CHAPTER X

FRUIT BASKET TRAYS

MODEL 47.--FIG. 64

NO. 1 FRUIT BASKET TRAY

[Illustration: FIG. 64]

MATERIAL

8 spokes No. 5 reed, 8 inches.

31 spokes No. 5 reed, 16 inches.

1 spoke No. 8 reed. 32 inches.

Weavers No. 2 reed.

Weavers No. 4 reed.

Insert and fasten the spokes in position with the cross weave. Weave four

rows of No. 2 reed. Follow this with twelve rows of pairing and nine rows

of double weaving.

Insert the 31 spokes and weave with No. 4 reed, four rows of three-rod

coil. Pinch the spokes and set up three rows of triple twist. Weave eight

rows of double weaving, holding the spokes slantingly outward. Finish with

three rows of triple twist and the plaited border.

HANDLE

Insert the piece of No. 8 reed down through the border, through the

weaving to the lower triple twist. With No. 2 reed, coil eight rows

around the handle making ten twists.

MODEL 48.--FIG. 65

NO. 2 FRUIT BASKET TRAY

[Illustration: FIG. 65]

MATERIAL

16 spokes No. 2 tan reed, 46 inches.

30 spokes No. 2 tan reed, 16 inches.

Weavers No. 2 reed.

Weavers No. 3 reed.

Tan colored dish.

Handle--2 spokes No. 5 reed, 25 inches.

Over a 16 spoke center weave a base 3-1/2 inches, separating the spokes

into groups of twos. Insert the 30 spokes. This will make groups of fours.

Turn up with two rows of No. 3 reed in triple twist. While weaving, curve

the spokes to correspond to the curve of dish, draw the weavers tightly to

hold the dish securely.

Follow the upset with eleven rows simple weaving. Consider every group of

fours as one spoke. With two rows of triple twist in No. 3 reed, separate

the groups of fours into groups of twos. Weave twenty-eight rows in simple

weaving.

For the sides, take one spoke of each group, pass it back of next two

groups, bring it down the outside of basket and through the triple twist

at base. The spokes will run singly on the outside of the basket, but will

pass through the triple twist at the base in groups of twos. After all the

groups have been passed through the triple twist the border is made as

follows:

First row, each group is passed back of the next two groups to the right.

Second row, each group is passed in front of the next two groups, back of

the third group where the ends are cut off closely.

BORDER FOR TOP OF BASKET

First row, each single spoke is brought back of next two spokes.

Second row, each group is passed in front of next two groups and back of

third group where the ends are cut closely.

HANDLE

Insert the ends of handle through the weaving about 1-3/4 inches apart.

Coil six rows around the handle and fasten ends securely.

MODEL 49.--FIG. 66

NO. 3 FRUIT BASKET TRAY

[Illustration: FIG. 66]

MATERIAL

8 spokes No. 5 reed, 36 inches.

9 spokes No. 5 reed, 15 inches.

Weavers No. 2 reed.

Weavers No. 3 reed.

Make a four inch base in pairing. Turn sharply upward and slant inward

with four rows of No. 3 reed in three-rod twist. Weave eight rows in No. 2

reed, over two, under one. Change the reed to No. 00. Weave six rows, over

two spokes, under one, with three stands of No. 00 reed in slewing. The

weaver must constantly keep drawing the reed tight and holding the spokes

well in towards the center. With a strand of No. 00 reed, make eighteen

rows in the plain weave. The diameter should be now 1-1/4 inches. Hold the

spokes slightly outward and with three weavers in slewing, make seven

rows, weaving in front of 2 spokes, back of 1 spoke. The diameter should

now be almost two inches.

Insert the 9 spokes, placing a single spoke by the side of every other

spoke. Soak all the spokes well, pinch with pliers and bend the spokes

straight outward. Hold them in this position until three rows of pairing,

three rows of triple twist No. 2 reed and five rows of single weaving are

completed.

Bend the spokes in a curved effect, hold them slightly outward and upward.

In this position weave ten rows double weaving. Holding the spokes now in

a pronounced upward curve, weave five rows of triple twist in No. 4 reed.

The following border completes the tray: Turn down three spokes--No. 1

spoke back of No. 2, No. 2 spoke back of No. 3, No. 3 spoke back of No. 4.

Now place No. 1 spoke in front of the third and fourth spokes and back of

the fifth spoke; likewise place No. 2 spoke in front of the fourth and

fifth spokes and back of the sixth spoke. Continue this around the basket

until all the spokes are woven in the border.

MODEL 50.

DESK TRAY

MATERIAL

Board 12 inches by 10 inches.

45 spokes No. 5 reed, 19 inches.

Weavers No. 2 reed.

Weavers No. 4 reed.

