[Illustration]
A melon shaped basket seems to me to be the most fascinating of all in
its method of construction. Figure I shows the material necessary with
the exception of the weavers. Figure II shows the method of determining
the shape of the slices or ribs on which the weaving is done.[6] The
material with which the two circular ribs are made is stout ash splint.
Take two straight pieces the length required for the circumference of
the circle allowing about three-fourths of an inch for lap. These may be
fastened together to form the two circular rings either by a small bent
iron fastener or with fine string. These rings are then placed in the
position shown in Figure III, No. 1, perpendicular to each other. The
weaver is then placed behind the vertical ring on top of the horizontal
ring with its ends projecting toward the right in the direction of A-B.
The weaver is then brought over from A to D in front of the vertical
ring.
Footnote 6:
NOTE.—Let AA represent the orthographic projection of the two rings.
From the point x, with a radius equal to xy, draw the quarter circle.
Divide this quarter circle into three equal parts from 1 to y, and
connect the points of division with lines to point x. Lay off lines
parallel to these one-eighth inch apart to represent the space to be
allowed for the weavers. This will show the projection of one side of
the basket with the ribs in position. Draw a quarter circle on the
right hand side. From the center line, at point 2, lay off distances
on this quadrant about an inch apart as shown at 2-a-b-c-d. Project
these to the left on to the line xy, and with x as a center, continue
these projection lines with arcs crossing the center rib, as shown.
Draw chords 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Take a piece of stiff paper or of the
material to be used as ribs and bend around from 1 to 3 to get the
true length which will be the distance 1 2 3 as shown above at B. Draw
the two center lines at right angles, crossing at 4. Lay off distances
4 5, 5 6, 6 7, 7 8 on either side of 4 corresponding with the
distances 2a, ab, be, and cd. On these, by means of arcs, lay off
distances equal to the lengths of the corresponding chords 4, 5, 6, 7,
and 8 in the view AA. A curve tangent to these arcs shows one contour
of a rib.
If many baskets of this size are wanted it will be found convenient to
make a pattern for each size and mark it properly. If the basket
wanted is more than six inches in diameter more ribs will be needed,
and the small lay-out C will give the proper suggestion.
[Illustration]
Then behind the horizontal ring and up to B, in which position it is
shown at No. 1. From thence it goes diagonally across the vertical ring
from B to C and upward behind the horizontal, from C to A and assumes
the position shown at No. 2. It now goes across from A to D as before,
and behind the vertical ring from D to C, below the horizontal; which
position is shown at No. 3. From there it goes across the vertical ring
from C to B, then behind the vertical from B to A. This method of
winding is kept up, as shown at 4, 5, and 6, until a little pocket is
formed, as shown at E and F. This process takes place on both ends of
the rings. The center ribs on either side are now put into this pocket
and the single weaving is commenced, as shown at Figure IV.
Weave three or four rows on one end, then three or four on the other
end. This weaving, first on one end and then on the other, must be kept
up during the whole construction of the basket.
[Illustration]
In the construction of these baskets many will place all the ribs in the
pocket at once, but this method of construction is too difficult for an
amateur to attempt.
[Illustration]
After these two middle ribs have been placed in position and three rows
of weaving completed, the other four ribs should be tucked into the
pocket on one end and the single weaving continued until four or five
rows are woven, as shown in Figure V.
This process has been found to be much easier than to place the ribs in
both pockets, because of the fact that in weaving on one end the other
ends of the ribs are continually flying out.
After four or five rows are woven the other ends of the ribs may be
placed in the opposite pocket and the weaving continued as on the
opposite end. Great care must be taken in the shaping of these ribs to
see that there is a proper distance between them so that the weaver may
not be cramped.
The final shape of the basket depends almost entirely upon the nicety
with which these ribs are constructed.
[Illustration]
If one wishes to construct the basket so that it will be more than a
half-sphere in depth, it can be easily done by making a plan of rings
and ribs of the shape wanted and laying out these rings and ribs from
that. It may be necessary in teaching younger pupils the construction of
these baskets for the teacher to do the drawing and laying out of the
size and shape of these ribs, but this process should be thoroughly
explained.
If difficulty is found in getting heavy ash splint for the rings and
ribs, they may be easily constructed from the hoops of a sugar barrel or
even wood from a cheese box, both of which must be soaked and whittled
down thin, say to one-sixteenth of an inch in thickness. One of the best
melon shaped baskets which I have seen had its rings and ribs
constructed from wood taken from a butter box which was about eight
inches in diameter. Too much emphasis cannot be placed on the necessity
of getting the foundation features of this construction absolutely
accurate. This is truer of this shape than of almost any other.
Where it seems impossible to get either the ash splint or other material
spoken of, No. 8 or 10 round reed may be split lengthwise and used in
the construction of the rings. If these are to be used it will be found
necessary to have a greater number of ribs on which to weave than has
been spoken of previously. It does not seem wise, however, to attempt a
melon shaped basket over four or five inches in diameter with half round
reed as a foundation.
“Think it up a little” and see how broad the field of basketry really
may become.
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