In this pattern you braid with eight strands, or with two groups of fours. Commence at B, lift No. 4 in left hand and lay down between Nos. 3 and 4 at C, and take No. 4 at C in right hand; then lift No. 3 at B over between Nos. 2 and 3 at C, and take No. 3 at C in right hand; then lift No. 2 at B over between Nos. 1 and 2 at C, and take No. 2 at C in right hand; then lift No. 1 at B over next to No. 1 at C, and take No. 1 at C in right hand, and then lift those in right hand over to B, and lay them all down. Braid round to the right till you get to A, then take the next eight strands, and braid round table to the left; lift No. 1 at C over between Nos. 1 and 2 at B, and take No. 1 at B in left hand; then lift No. 2 at C over between Nos. 2 and 3 at B, and take No. 2 at B in left hand; then lift No. 3 at C over between Nos. 3 and 4 at B, and take No. 3 at B in left hand; then lift No. 4 at C over next to No. 4 at B, and take No. 4 at B in left hand, and then lift those in left hand over to C and lay them all down, and so on round table, taking the next eight strands, till you get to A. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence as at first.
See explanation on page [100].
Take any number of strands that can be divided by four,—eighty being the usual number for this braid—four hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, with the inside row of figures, lift No. 3 over No. 2; then No. 3 over No. 4; then No. 1 over No. 2; then No. 3 over No. 2. Then go to B and change the same way, and so round the table to A. Then go to C, and commence with the outside row of figures, and change the same as you did at A, and so on round the table, when you will be through the braid, ready to commence at A, 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 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.