Practical Basketry

Materials

The materials used in making these baskets are rattan or reed, raffia, rush, straw, hemp.

Rattan is a palm which grows wild in India, Japan, China and East India Islands. The rattan seed is black and corresponds in size to a pea. It is a notable fact that, while growing, the rattan always faces the sun. The shoot of this seed grows four years; it is then cut close. The plant produces almost three hundred shoots which are cut annually. These slender shoots attain a length of from three to five hundred feet. They climb the highest trees and hang from them in graceful festoons. It is interesting to see how, like the selfish pumpkin vine, they crowd out any other plant that should happen to be in the way. By small fibres which spring from the joints, they fasten themselves to the trees, and they hold so tenaciously and have such grip or strength that it requires several men, sometimes as many as a half dozen, to separate and remove them.

The reed is manufactured from the rattan. It has been manufactured in America for about sixty years. There are a number of such manufacturing plants, among which the Wakefield Rattan Company and the New England Company have made splendid reed. Germany and Belgium give us the best reed, while the least desirable quality comes from China.

The outer surface of the rattan is glazed. It is cut in long narrow strips, and is familiar to everyone under the name "cane." It is used in caning chairs. From the pith or inside rattan, we get the reed known as oval, flat and round, the latter being most extensively used.

The round reed varies in sizes from No. 00 to No. 17; No. 00 being the finest, is used in making the centers of baskets, in finishing handles, and in making very small baskets and trays. Sizes 1 to 5 are used in making ordinary size baskets and trays, 5 and 6 for scrap baskets, 8 and 10 for handle foundations.

The reed comes only in the natural color, but may be dyed into many beautiful colors either before or after the article is made.

Oval or split reed comes in sizes 5 and 7. This reed makes artistic hanging baskets.

The flat 3?8 inch wide is often used in making foundations for sweet grass baskets, and it also makes durable scrap baskets.

Raffia is the outside covering of the Madagascar palm. It is a light, tough material imported in the natural or straw color, but may be dyed in many beautiful colors. It is sold in bundles or braids of from one to four pounds. Care should be exercised in using this material. It is advisable to keep it in canvas bags or hang it in braids in the class room, as careless handling may cause untidiness or tend to disorder in the class room.

Rush, flat or braided, is imported and sold in the natural and dull green colors. The flat rush is sold by the pound, the braided by bundles or bunches. The braided rush makes a strong scrap basket; it must be soaked before using to prevent cracking. The flat rush is used in making smaller baskets.

Straw is used as a weaver, and can be woven either wet or dry, but it is better to dip it in water a few minutes before using. Round and oval scrap baskets may be made by combining different colors of the straw with the natural color.

Hemp, which is imported from the Philippine Islands, may be used as a foundation for raffia and sweet grass baskets.

Tools

Very few tools are necessary in basketry, although, to the basket maker, who intends doing much work the following articles are essential: pruning shears, awl, plier, galvanized tub and bucket, measuring stick or rule, knife for splicing the reed. Rubber fingers may be used. For the dyer, rubber gloves and large earthen pots are necessary.

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Reed is a brittle material, therefore it must be soaked in water before using. The time required depends on the number of the reed used. No. 00 merely dipped in water can be used successfully. Nos. 1 and 2 can be used after soaking in water ten minutes; Nos. 4 and 5 after fifteen or twenty minutes. Either cold or hot water may be used, the hot water consuming less time to soak the reed than the cold.

No. 4 and No. 2 reeds are commonly used together in ordinary sized baskets. No. 4 for the spokes, which form the foundation upon and around which No. 2, as the weaver, is woven.

The weaving of a round mat or basket is begun in the center and woven out toward the end. It is absolutely necessary that beginners master the fundamental steps, for no basket can be well made that has a poor bottom. In order to avoid this, the mat is practised upon until the art of weaving a good center is accomplished.

The following are the commonest weaves used.

Simple Weaving is the commonest of all and is the continuation of under one spoke and over the next.

Diagram No. 1.-Simple Weaving

Double Weaving, the same as simple weaving only that two weavers are woven together as one.

