INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

In this book of instruction, I have introduced for practice the easiest braids first—which are chain braids. The first pattern, found on page 9, is a very easy and handsome one, and should be practiced to perfection before trying any other, as it will enable the beginner to execute all others after the first is perfected. A new beginner should be particular to place the strands correctly upon the table, and mark the cover with precision, after the manner shown in the diagram. I have, by the introduction of plates, diagrams and explanatory remarks, made comprehensive and simple the execution of all the braids herein contained. The novice should first give special attention to preparing the hair for braiding, the adjustment of it to the bobbins, weights, molds, &c., of which plates, and full explanations are to be found elsewhere in this book. I wish to impress upon the mind of the worker, that every change made with the strands changes the numbers of them to correspond with the numbers on the table. For example: lift No. 1 over No. 2, which would make No. 1 No. 2, and No. 2 No. 1, &c.

AKE sixteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 1,—one in each hand—lift them over the table, one on each side of the mold, and lay them between Nos. 1 at B, and bring back the Nos. 2 from B, one on each side of the mold, and lay them between Nos. 2 at A; then go to C, lift Nos. 1 over between Nos. 1 at D, passing one strand each side of the mold, and bring back Nos. 2 from D, and lay between Nos. 2 at C. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence at A, as at first, and repeat until finished.

Braid this over a mold, made of small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off the weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid tight together; then boil in water about ten minutes, and take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until quite dry; then slip it off the wire on to the cord, sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take sixteen strands and place on table like pattern. Commence at A with sixty hairs in a strand. Take Nos. 2, lift over table to B, lay them in between Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B, and lay in between Nos. 1 at A. Then walk around table to C; take Nos. 1 and lift over table and lay them in between Nos. 1 at D, and bring back Nos. 1 from D to C; then take Nos. 2 at C, lift over table and lay them inside of Nos. 2 at D, and bring back Nos. 2 from D to C. After braiding several times round to suit your taste, say five, reverse the braid by commencing at C, and braiding as you did at A, by taking Nos. 2 at C, lift over table to D, and lay them in between Nos. 1 at D, and bring back Nos. 2 from D, and lay in between Nos. 1 at C. Then go to A and take Nos. 1, lift over table and lay in between Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A, then take Nos. 2 at A, lift over table and lay in between Nos. 2 at B, and fetch back Nos. 2 from B to A, then commence at C again and braid five times. Then commence at A as you did at first, reversing it every time you braid it five times through. Braid it over a small wire, tie the ends on the wire, boil and dry the same as chain on page nine, only you need not press the braid together on the wire.

Take sixteen strands, with eighty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A and B; take No. 1 at A in right hand, and No. 1 at B in left hand, and swing them around the table to the right, changing places with them. Then take Nos. 1 at C and D and change as at A and B. Then go to B and take Nos. 2 at B and A, and change them by taking No. 2 at B in right hand and No. 2 at A in left hand, and swing them around table to the right as before, changing places with them. Then go around the table to D, and take Nos. 2 at D and C, and change places as before, then take Nos. 3 at A and B and change as before. Then take Nos. 3 at C and D and change places with them. Then take Nos. 4 at B and A and change as before. Then take Nos. 4 at D and C and change as before. Then commence at A, as at first, repeating until the braid is finished.

Take thirty-two strands with twelve hairs in a strand, or any number that can be divided by four, and sixty strands for usual size, and place them on table like pattern. Have every alternate two strands of black hair, and the others of light hair. Commence at A, taking two strands of light hair in left hand, Nos. 1 and 2, and take two strands of black hair in right hand, Nos. 3 and 4, and cross No. 2 (light) over No. 3 (dark), then No. 1 (light) under No. 3 (dark), then No. 4 (dark) over Nos. 1 and 2 (light); so on around the table to the right until you get to A; then commence and work back to the left by taking light hair in left hand and dark hair in right hand, as before, and put No. 3 (dark) over No. 2 (light), and No. 4 (dark) under No. 2 (light), and No. 1 (light) over Nos. 3 and 4 (dark), so on around the table till you get to A; then commence as at first, so on, braiding first one way around the table then the other till you have the chain completed.

