Figure 13 shows the starting of the quadruple weave. With the decorative features already shown in other weaves, each student can find out for himself the possibilities of this weave by varying the ratio of the stakes to the weavers and by using either one, two, or three colored weavers.
In the next chapter I will give a detailed description of the construction of several mats which embody some of the ideas here presented, and shown in the group picture, Fig. 14.
II. WEAVING FOUNDATIONS
The one great aim of manual training is to combine judgment, a purely mental function, and execution, a purely physical one. There seems to be no work so efficient in combining the two from the beginning as basketry. The material varies so in texture that care and judgment are required in its manipulation, and so few tools are used that the hand must do all or a greater part of the work.
In all teaching the “character of work” should be emphasized rather than the intrinsic value of that which is produced by work. The aim should be to have work complete in all its parts, relatively perfect[[2]] as to beauty of design and workmanship, and finished, in so far as the completed work coming from the pupil can show his intention and evince careful and diligent work.
[2]. I say “relatively perfect” feeling that while there is nothing absolutely perfect possible to the hand of man, the term may be used relatively for whatever makes the nearest approach to perfection.
In manual training work the procedure should be from the simple to the complex. The teacher should never hurry the different stages of the work faster than the young mind can go. The pupil must comprehend each step. Let the motto be “Not How much, but How well.”
In order to make use of the features of weaving spoken of in the first chapter it will be necessary to have a simple problem on which to work. Mats of various sizes are useful, may be made beautiful, and as they embody all the constructive features found in the bottom of a basket, may well be taken as the first problem.