chapter I
, anyone can find the ratio between stakes and weavers used in making the baskets shown in Figure 4. All are made with the triple weave and colored and natural weavers; f and j are about 1¾ inches in diameter at the bottom, g about 4 inches, and h and i about 3½ inches.
The decorative initial at the beginning of this chapter shows the adaptation of decorative weavers in making a small demijohn. Its foundation is a quart Vichy bottle. The weavers used can be easily seen, also the proportionate spacing of bands. The handles are twisted just as on a basket. Stakes and handle foundations are of No. 4 and the weavers of No. 2.
Figure 6 shows a small jug covered with weaving part way up. This was selected for its outline and covered, because it had a large “trade mark” glazed upon its surface. The baskets shown in Figure 6 will be described later.
I purposely omit detailed dimensions. They should be suggested by the one making the basket. What would seem correct to me might offend another, and I do not care to be misunderstood as wishing to force my own taste in matters of proportion upon any one else.
Be yourself fully and completely, and let your work exemplify the fact that you are doing your own thinking and simply using the information you acquire as suggestive of greater possibilities.
V. CIRCULAR BASKETS
This chapter deals with the construction of the basket usually called a workbasket, but it may be taken as typical of all circular baskets without handles. Figure I, A and B, shows a view looking into the basket. Notice that a portion of the weaving about the center of the bottom is done with the pairing weave, until the spokes are separated sufficiently to allow triple weaving. The bottom is then completed with the triple weaving making it much finer in appearance. B shows the effect of using one colored weaver and two natural ones.
[Illustration]
When the bottom is woven, cut four times as many stakes as spokes, one-half colored and one-half natural. These stakes should be about six inches longer than twice the finished height of the basket. Insert one colored and one natural, as a pair, each side of each spoke in the bottom, as shown in Figure II, A, being careful to keep the colored ones either to the right or left of the natural ones. After turning up these stakes weave three rows of triple weaving, and finish this weaving by pulling the weavers through, as shown in Figure II, B. These three weavers which form the lower band of weaving may be of natural or colored weavers. This of course depends entirely upon the ideas one has concerning the appearance of the finished basket.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
Allow the stakes to flare a little more than is desired in the finished basket, as the turning over of the stakes draws the top in slightly. If an open space is wanted between the bands of triple weaving, weave one or two rows of flat weavers before weaving the second row of triple weavers, as shown in Figure III, A. This may be cut out after the basket is completed if one desires to insert a ribbon. Figure III, B, shows a basket just before the stakes are turned and with the space between the two rows of triple weaving filled up with single weaving. Figure IV, A and B, shows the method of turning over the stakes. The ends are inserted through the outer loops of the triple weave three and one-half spaces to the right or left of where the stake itself comes through the upper row of triple weaving. By turning to the right or left the colored weaver may be brought outside, regardless of how it may be inserted in the bottom. When the colored bands are used it is well to have the outer stake of the colored, as at B. The tucking in of the stakes is now continued until all completed when the basket is turned bottom side up and the loops all made to touch a flat surface. Great care must be taken in doing this, as the finished appearance of the basket may be greatly marred by lack of attention to this particular point.
[Illustration]
At this point decide whether the bottom rows of weaving are to be colored or natural; if colored, cut away the natural weavers at the bottom of the basket, as shown at Figure V, A. Next insert three weavers and weave one row of triple weaving in order that the remaining stakes may be brought to an upright position, as shown at Figure V, B. The bottom of the basket is now ready to close in. Take one upright stake, pass it in front of two, and to the inside and let it lay along the inside edge of the bottom; take each successive stake and do the same thing, as shown at Figure V, B. Figure VI, A, shows the appearance of the ends of these stakes as they lay along the inside edge of the bottom. This view also shows the space which may be used for the insertion of ribbon, after cutting out the filling of flat weavers. Figure VI, B, shows the appearance of the basket when completed with the single weaving as a filler between the two rows of triple weaving.
[Illustration]
The basket illustrated in Figure VI,