Braid it over wood, or brass wire, the size and length you wish your chain. When braided take off your weights, tie the ends fast and boil and dry, then take out the mold and put a cord through with some cotton wrapped around it so it will be soft and pliable. This is called the Striped Snake Braid, and can be braided all of one color if desired.

Take any number of strands that can be divided by two, eighty hairs in a strand, twenty strands for usual size, place on table like pattern. Commencing, take No. 1 at A in right hand and No. 1 at B in left hand, and swing around the table to the right, and lay the one in right hand at No. 1 at B, and the one in left hand at No. 1 at A; then bring back No. 2 at B with right hand, and No. 2 at A in left hand, to the left, then take No. 3 and swing to the right, then No. 4 and swing to the left, so on, round first to the right then to the left, with every number of strands till you get to No. 1; then commence as at first, and so on till the chain is as long as required.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid together on the wire; boil in water about ten minutes, then take it out and put it in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip off the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take thirty-two strands, or any number that can be divided by four, twelve hairs in a strand, and sixty strands for usual size; place them on table like pattern. Commence at A, lift No. 2 in your right hand, and put your left under your right hand and take up No. 3 and bring it back of No. 1, and lay them both down; then take No. 4 up and lay it between Nos. 1 and 2, then take the next four to the right, and so on till you get around the table; then commence and braid back around the table to the left, but reverse the braid by braiding it this way: lift No. 3 with your left hand, pass your right under and take No. 2 and bring it back over No. 4, and lay them both down; then take No. 1 and lift it over in between Nos. 3 and 4, and so on, till you get around the table. Then commence as at first, braid one way, then the other, till you have it as long as required. Braid it over wood or brass wire the size and length you wish your chain; when braided take off your weights, tie the ends fast, and boil and dry them; take out the mold and put a cord through with some cotton wrapped around it so that it will be soft and pliable. This is called the Snake Chain Braid.

Take sixteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place them on the table like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 1 strands, lift across the table and lay down inside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A, then lift Nos. 2 at A over inside Nos. 2 at B and bring Nos. 2 from B to A, then lift Nos. 3 from A to B, and bring back Nos. 3 from B to A, then lift Nos. 4 from A to B and bring back Nos. 4 from B to A, then commence at Nos. 1 again and repeat until the chain is completed.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of an needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take sixteen strands or any number that can be divided by two, usually eighty hairs in a strand. Commence at A and B, take No. 1 at A in right hand, and No. 1 at B in left hand, and swing them around table to right, and lay the one in right hand down at B across over No. 2, and the one in right hand lay down across over No. 2 at A; then go to C and D, and change No. 1 as before at A and B; then go to the next two strands and change as before, so on around the table, taking the next two each time until the chain is completed. Directions same as on page 9.