A desk tray is a very useful article and is made as follows:

Bore 45 holes through the board about 3/8 inch in from the edge of the

board. Insert the 45 spokes through these holes allowing 3-1/2 inches for

the bottom. Make a foundation stand by weaving these end spokes in front

of 2 spokes and back of the third spoke.

The sides are woven with two rows of three rod coil, then in double

weaving until the tray is 2-1/2 inches high. Follow this with two rows of

triple twist and the plaited border.

MODEL 51.--FIG. 67

SMALL SERVING TRAY

[Illustration: FIG. 67]

MATERIAL

Board 9-1/2 inches by 6-1/4 inches.

Glass 8-3/4 inches by 5-3/4 inches.

Cretonne 8-3/4 inches by 5-3/4 inches.

60 spokes No. 2 reed, 15 inches.

Weavers No. 2 reed.

Bore 60 holes through the board large enough for No. 2 reed to slip

through easily. The holes should be one-half inch apart--19 holes on each

of the lengthwise sides and 12 on each end.

Pass the spokes through each hole. Allow 1-1/2 inches for the bottom of

tray. For the base border weave one row of pairing and the following

border: Each spoke is passed in front of the first spoke to right and

back of the second spoke. When all the spokes are woven in this way, place

the tray on a flat surface and make sure the base border is perfectly even

and level.

The cretonne and glass should be identical in size. Lay the cretonne on

the board flat and even, and place the glass over it. The glass must fit

snugly and tightly to make a perfect tray. Keep the spokes moist to allow

easy weaving. The weavers must be soaked until very pliable. Weave 1/2

inch of pairing with No. 2 reed or nine rows. Follow this with one row of

triple twist in No. 3 reed. The plaited border completes the tray.

A very pretty effect may be obtained by having a pale pink flowered

cretonne and natural color reed. The cretonne and color of reed should

always harmonize.

MODEL 52.

OBLONG SERVING TRAY

MATERIAL

Board 17 inches by 12 inches.

Cretonne 16-1/4 inches by 11-1/2 inches.

Glass 16-1/4 inches by 11-1/2 inches.

99 spokes No. 5 brown reed, 19 inches.

Weavers No. 4 reed.

Brown stain.

Bore 99 holes through board equal distance apart. Stain the board brown.

Insert the spokes and allow 3-1/2 inches for the bottom stand. Make a

border for this stand in the following manner:

First row, each spoke is brought back of next spoke to right.

Second row, each spoke is passed in front of the next spoke and in back of

the next where the end is cut off.

The sides are now woven. A 4-rod coil No. 4 reed holds the glass firmly in

place. Follow this with seven rows double weaving No. 2 brown reed and one

row No. 4 reed in 4-rod coil. Complete the tray with the plaited border.

After the tray is finished, singe it to get rid of all the loose bits of

reed--then polish the board with two or three coats of wax. The cretonne,

reed and stain should harmonize in color. A soft brush produces best

results in polishing the basket.

MODEL 53.

OVAL SERVING TRAY

MATERIAL

Board 20 inches by 14 inches.

Glass 19 inches by 13 inches.

Cretonne 19 inches by 13 inches.

52 spokes No. 5 brown reed, 20 inches.

Weavers No. 4 reed.

The holes should be made about one inch apart. Insert the 52 spokes and

make foundation stand as described under preceding model. Be careful that

the board is perfectly dry before placing the cretonne upon it. Keep the

spokes moist by using a wet sponge; be careful not to allow any water to

get under the glass while weaving. Best results are obtained by staining

the board first and then weaving a dyed reed; good results, however, may

be obtained by making the tray in natural reed first and then staining the

board and reed. Great care must be exercised in painting the tray after it

is made.

The sides of the oval tray are woven two inches high. First weave one row

of 4-rod coil then seven rows of double weaving in pairing. One row of

4-rod coil and the plaited border completes the tray. Polish as described

under preceding model.

MODEL 54.

ROUND SERVING TRAY

MATERIAL

Diameter of board 10 inches.

Diameter of glass 9-1/4 inches.

Diameter of cretonne 9-1/4 inches.

39 spokes No. 4 reed, 20 inches.

Weavers No. 4 reed.

Prepare the board by making 39 holes 5/8 of an inch from edge of board,

3/4 inch spacing between each hole. Insert the 39 spokes. Weave an under

base stand in the following manner: First row, each spoke is brought back

of next spoke to right and out in front. Second row, each spoke is passed

in front of next spoke to right and in back of second spoke where it is

cut off.

This base weaving should be uniform throughout so that the tray base may

be perfectly even. Stand the tray on a flat desk and see that each spoke

touches the desk. For the side of the tray weave one row of 4-rod wale and

finish the ends in the usual way.

Insert one No. 4 weaver and weave nine rows around the tray. Introduce

four weavers and work one row of 4-rod coil. Finish the tray with the

plaited border.

Practical Basketry · 第 10 / 13 章