FIG. 53. WOVEN TOP STOOLS.
Tack a strand underneath a long rail at a corner, then weave over three strands and under three. Repeat in the same manner three times, then weave over the series which were woven under before and repeat alternately until the top is entirely woven. In weaving the top of this stool one strand is woven in the last series of three, and to balance it a single strand is run in on the opposite side. The ends of this strand are not fastened in any particular way; the weaving holds them in place. The spaces next to each short rail may be filled in a like manner if desired. Strands crossing underneath the frame must be woven in some manner to produce a seat of maximum strength. The character of the weave here is not pertinent; in this instance it might take the same form as the top.
FIG. 54. WEAVING IN SERIES OF THREE.
[Fig. 55] shows a stool top woven of inner hickory bark strips employing what is termed a diagonal weave. Begin the wrapping on either the short or long rails. In this instance we will assume that the short rails have been wrapped; then the weaving will begin over the long rails, and as indicated, at the upper left hand corner. The strands have been numbered to make the description clearer. The “diagonal” is determined at the edges of the upper rail. The method of weaving may be expressed in the following manner:
Strand 1—Over 1, under 2, over 2, under 2, and so on.
Strand 2—Over 2, under 2, over 2, under 2, and so on.
Strand 3—Under 1, over 2, under 2, over 2, and so on.