Take sixteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, lift Nos. 1 across table and lay in between Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then go to C, take Nos. 1 and lift across table and lay in between Nos. 1 at D, and bring back Nos. 1 from D to C; then go to A, take Nos. 2 and lift across inside of Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then go to C, lift Nos. 2 across inside of Nos. 2 at D, and bring back Nos. 2 from D to C; then go to A and commence as at first, and repeat until it is the required length.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid close together; then boil in water about ten 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 take it out and slip it off the wire on to the cord, sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip, and put a little shellac on the ends to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take sixteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place them on table like pattern. Commence at A and B with Nos. 1, passing them around table to the right, and leave No. 1 from A at B, and No. 1 from B at A. Then take Nos. 7 at A and B, and pass around table to right, and leave the one from A at B, and the one from B at A. Then take Nos. 2 at A and B, changing places with them; then take Nos. 8 and change as before; then take Nos. 3 at A and B and change them as before; then take Nos. 1 at A and B and change as at first; then take Nos. 4 and change as before; then take Nos. 2 and change as before; then take Nos. 5 and change as before, so on until the braid is finished, all the time taking the third strand to the right, or forward, and the second one to the left, or backward.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take eighteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A and B, take Nos. 1 and swing around table to the right, and place the No. 1 from A over the Nos. 2 and 3 at B, and the No. 1 from B over the Nos. 2 and 3 at A; then go to C and D, take the Nos. 1 and change the same; then go to E and F and change the same; then go to B and A, and change as at first,—all the time taking the Nos. 1, and swinging to the right, for when you lay them over the Nos. 2 and 3 it makes them Nos. 3, and makes Nos. 2 Nos. 1—and so on, until the chain is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid close together; then boil in water about ten 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 take it out and slip it off the wire on to the cord, sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip, and put a little shellac on the ends to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take sixteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place them on table like pattern. Commence at A and B, take No. 1 at A in right hand and No. 1 at B in left hand and swing them around the table to the right and lay the one in the right hand down at B, over across Nos. 2, 3 and 4, and the one in the left hand at A over across Nos. 2, 3 and 4, then go to C and take No. 1 at C and D and change as before at A and B; then go to B and take No. 1 at B and A and change them by taking No. 1 at B in right hand, and No. 1 at A in left hand and swing them round the table to the right as before, laying them across over Nos. 2, 3 and 4; so on braiding around the table to the right until you have it the required length.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take sixteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place them on table like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 2 and lift over across table outside of Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A outside of Nos. 1 at A, then take Nos. 1 at C and cross over inside of Nos. 1 at D, and bring back Nos. 2 from D inside of Nos. 2 at C, then go back to A and braid as before, so on repeating until it is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take ten strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place them on the table like pattern. Commence at A and B, take Nos. 1 and swing them around the table to the right, and leave No. 1 from A at B and the No. 1 from B at A, then take the Nos. 2 and swing them around the table to the right and change places with each other, then take Nos. 3 and change places as before; then take Nos. 4 and change places as before; then take Nos. 5 and change places as before; then commence at Nos. 1 and repeat until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take sixteen strands, seventy-five hairs in a strand, and place on the table like pattern. Commence at A take Nos. 1 and 2, lift across the table to B, and lay No. 1 outside of No. 4, and lay No. 2 between Nos. 1 and 2, and bring back Nos. 1 and 2 from B to A, and lay No. 1 outside of No. 4, and No. 2 outside of No. 1 at A; then go to C and take Nos. 1 and 2, lift over table to D and lay No. 1 outside of No. 4, and lay No. 2 between Nos. 1 and 2, and bring back Nos. 1 and 2 from C, and lay No. 1 outside of No. 4, and No. 2 outside of No. 1 at C; then go to B and change the same, and so on around the table to the right until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take twenty strands, seventy-five hairs in a strand, place on table like pattern. Commence at A, lift Nos. 1 over across the table inside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then take Nos. 2 at A, cross over and lay them between Nos. 2 at B, and carry back Nos. 2 from B to A; then take Nos. 3 at A, cross over inside of Nos. 3 at B, and bring back Nos. 3 from B to A; then take Nos. 4 at A and cross over inside of Nos. 4 at B, and bring back Nos. 4 from B to A; then take Nos. 5 at A, cross over inside of Nos. 5 at B, and bring back Nos. 5 from B to A; then take Nos. 1 at B, cross over inside of Nos. 1 at A, and bring back Nos. 1 from A to B; then take Nos. 2 at B and cross over inside of Nos. 2 at A, and bring back Nos. 2 from A to B; then take Nos. 3, so on around the table to the right until the braid is finished, all the time taking the next two.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take thirty-two strands, fifty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, lift Nos. 1 across inside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then change at C and D, E and F, and G and H the same, then go to A, lift Nos. 2 across in place of Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then change at C and D, E and F, and G and H the same. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence at A, as at first, repeating the changes until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid close together; then boil in water about ten 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 take it out and slip it off the wire on to the cord, sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip, and put a little shellac on the ends to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take sixteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place them on the table like pattern. Commence at A and B, take No. 1 at A in right hand and No. 1 at B in left hand, and swing them around to the right and change places with them; then take No. 1 at C in right hand and No. 1 at D in left hand, and swing around table to the right and change places as before; then take No. 2 at B in right hand and No. 2 at A in left hand and swing to the right and change as before; then take No. 2 at D in right hand and No. 2 at C in left hand and swing to the right and change as before; then take No. 3 at A in right hand and No. 3 at B in left hand and change as before; then take No. 3 at C in right hand and No. 3 at D in left hand and change as before; then take No. 4 at B in right hand and No. 4 at A in left hand and change as before then take No. 4 at D in right hand and No. 4 at C in left hand and change as before. Then commence at A as at first and repeat till the braid is finished.

