The basket maker

by Luther Weston Turner

Figure 5 shows a decorative feature made possible by the use of a single weaver and an even number of stakes. At A may be seen the method of changing from one course to another. Either two, three, or four rows may be woven before changing courses, and as many courses may be woven as the design of the basket may require. This of course is left to the judgment of the pupil or teacher.

Figure 6 shows the double or pairing weave (i. e. weaving with two weavers) and Figure 7 suggests the possibilities in decoration, when one weaver is colored and an even number of stakes are used.

Figure 8 shows the design when the pairing weave is used with an odd number of spokes and also the method of joining weaves in either double, triple or quadruple weaving. The end of the new weaver is inserted behind and beside the end of the one already woven in, and the weaving continues as if the weavers were continuous. The end of the old weaver can then be cut off flush with the outside of the basket, and the end of the new one flush with the inside.

In weaving with two, three, or four weavers the left hand one of the group is always known as the rear weaver and the right hand one as the forward weaver, and weaving is always done from left to right except in cases of special design. Such cases will be spoken of in a later chapter.

Figure 9 shows the starting of the triple weave. Three weavers are put behind three consecutive stakes and project toward the right. The rear one goes over the other two and in front of two stakes, behind one stake, and out between the next pair of stakes to the right of the forward weaver. The one that was the middle weaver now becomes the rear one, and it in turn is treated as the other rear one was. This process is continued as long as triple weaving is needed. Always be sure to take the rear weaver and have it come out between the pair of stakes to the right of the forward weaver.

Decorative features of triple weaving follow: Figure 10 shows the result when one colored weaver and two natural ones are used and the number of weavers (3) is equally divisible into the number of stakes. Each color forms in a vertical stripe. Using two colored and one natural weaver gives the same result but with a different proportion of color.

Figure 11 shows the result when the number of stakes is divisible by the number of weavers with a remainder of one. This gives the variegated effect outside and the spiral effect inside.

Figure 12 shows the result when the number of stakes is divisible by the number of weavers with a remainder of two. This gives the variegated effect inside and the spiral effect outside.