spoke. Soak all the spokes well, pinch with pliers and bend the spokes straight outward.

Hold them in this position until three rows of pairing, three rows of triple twist No. 2 reed and five rows of single weaving are completed.

Bend the spokes in a curved effect, hold them slightly outward and upward. In this position weave ten rows double weaving. Holding the spokes now in a pronounced upward curve, weave five rows of triple twist in No. 4 reed.

The following border completes the tray: Turn down three spokes—No. 1 spoke back of No. 2, No. 2 spoke back of No. 3, No. 3 spoke back of No. 4. Now place No. 1 spoke in front of the third and fourth spokes and back of the fifth spoke; likewise place No. 2 spoke in front of the fourth and fifth spokes and back of the sixth spoke. Continue this around the basket until all the spokes are woven in the border.

MODEL 50.
DESK TRAY

Material

Board 12 inches by 10 inches. 45 spokes No. 5 reed, 19 inches. Weavers No. 2 reed. Weavers No. 4 reed.

A desk tray is a very useful article and is made as follows:

Bore 45 holes through the board about 3⁄8 inch in from the edge of the board. Insert the 45 spokes through these holes allowing 31⁄2 inches for the bottom. Make a foundation stand by weaving these end spokes in front of 2 spokes and back of the third spoke.

The sides are woven with two rows of three rod coil, then in double weaving until the tray is 21⁄2 inches high. Follow this with two rows of triple twist and the plaited border.

MODEL 51.—FIG. 67
SMALL SERVING TRAY

Fig. 67

Material

Board 91⁄2 inches by 61⁄4 inches. Glass 83⁄4 inches by 53⁄4 inches. Cretonne 83⁄4 inches by 53⁄4 inches. 60 spokes No. 2 reed, 15 inches. Weavers No. 2 reed.

Bore 60 holes through the board large enough for No. 2 reed to slip through easily. The holes should be one-half inch apart—19 holes on each of the lengthwise sides and 12 on each end.

Pass the spokes through each hole. Allow 11⁄2 inches for the bottom of tray. For the base border weave one row of pairing and the following border: Each spoke is passed in front of the first spoke to

right and back of the second spoke. When all the spokes are woven in this way, place the tray on a flat surface and make sure the base border is perfectly even and level.

The cretonne and glass should be identical in size. Lay the cretonne on the board flat and even, and place the glass over it. The glass must fit snugly and tightly to make a perfect tray. Keep the spokes moist to allow easy weaving. The weavers must be soaked until very pliable. Weave 1⁄2 inch of pairing with No. 2 reed or nine rows. Follow this with one row of triple twist in No. 3 reed. The plaited border completes the tray.

A very pretty effect may be obtained by having a pale pink flowered cretonne and natural color reed. The cretonne and color of reed should always harmonize.

MODEL 52.
OBLONG SERVING TRAY

Material

Board 17 inches by 12 inches. Cretonne 161⁄4 inches by 111⁄2 inches. Glass 161⁄4 inches by 111⁄2 inches. 99 spokes No. 5 brown reed, 19 inches. Weavers No. 4 reed. Brown stain.

Bore 99 holes through board equal distance apart. Stain the board brown. Insert the spokes and allow 31⁄2 inches for the bottom stand. Make a border for this stand in the following manner:

First row, each spoke is brought back of next spoke to right.

Second row, each spoke is passed in front of the next spoke and in back of the next where the end is cut off.

The sides are now woven. A 4-rod coil No. 4 reed holds the glass firmly in place. Follow this with seven rows double weaving No. 2 brown reed and one row No. 4 reed in 4-rod coil. Complete the tray with the plaited border.

After the tray is finished, singe it to get rid of all the loose bits of reed—then polish the board with two or three coats of wax. The cretonne, reed and stain should harmonize in color. A soft brush produces best results in polishing the basket.

MODEL 53.
OVAL SERVING TRAY

Material

Board 20 inches by 14 inches. Glass 19 inches by 13 inches. Cretonne 19 inches by 13 inches. 52 spokes No. 5 brown reed, 20 inches. Weavers No. 4 reed.

The holes should be made about one inch apart. Insert the 52 spokes and make foundation stand as described under preceding model. Be careful that the board is perfectly dry before placing the cretonne upon it. Keep the spokes moist by using a wet sponge; be careful not to allow any water to get under the glass while weaving. Best results are obtained by staining the board first and then weaving a dyed reed; good results, however, may be obtained by making the tray in natural reed first and then staining the board and reed. Great care must be exercised in painting the tray after it is made.

