HALF OPEN 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. 1 over between Nos. 2 and 3 at B; then lift No. 1 at B over between Nos. 2 and 3 of the next four strands, and so on round table to the left to A; then go to C, take the outside row of figures, lift No. 2 over No. 3, No. 2 over No. 1, Nos. 2 and 3 over No. 4; then No. 3 over No. 4, and No. 2 over No. 1, and so on round the table to the right, till the braid is finished.

[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.

OVERSHOT BRAID.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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, braid to the right, lift No. 2 over Nos. 3 and 4, No. 1 over No. 2, and No. 3 over No. 2, and so on round to A; then go to C and repeat the same changes, with the outside row of figures, round to A; then commence at A with the inside row of figures, and braid to the left; lift No. 3 over Nos. 1 and 2, No. 4 over No. 3, and No. 2 over No. 3, and so on round to A; then go to C, and repeat the same changes, with the outside row of figures, round to A. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence 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.

DIAMOND TIGHT BRAID.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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, and have Nos. 1 and 2 of white hair, and Nos. 3 and 4 of black hair; lift Nos. 1 and 2 over Nos. 3 and 4, and so on round table to the left, to A; then go to C, and braid round table 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 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.

SPIRAL STRIPED BRAID.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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, and have alternately four strands of white hair and four of black; braid round table to the left, lift Nos. 1 and 2 over Nos. 3 and 4, and so on round table to A; then go to C, braid round table to the right, lift Nos. 3 and 4 over Nos. 1 and 2, and so on round to A. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence 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.

EMPRESS 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, No. 1 over No. 2, No. 3 over No. 4, and No. 3 over No. 2; braid round table to the left till you get to A, then go to C, take the outside row of figures, and braid round to the right; lift Nos. 3 and 4 over Nos. 1 and 2, and so on round to A, and repeat with the inside row of figures, and then repeat again with the outside row; then you are through the braid, ready to commence at A, as at first. Commence at C every other time, for you only braid the first change of figures once, and the last change three times.

[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.

OPEN CHECK BRAID.

TAKE any number of strands that can be divided by four,--eighty being the usual number--four hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Have one-half the strands white and one-half black, and place on table alternately, four white and four black. Commence at A, with the inside 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. 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 change the same as you did at A, and so on round the table; then 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.

SCOTCH PLAID BRAID.

TAKE any number of strands that can be divided by four,--eighty being the usual number--four hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Have one-third the strands white hair, one-third black, and one-third red, and place on table alternately, four white, four black, and four red. Commence at A, with the inside 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. 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 change the same as you did at A, and so on round the table; then 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.

HALF OPEN 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; braid half way round the table, and then braid the last half by lifting 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 and repeat the same. 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.

OPEN STRIPED BRAID.