Take sixteen strands, thirty hairs in a strand, and place on the table like pattern. Commence at A, take the Nos. 1 and 2 and lay them over Nos. 3 right and left; then lay the Nos. 1 at A over Nos. 1 at C and D, and bring back the Nos. 1 from C and D and lay outside of Nos. 3 at A; then lay the Nos. 2 at A over Nos. 1; then go to B and repeat the same as at A, only change the Nos. 1 at B with the Nos. 2 at C, instead of the Nos. 1 at C; then lift the Nos. 1 at A over and lay between Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then go to C and lift Nos. 1 and 2 over between Nos. 1 and 2 at D, and bring back the Nos. 1 and 2 from D to C. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence at A, as at first. Braid this over a small wire, and place double weight on the strands at C and D, and Nos. 1 at A and B.
Take any number of strands that can be divided by four,—forty being the usual number for this braid—twelve hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, with the inside row of figures, and lift No. 3 over No. 2; then No. 1 over No. 2; then No. 4 over Nos. 3 and 2; then go to B and change the same way, and so on round the table to A. Then go to C, commence with the outside row of figures, and braid round to the left; lift No. 2 over No. 3; then No. 3 over No. 4; then No. 2 over No. 1; then No. 2 over No. 3, and so on round the table to A; then you will be through the braid, ready to commence as at first.
Braid this over a round stick, the size you want the braid for use, varying the number of strands according to the size of the stick; then slip the braid from the stick on to the mold you wish to use, tying the braid so it will fit the mold exactly, and then boil in water five minutes, and take it out and put it in an oven, as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry. Then it is ready for use.