The sides of the oval tray are woven two inches high. First weave one row of 4-rod coil then seven rows of double weaving in pairing. One row of 4-rod coil and the plaited border completes the tray. Polish as described under preceding model.

MODEL 54.
ROUND SERVING TRAY

Material

Diameter of board 10 inches. Diameter of glass 91⁄4 inches. Diameter of cretonne 91⁄4 inches. 39 spokes No. 4 reed, 20 inches. Weavers No. 4 reed.

Prepare the board by making 39 holes 5⁄8 of an inch from edge of board, 3⁄4 inch spacing between each hole. Insert the 39 spokes. Weave an under base stand in the following manner: First row, each spoke is brought back of next spoke to right and out in front. Second row, each spoke is passed in front of next spoke to right and in back of second spoke where it is cut off.

This base weaving should be uniform throughout so that the tray base may be perfectly even. Stand the tray on a flat desk and see that each spoke touches the desk. For the side of the tray weave one row of 4-rod wale and finish the ends in the usual way.

Insert one No. 4 weaver and weave nine rows around the tray. Introduce four weavers and work one row of 4-rod coil. Finish the tray with the plaited border.

CHAPTER XI
SCRAP BASKETS

MODEL 55.—FIG 68
SMALL SCRAP BASKET (CHECKER DESIGN)

Fig. 68

Material

8 spokes No. 4 reed, 6 inches. 31 spokes No. 4 reed, 19 inches. Weavers No. 2 reed. Weavers No. 4 reed. Handle—2 spokes No. 6 reed, 10 inches.

Weave a base 53⁄4 inches. Insert 31 spokes and weave the sides 81⁄2 inches high, in the following manner:

Turn the spokes up with two rows of triple twist No. 4 reed, then six rows of double weaving in No. 2 reed. Change to blue No. 4 reed and make a coil of triple twist; then in blue and white check weave sixteen rows. Follow this with one row of No. 4 blue reed in triple twist. Change the reed to No. 2 natural and weave twelve rows in double weaving. One row of blue No. 4 reed, triple twist, follows this, then sixteen rows of blue and white check

(2 checks) and one row of blue No. 4 reed in triple. Change the reed again and work five rows double weaving in No. 2 reed. Follow this with two rows of triple twist and the border described under Model 22.

Insert the ends of the handle well down amid the weaving and with No. 2 reed make four coils around the handle.

MODEL 56.—FIG. 69
LARGE SCRAP BASKET (CHECKER DESIGN)

Fig. 69

Material

8 spokes No. 5 reed, 8 inches. 31 spokes No. 5 reed, 27 inches. Weavers No. 4 blue reed. Weavers No. 4 natural reed.

Weave a base 71⁄2 inches. Insert 31 spokes and turn up with four rows of triple. Weave twelve rows single weaving in No. 4 natural reed, then one row in triple twist, No. 4 blue reed. Seven checks in blue and natural follow this. Weave one row in triple with No. 4 blue reed and twelve rows No. 4 natural.

Follow this with three rows of triple in No. 4 natural reed.

Complete the basket with plaited border described under Model 14.

MODEL 57.—FIG. 70
SCRAP BASKET IN OVAL REED

Fig. 70

Material

8 spokes No. 5 reed, 61⁄2 inches. 31 spokes No. 5 reed, 27 inches. Weavers No. 4 reed. Weavers No. 5 oval reed. Handle—2 spokes No. 6 reed, 46 inches.

Weave a base 6 inches. Insert 31 spokes. Pinch sharply and turn up with three rows of triple No. 5 reed. In No. 5 oval reed make forty-six rows, placing the weaver over 3 spokes and back of 2 spokes. Carry this weave throughout the basket. Finish with three rows of triple in No. 5 reed and the plaited border.

Handle

Make two rings for the ring handles and fasten them to the sides of the basket.

MODEL 58.—FIG. 71
RUSH SCRAP BASKET

Fig. 71

Material

8 spokes No. 5 reed, 8 inches. 31 spokes No. 5 reed, 27 inches. Weavers No. 5 reed. Weavers braided rush.

