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 No. 1 over No. 2; then No. 3 over No. 4. Then go to B and change the same way, and so on 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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.

BASKET TIGHT BRAID.

TAKE thirty-two strands, or any number that can be divided by four, fifteen hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, with the inside row of figures, and braid round the table to the left; lift No. 3 over No. 2, No. 1 over No. 2, and No. 3 over No. 4; then commence at C, with the outside row of figures, and braid round the table to the left; lift Nos. 1 and 2 over Nos. 3 and 4; then commence at A, as before, and braid round the table to the right; put No. 3 under No. 2, and lift No. 2 over No. 1, and No. 3 over No. 4; then commence at C, as before, and braid round the table to the right, and put Nos. 1 and 2 under Nos. 3 and 4. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence at A, as at first.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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.

TIGHT BRAID.

TAKE any number of strands that can be divided by four,--forty being the usual number--twelve hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern.

Commence at A, with the inside row of figures, and lift Nos. 1 and 2 over Nos. 3 and 4; then go to B and change the same way, and so on round table to A. Then go to C, commence with the outside row of figures, and braid round to the left; lift Nos. 3 and 4 over Nos. 1 and 2, and so on round the table to A. Then you will be through the braid, ready to commence as at first.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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.

ACORN TIGHT BRAID.

TAKE any number of strands that can be divided by four,--sixty being the usual number--fifteen hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, with the inside row of figures, lift No. 2 over No. 3, No. 4 over No. 3, No. 1 over No. 2, and No. 3 over No. 2, and so on round table to the right till you get to A; then commence at C, braid round to the right, lift Nos. 3 and 4 over Nos. 1 and 2, and so on round table to A. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence at A, as at first.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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.

HALF TIGHT BRAID.

TAKE any number of strands that can be divided by four,--sixty being the usual number--fifteen 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, and Nos. 1 and 3 over Nos. 2 and 4, and so on round table to A; then commence at C with the outside row of figures, lift No. 2 over No.

3, No. 2 over No. 1, No. 2 over No. 3, Nos. 2 and 3 over No. 4, and No.

2 over No. 1, and so on round table to A. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence at A, as at first.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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.

FANCY TIGHT BRAID.

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.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

See explanation on page 100.

PLAIN TIGHT BRAID.

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.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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.

ACORN BRAID.

TAKE any number of strands that can be divided by four,--sixty being the usual number--fifteen 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, No. 3 over No. 4, No. 1 over No. 2, and No. 3 over No. 2, and so on round table to A; then go to C, take the outside row of figures, and make the same changes round to A, and repeat alternately at A and C, until the braid is long enough to cover the bottom of the acorn, and then commence at A with the inside row of figures; lift No. 3 over No.

2, No. 3 over No. 4, No. 1 over No. 2, No. 3 over No. 2, No. 1 over No.

2, and No. 3 over No. 4, and so on round to A; then go to C, take the outside row of figures, and make the same changes round to A; then repeat until the braid is long enough to make the top or bur of the acorn. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence as at first.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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.