Place one of the rings on a table or other flat surface and tie each of the twelve pieces of raffia on the ring, leaving an end about an inch long. Begin and tie simple knots three inches from the ring and one inch apart, knotting the strands two and two until nine or ten rows have been completed. Finish the hammock by fastening the ends three inches from the last row of knots, to the other ring. The hammock is ready for Sally Ann to have a nap.
The next thing to do is to make a shopping bag, to carry all the small bundles when you go down town to buy dolls' clothes.
This little bag is made with the same kind of knotting, only the number of strands and the arrangement of them differ ([Figure 213]).
Twenty-two strands of raffia and a pair of scissors are necessary. Arrange twenty of the strands in pairs, and tie each pair in the centre. Place them on a table with the knots side by side, leaving a little less than ten inches on each side of the knots. Begin on one side of the centre knots, and tie one strand from one knot to the next strand from the next knot. They must be an inch from the first knots. Tie the same two strands an inch from the centre on the opposite side. In the same way tie the outside strands of this group to form the corners. Tie them one inch from the first centre knot. Make ten rows of knots an inch apart. When these have been completed, the bag is ready for the handles.
Separate the strands on one side of the bag from those on the other. Divide the group on one side in half. Fasten each group one and a half inches beyond the last row of knots. Braid the strands about six inches. Do the same with each group, making four braids in all. Hold the two braids from one end of the bag together so that the loose ends of one braid overlap the other. Beginning at the middle point make a binding one and a half inches to the right and a similar one to the left. Cover the binding with "Solomon's Knots." Keep the lines of knotting straight. Finish the opposite handle in the same way.
Fig. 213. A shopping bag
Some day when you have shopping to do for your mother, take your bag along and see how handy it will be.
In the beginning of the chapter I spoke of a belt to wear with a pretty frock. A belt made of a six strand braid proves to be very serviceable to some little girls. You may use plain white raffia or a plain colour but oftentimes two colours add to the attractiveness of the belt.