RAFFIA
This flexible fiber, long used by florists, is now also used a great deal in the schools for the educational hand-training it affords. It can be obtained at kindergarten supply places.
Take three to six strands and braid into reins for playing horse. As the ends of the strands are approached (each is about a yard long) begin to weave in a new strand, as inconspicuously as possible. Do not have the strands all exactly the same length to begin with, because if you reach the end of all at the same time it makes it difficult to weave in new ones neatly.
Mat
Take such a long braid as described above, and holding one end flat, turn it round and round spirally but flat, and sew with thread to make a mat for the tea-pot. By bending up a little as you sew you can make a basket.
Picture-Frame (Cardboard, raffia, thread and needle)
Cut a circle of cardboard 5 × 5 inches in diameter. From the centre cut out a smaller circle three inches in diameter. This leaves a circular cardboard frame. Wind this round and round smoothly with the raffia. Paste another circle on the back to give a good finish, but in this second circle cut a slit up which to slide the photograph.
Woven Mat (Loom, raffia)
Thread a little loom with raffia warp as described on [page 90]. Then weave the woof (also of raffia) back and forth to make a mat or a case for hanging basket. To make the latter the right size have the warp threads as long as the can is around the circumference, and have the width about the same as the height of the can.
The raffia can be colored with Diamond dyes and wee rugs made for the doll-house on tiny looms.
Grace Hoops (See under [Plays and Games])