For further directions see page 9.

Take twenty-four strands, seventy hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A—change Nos. 1 at A across inside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A, then go to C, change Nos. 1 across inside of Nos. 1 at D, and bring back Nos. 1 from D to C, then take Nos. 1 at E in right hand and No. 1 at F in left hand, lift across table in place of Nos. 1 at G and H, and bring back Nos. 1 from G and H to F and E; then take Nos. 2 at E and F and change across to G and H, and lay in place of Nos. 2, and bring back Nos. 2 from G and H to F and E; then take Nos 3 and change across to G and H as before; then take Nos. 4 at F and E and change across to G and H as before; then go to C and change the Nos. 1 across to D, and bring the Nos. 1 from D to C; then go to A and change the Nos. 1 across to B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then go to E and H, take No. 4 at H in right hand, and No. 4 at E in left hand, and lift across in place of Nos. 4 at F and G, and bring back Nos. 4 from F and G to E and H; then take Nos. 3 at E and H and change across in place of Nos. 3 at F and G, and bring back Nos. 3 from F and G to E and H; then take Nos. 2 at E and H and change across in place of Nos. 2 at F and G and bring back Nos. 2 from F and G to E and H; then take Nos. 1 at E and H, and change across in place of Nos. 1 at F and G, and bring back Nos. 1 from F and G to E and H; then go to A and commence as at first, and repeat till the chain is finished.

For further directions see page 9.