Diagram No. 2.-Double Weaving

Pairing.-Two weavers are inserted back of two successive spokes and crossed between, then under weave brought forward each time and made the upper weave. This may be used on an even as well as odd number of spokes.

Diagram No. 3.-Pairing

Double Pairing.-The weave is the same as pairing but two weavers are woven together as one.

Diagram No. 4.-Double Pairing

Two and One Weave.-Simply a weaver woven in front of two spokes and back of one spoke. This makes a pretty effect in oval reed.

Diagram No. 5.-Two and One Weave

Three and Two Weave.-One weaver woven in front of three spokes and back of two. This weave is used with oval reed and rush, in making scrap baskets.

Diagram No. 6.-Three and Two Weave

Triple Twist or Three-Rod Coil, sometimes called the "Wale" Weave.-Three weavers start back of three consecutive spokes. Beginning with the first spoke to the left and weaving to the right bring the left-hand weaver out in front of the next two spokes, back of the next and out in front. The second and third weavers are treated in the same way, always bringing each weaver in front of 2 spokes and back of the next one. This weave is used mostly in beginning the sides of separate bottom baskets where the spokes are inserted, and in the ending of baskets. It is a strong foundation for borders and handles.

Diagram No. 7.-Triple Twist or Three-Rod Coil

Four-Rod Coil or Rope Twist.-Is woven in a similar manner to the three coil weave except that the weavers are brought in front of 3 spokes and back of one.

Diagram No. 8.-Four-Rod Coil

Five-Rod Coil.-The weavers are brought in front of 4 spokes and back of 1 spoke.

Diagram No. 9.-Five-Rod Coil

Upsetting.-Simply a strong weave used in turning up a basket. Three rows of a three or four coil weave are usually used in making an upsetting on a scrap basket.

Slewing.-Two or more weavers used as one in single weaving.

Diagram No. 10.-Slewing

The Sixteen-Spoke Center means sixteen spokes arranged in groups of fours in the following manner: first, four spokes are placed in a vertical position, the next four in a horizontal position over the first four, the remaining eight spokes arranged in diagonal positions, one diagonal four laid over the other diagonal four in an opposite direction. A weaver is placed under the left-hand horizontal group and simple weaving is woven over one group and under another until four rows are completed. The spokes are then separated into groups of twos by bringing the weavers over and under every two spokes instead of four. This may be finished either in simple weaving with one weaver, or by inserting another weaver, in pairing.

Diagram No. 11.-Sixteen-Spoke Center

In cutting the ends of spokes always cut obliquely to prevent the reed from splitting.

In splitting spokes, the incision must be made carefully in the center of the spoke. Do not make the incision larger than is necessary.

Diagram No. 12.-A Split Spoke

Half of the number of spokes needed should be split in center, and the other half inserted through the incision.

In beginning a new weaver join it to the other weaver by crossing both ends back of a spoke.

Diagram No. 13.-Joining Weavers

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MODEL 1.-FIG. 4

MAT WITH OPEN BORDER

Fig. 4

Material

6 spokes No. 4 reed, 19 inches.

1 spoke No. 4 reed, 10 inches.

2 weavers No. 2 reed.

1 strand raffia.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Make an incision in the center of each of 4 spokes as illustrated in Fig. 1. Through these 4 spokes insert the other group of 4 spokes and the short spoke as in Fig. 1. You are now ready for the first step. Place a wet strand of raffia back of the 4 horizontal spokes; pass it over the group of 4 vertical spokes, back of the 5 horizontal spokes, over the lower 4 vertical spokes and back of the first group of horizontal spokes. Separate the groups of fours into groups of twos by bringing the raffia over 2 spokes, under 2 spokes, treating the short spoke as a separate group. Fig. 2. When two rows have been finished, the third and last step is made by weaving the raffia under 1 spoke and over the next, thus separating each spoke. Fig. 3. After the spokes are well separated, take a piece of No. 2 reed, place it back of a spoke and begin weaving over 1 spoke, and back of the next one, until thirty-two rows of weaving are completed. This will make the mat about 53?4 inches in diameter. You are now ready for the border.

