Take any number of strands that can be divided by four,—forty being the usual number for this braid—fifteen hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, with the inside row of figures, lift No. 2 in right hand, and put your left hand under the right hand, and take Nos. 3 and 4 and bring them back, and cross them over No. 1, and lay them all down; 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. 3 in left hand, and put your right hand under the left hand and take Nos. 1 and 2, bring them back, cross them over No. 4, and lay them all down, 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.
Take any number of strands that can be divided by four—sixty being the usual number for this braid—fifteen hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, with the inside row of figures, and braid round table to the right; lift No. 1 over No. 2, and No. 4 over Nos. 3 and 2; then repeat with the same strands, the No. 1 over No. 2, and No. 4 over Nos. 3 and 2. Then go to B and braid the same, and so on round table to A. Then go to C, commence with the outside row of figures, and braid round table to the left; lift No. 1 over No. 2, and No. 4 over Nos. 3 and 2; then repeat with the same strands, the same as you did at A and B, and so on round table to A. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence as at first. After it is braided turn the braid inside out.
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, and push it tight together, tying it 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.