Part 4 (1/2)

Step 9. Folding b under d upward.

Step 10. Shows addition of second straw ef woven to the right, where the same process of turning is gone through as ill.u.s.trated in steps 6 to 9 inclusive. If weaving is to the left, steps 1 to 5 inclusive are repeated.

Step 11. Shows continued additions and weaving both to the right and left.

Step 12. Shows both edges of panel woven, the inside turnings being the same as those of the outer edge.

Circular Mats.

The circular mat is woven like the crown of a hat, with either the radiating center or a square center radiating at the four corners. In either case, the weaver must be careful to add the proper number of straws so that the mat will be flat, and not cupped or fluted. The cupping is caused by not adding a sufficient number and the fluting by adding too many.

In tightening the weaving, do not pull the added straws (Plate XIX, step 6, straw x-x) or holes will be made at the elbow. Instead, pull the longer straws that run through the center, thus making the entire weaving tight.

Radiating Center.

Step 1. Begin by laying down, in pairs, ab and cd perpendicular to the body. Put kl under ab and over cd. Put ij over ab and under cd.

Step 2. Now put ef under cd and ij, and over ab and kl; then put gh over cd and ij, and under kl and ab. See that the two ends of all the straws are equidistant from the center crossing.

In step 3 the straws are changed from pairs to singles as follows: Bring a over i; e over d; i over h; d over l; h over a; and l over e.

Step 4. The most convenient way to perform the next process is to take all the bottom straws in the left hand and allow the top straws to float over the closed fist. Then the weaving is done with the right hand. However, for beginners the weaving may also be done on the table.

In weaving, place c under b, over a and under k; d over b and under a; g under f, over e and under b; h over f and under e; k under j, over i and under f; l over j and under i; b under c, over d and under a; a over c and under d; f under g, over h and under c; e over g and under h; j under k, over l and under g; i over k and under l; the round is then finished.

Step 5. This ill.u.s.trates the manner of adding straws. Straw x is placed under c, over h, under g and then bent back. The bend should be in the middle of the straw.

Step 6. In this the right end of the added straw x is brought down over j and under i.

Step 7 shows how to continue the additions by weaving one straw and then adding one.

Step 8 shows the mat after the first round of additions has been completed. The weaving is now easy. Weave entirely around again without any additions, turning five straws each time. Then go around again weaving two and adding one, in the same manner as before, turning seven straws each time. As the diameter of the mat increases, the less often is it necessary to add. But be sure to add enough to keep the weaving close and the mat perfectly flat.

Step 9 shows how to close the edge of the mat by turning back the straws on each other. It also gives a very pretty ”woven in” design for a border, which can easily be followed from the plate.

Square Center.

Steps for commencing a circular mat with a square beginning are ill.u.s.trated in Plate XXI. The additions at the corner are made in the same manner as explained in the radiating center, except that each is for a fourth of a circle instead of a complete circle.

Decorations for Round Mats.