Open Border No. 1

Allow about 61?2 inches for this border. This border is made by placing each spoke back of the next spoke to the right, and pushing it down by the side of this spoke through the weaving.

Diagram No. 14.-Open Border No. 1

Open Border No. 2

Open border No. 2 is made by bringing one spoke back of the next two spokes to the right and pushing it well down through the weaving, by the side of the spoke.

Diagram No. 15.-Open Border No. 2

MODEL 2.-FIG. 5

MAT WITH CLOSED BORDER

Fig. 5

Material

8 spokes No. 4 reed, 19 inches.

1 spoke No. 4 reed, 10 inches.

1 ring No. 00 reed.

2 rings No. 2 blue reed.

4 rings No. 2 natural reed.

After the spokes are arranged for weaving, take a short strand of 00 reed, fasten and separate the spokes. Weave 13?4 inches with 00 reed, then with No. 2 natural reed, weave six rows. Follow this with six rows of blue, then change to natural, and weave eleven rows natural, then with the blue reed, weave nine rows, change to natural, and finish the weaving with six rows of natural color reed. Complete the mat with the following closed border:

Diagram No. 16.-Closed Border No. 1 (Part 1)

Diagram No. 17.-Closed Border No. 1 (Part 2)

Closed Border No. 1

Weaving to the right, carry one spoke back of the next spoke and out to the front; proceed in this way until every spoke is placed in this position. The last spoke is pushed back and under the first one. For the second row of this border, place the first spoke, which had been brought back of the second, in front of the third spoke and back of the fourth spoke. Continue in this manner until the row is finished. Be careful to draw all the spokes tight, leaving just space enough for the preceding spoke to pass through.

MODEL 3.-FIG. 6

BASKET FOR MOTHER'S BUTTONS

Fig. 6

Material

8 spokes No. 4 reed, 16 inches.

1 spoke No. 4 reed, 9 inches.

2 rings tan reed.

2 rings natural color reed.

1 strand of raffia.

The bottom of this basket is begun just like the mat. After the spokes are separated with the raffia, begin the weaving, and weave until a base three inches is woven, then weave two rows with a weaver of the tan reed. This completes the bottom of the basket. Wet the spokes well and with a plier press them hard and turn them up. With the same weaver continue the weaving until seven rows have been woven up the side. During the weaving hold the spokes firmly and straight. Change the weave now to the natural color and work twelve rows, then with another ring of tan reed complete the weaving of the basket with nine rows. Finish the basket with Open Border No. 2.

Bands of tan, combined with the natural color and woven over brown spokes, make a very pretty effect.

MODEL 4.-FIG. 7

BASKET FOR PENCILS

Fig. 7

The second basket for the beginner is the pencil basket, much like the first, with sides higher and with a closed border. This basket is woven all in the natural color and then painted in gold.

Material

6 spokes No. 4 reed, 15 inches.

1 spoke No. 4 reed, 8 inches.

4 No. 2 weavers.

1 strand of raffia.

In a similar manner, as illustrated in Fig. 4, make a base 23?4 inches. Turn the sides up sharply and weave 31?2 inches. Complete with Closed Border No. 1.

MODEL 5.-FIG. 8

BASKET FOR SPOOLS

Fig. 8

This basket is woven in the natural color and afterwards dipped in brown dye. It makes a useful holder for spools.

Material

8 spokes No. 3 reed, 14 inches.

1 spoke No. 3 reed, 8 inches.

Weavers No. 1 and No. 2 Reed.

With No. 1 reed, weave a base four inches. Press the spokes with the plier until soft. Turn them sharply upward and hold them straight. With No. 2 reed weave the sides 13?4 inches. With the spokes well soaked, press and hold them in towards the center of the basket. Continue the weaving, drawing the weaver tightly, until five rows are woven. Complete basket with the following border:

Closed Border No. 2

For the first row of this border, place each spoke back of the next one, weaving to the right, and bring it out to the front. For the second row, each weaver is brought in front of the next 2 spokes and back of the next spoke or-numbering the spokes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5:-No. 1 spoke is brought back of No. 2 spoke, in front of the third and fourth spokes, and back of the fifth spoke, where it rests. Continue in this manner until all the spokes are woven in position. This border makes a decidedly pretty effect.

