the 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, spokes 3⁄4 inch apart.
Insert 4 spokes which should be one inch longer than the spokes of the basket. Place each
spoke 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 group
is 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.
MODEL 15.—FIG. 18
GREEN AND WHITE BASKET