Over an 8 spoke foundation, weave a base 71⁄2 inches in pairing, with No. 4 reed.

Insert 31 spokes No. 5 reed. Pinch sharply and turn the spokes upward with three rows triple twist in No. 5 reed. In single weaving, weave twenty rows of braided rush. Complete the sides with four rows of triple twist in No. 5 reed. The plaited border completes the basket.

While weaving, the spokes should be held slantingly outward. Care should be exercised not to spread the spokes outward too much as this will spoil the shape of basket. The diameter at the top of the basket, when finished, should be twelve inches.

MODEL 59.
NO. 2 FLOWER BASKET

Material

8 spokes No. 4 reed, 41⁄2 inches. 26 spokes No. 4 reed, 18 inches. 11 spokes No. 4 reed, 12 inches. Weavers No. 2 reed. Weavers No. 3 reed. Weavers No. 4 reed. Handle—1 spoke No. 8 reed, 30 inches.

Weave a base in pairing, 33⁄4 inches. Turn sharply upward with three rows of triple weave. Hold the spokes straight and weave, with No. 2 reed, three inches in pairing. Take a strand of No. 3 reed and weave six rows. Begin the shaping of the basket by holding the side spokes upright and bend the end spokes sharply down the outside of the basket. Continue the weaving until sixteen more rows are woven.

Insert the 11 spokes, between the end spokes of the basket—5 spokes on one end and 6 on the other.

Weave eight rows of triple twist and the border described under Model 22.

Insert the handle spoke, down the side of the basket. In the coil twist, weave five rows. Fasten the ends of the weavers securely.

MODEL 60.
NO. 3 FLOWER BASKET

Material

61⁄2 spokes No. 5 reed, 6 inches. 26 spokes No. 5 reed, 24 inches. 15 spokes No. 5 reed, 12 inches. Weavers No. 2 reed. Weavers No. 4 reed. Handle—1 spoke No. 8 reed, 20 inches.

Complete a base five inches. Insert 26 spokes and turn sharply with three rows of triple weave. Hold the spoke straight upward, and make seventeen rows No. 2 reed, weaving over two spokes and under one spoke. Introduce slew wale with two weavers. Work twelve rows, over two spokes under one spoke.

Insert the 15 spokes, 8 at one end and 7 at the other end. Weave two rows of 3-rod coil. Wet the spokes well and bend the end spokes down the outside of the basket. Hold the spokes in this position during the rest of the weaving—that is, hold the side spokes erect and the end spokes in a downward flare. Introduce two No. 2 weavers and make fifteen rows in pairing. Open the end spokes and bend them down. Weave seven rows

in triple twist with No. 4 reed. Finish with the border described under Model 22.

Insert the 20 inch spoke for handle. Weave, in coil effect, four rows around the handle. Fasten the handle securely to the basket.

CHAPTER XII
UTILITY BASKETS

MODEL 61.—FIG. 72
ARTISTIC BASKET WITH LID

Fig. 72

Material

10 spokes No. 5 reed, 6 inches. 21 spokes No. 5 reed, 18 inches. Weavers No. 4 reed. Weavers No. 2 reed. Lid—16 spokes No. 4 reed, 15 inches.

Make a bottom in the ordinary way, 51⁄2 inches. Insert the spokes, pinch, and make an upsetting four rows in 3-rod coil. Hold the spokes in a slightly slanting outward direction during the weaving of the basket. In plain weave, make 21⁄4 inches. Follow this with four rows triple weave and the border described under Model 22.

Lid

Arrange the spokes in position. In ribbon weave, work one row No. 00 reed. With No. 1 reed, weave four rows in pairing. Hold the spokes

to secure a curved center for lid. Separate the spokes into groups of twos with five rows of pairing. Separate into single spokes with two rows triple twist No. 2 reed. Holding the spokes in an outward position, weave nine rows pairing. Wet the spokes and place the lid on a flat board or table. Press the spokes flat on the board and weave two rows of No. 4 reed in triple twist. In plain weave, work six rows. Complete the weaving with the following border: Turn the lid upside down. Take each spoke back of next spoke to the right, bring it to the front of the lid. Second row, each spoke is passed in front of next two spokes and back of the third spoke, where it is cut off.

Handle

Make a ring 11⁄4 inches in diameter. Fasten it to the center of the lid by weaving the ends in and out amid the weaving of lid.