Diagram No. 18.-Closed Border No. 2

MODEL 6.-FIG. 9

TOOTH-BRUSH HOLDER

Fig. 9

This little curved basket is woven with brown reed over natural color spokes. The border is of the natural color reed being a continuation of the spokes.

Material

8 spokes No. 3 reed, 15 inches.

1 spoke No. 3 reed, 8 inches.

Several rings No. 2 brown reed.

1 strand brown raffia.

Weave the center of this basket with brown raffia to carry out the same effect as the brown reed.

Weave 11?4 inches with raffia. With a No. 2 brown weaver continue the weaving until a base 21?2 inches is woven. After the sides are turned up, continue weaving up the sides, drawing the spokes gradually outward toward the weaver, until the basket measures 21?2 inches high. Continue the weaving, drawing the weaver tightly and pressing the spokes in toward the center, until 13?4 inches more are woven. The basket should now have a slightly rounded effect. The diameter of basket should now be about three inches. The basket is curved outward in the following manner. Work the spokes outward and press them down toward the side of basket; hold firmly and continue the weaving in an easy manner. When nine rows of weaving are finished, complete the basket with Closed Border No. 1.

MODEL 7.-FIG. 10

BARREL SHAPED FANCY BASKET

Fig. 10

This basket is woven over green spokes, with green bands about an inch from the top and bottom of basket. Green rings may be made for handle.

Material

8 spokes No. 4 green reed, 20 inches.

1 spoke No. 4 green reed, 11 inches.

Weavers No. 2 natural.

Weavers No. 2 green.

1 strand green raffia.

Weave a center, and separate the spokes with green raffia. With No. 2 natural reed weave a base 31?2 inches. Turn the sides up and drawing them outward weave ten rows. Change the reed to No. 2 green and holding the spokes in the same manner, weave a band of green 7?8 inch wide, then a band of the natural color 11?2 inches wide.

Change the reed now to green. Hold the spokes well in toward the center and draw the weaver tightly. Work a band of green one inch and finish the weaving with one inch of natural reed. Complete the basket with the following closed border:

Closed Border No. 3

As in the Closed Border No. 1 and No. 2, run each spoke back of the next spoke on the right and out to the front. The second row is woven by placing each spoke in front of the next three spokes to the right and back of the sixth. Weave each spoke in this way until the row is completed.

Diagram No. 19.-Closed Border No. 3

MODEL 8.-FIG. 11

NO. 1 JARDINIERE

Fig. 11

This flower pot covering basket is made of the natural reed. It may either be dipped in any shade of dye or stained. The one illustrated was dipped in dye when completed.

Material

8 spokes No. 4 reed, 18 inches.

1 spoke No. 4 reed, 10 inches.

Weavers No. 2 reed.

Weave a bottom 41?4 inches. The sides are made by holding the spokes outward until 41?2 inches are woven. This makes the diameter of the basket 43?4 inches. To obtain the outward slanting effect point the spokes straight out towards the weaver, and, after weaving four rows turn and hold the spokes slantingly upward. Finish this weave with six more rows. Complete the basket with the Closed Border No. 2.

MODEL 9.-FIG. 12

MATCH TRAY

Fig. 12

This little basket may either be used for holding matches or tooth picks. It is woven in No. 2 natural reed over a small drinking glass, with No. 00 as weaver. When finished, stain in old rose "Easy Dye" diluting the dye to get the tint desired.

Material

5 spokes No. 2 reed, 101?2 inches.

1 spoke No. 2 reed, 6 inches.

2 Weavers No. 00 reed.

Handle-2 strands No. 00 reed, 24 inches.

Weave a base 11?8 inches with No. 00 reed. Turn sharply upward and continue weaving until fifty-one rows of single weaving are woven. Be careful to keep the spokes straight and to weave closely. Complete the tray with Closed Border No. 1.

Make the ring handles one inch in diameter and attach to the basket under the border.

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