Take twenty-four strands, seventy hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, lift Nos. 1 across inside of No. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then change Nos. 1 at C and D the same; then change Nos. 1 at E and F the same; then go to A, lift Nos. 2 across to B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then change Nos. 2 at C and D the same; then change Nos. 2 at E and F the same, and you are through the braid ready to commence at A as at first.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take sixteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place them on the table like pattern. Commence at A, change the Nos. 1 across inside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then take No. 2 at A change over in place of Nos. 2 at B and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then go to C, and change the Nos. 1 from C to D, and bring back Nos. 1 from D to C; then take Nos. 2 at C and change over in place of Nos. 2 at D, and bring back Nos 2 from D to C; then go to A and begin as at first, repeating until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry, then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take thirty-two strands, fifty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Change Nos. 1 at A across inside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then change in the same way, successively, the Nos. 3, 5, 2, 4, 6, 3, 5, 7, 4, 6, 8, 5, 7, 1, 6, 8, 2, 7, 1, 3, 8, 2, 4—then you are through, ready to commence as at first.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire, then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take sixteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and lay on table like pattern. Commence at A and B—take No. 1 at A in left hand and No. 1 at B in right hand, swing around table to the left, and change places with them; then take No. 7 at B in right hand and No. 7 at A in left hand, and swing around the table to the right and change places with them; then take No. 5 at A in right hand and No. 5 at B in left hand, and swing around the table to the left, and change places as before; then take No. 8 at A in right hand and No. 8 at B in left hand and swing around table to the left and change as before; then take No. 6 at A in left hand, and No. 6 at B in right hand and swing around table to the right and change as before; then take No. 4 at A in right hand and No. 4 at B in left hand, and swing around table to the left and change as before; then take No. 7 at A in right hand and No. 7 at B in left hand, swing around table to the left and change as before, then take No. 5 at A in left hand and No. 5 at B in right hand, swing around table to the right and change as before; then take No. 3 at A in right hand and No. 3 at B in left hand and swing around table to the left and change as before; then take No. 6 at A in right hand and No. 6 at B in left hand and swing around table to the left and change as before; then take No. 4 at A in left hand and No. 4 at B in right hand and swing around table to the right and change as before; then take No. 2 at A in right hand and No. 2 at B in left hand and swing around table to the left and change as before; then take No. 5 at A in right hand and No. 5 at B in left hand and swing around table to the left and change as before, then take No. 3 at A in left hand and No. 3 at B in right hand, and swing around table to the right and change as before. Then commence at A as at first.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take eighteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A and B—take No. 1 at A in right hand and No. 1 at B in left hand and swing them around the table to the right and change places with them; then change the Nos. 8, 6 and 4 the same way; then count back five to the left (not counting the one last braided), bringing you to No. 9—swing as before to the right and change places; then change the Nos. 7, 5 and 3 the same way; then count back five, bringing you to No. 8—change the same; and so on, first counting two forward and change three times, and then count five back and change the same, so on until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take sixteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place them on the table like pattern. Commence at A and B, take No. 1 at A in right hand and No. 1 at B in left hand, and swing them around to the left and change places with them; then take successively Nos. 3, 5, 2, 4, 6, 3, 5, 7, 4, 6, 8, and change the same; then commence as at first with No. 1, so on repeating until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take twenty four strands, seventy hairs in a strand, and arrange like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 1 and lay them in the place of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then take Nos. 2 at C and lay in the place of Nos. 2 at D and bring back Nos. 2 from D to C. Then take the Nos. 3 from H and lay between the Nos. 3 at G, and bring back the Nos. 3 from G to H; then take the Nos. 4 at H and place between the Nos. 4 at G, and bring back the Nos. 4 from G to H; then take Nos. 5 at E and place between Nos. 5 at F, and bring back the Nos. 5 from F to E; then take the Nos. 6 at E and place them inside of Nos. 6 at F, and bring back the Nos. 6 from F to E. Commence at A as at first, and repeat until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take twenty-four strands, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 1 and place between Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B and lay in place of Nos. 1 at A; then change the Nos. 2 at A, and B the same way; then change the succeeding numbers, 3, 4, 5 and 6, all the same way. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence at Nos. 1 again, as at first, and repeat until the braid is the desired length.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid close together; then boil in water about ten 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 take it out and slip it off the wire on to the cord, sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip, and put a little shellac on the ends to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take eight strands, ninety hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence, take No. 1 at A in right hand, and No. 1 at B in left hand, and swing around table to the right—the No. 1 in the right hand over across Nos. 2, 3 and 4 at B, and the No. 1 in the left hand over across Nos. 2, 3 and 4 at A; repeat until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take sixteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place them on the table like pattern. Commence at A, take both No. 1 strands and cross over in between Nos. 1 on the opposite side to B, then bring back both Nos. 2 from B to A, and place them in between Nos. 2; then walk around table to C and braid it across table to D as before. Then commence at A and repeat until braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take any number of strands that can be divided by two, eight hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence by taking No. 1 at A and B and change places by swinging them to the right; then take No. 2 at A and B and change places with them by swinging to the left; then take No. 3 at A and B and change places by swinging them to the right; then Nos. 4, and change places by swinging them to the left, and so on, swinging to the right and left alternately, until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take any number of strands that can be divided by two, eighty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A and B, take Nos. 1 and swing them around table to the right—No. 1 from A around to B across No. 2 at B, and No. 1 from B across No. 2 at A; then take Nos. 1 at C and D and change as before; then change the same at E and F and at B and A, so on around the table to the right until the chain is completed. Any number of strands can be used by increasing the number in each place, or by having three, four, five or six in a place, care being taken to cross all the strands. For instance, there are four strands, No. 1 must be crossed over all as you braid around the table. By adding strands a different braid is formed.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take twenty strands, seventy hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, cross No. 1 in the right hand over the No. 1 in the left hand, and then go to B and cross No. 1 in the left hand over No. 1 in the right hand; then go back to A and take Nos. 1 and cross inside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then take Nos. 2 and change the same; then change Nos. 3 the same; then go to C and take Nos. 1 and cross inside of Nos. 2 at D, and bring back Nos. 1 from D and lay inside of Nos. 2 at C; then commence at A as at first, and repeat until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take twenty strands, seventy hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence take No. 1 at A in right hand and No. 1 at B in left hand, swing to the right and change places with them; then take Nos. 3 at A and lay inside of Nos. 2 at B, and bring Nos. 3 from B and lay inside of Nos. 2 at A; then go to C and take No. 1 in right hand and No. 1 at D in left hand, swing to the right and change places with them; then take Nos. 3 at C and lay inside of Nos. 2 at D, and bring back Nos. 3 from D and lay inside of Nos. 2 at C. Then commence at A as at first, and repeat until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry, then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take twenty-four strands, sixty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A and B: take Nos. 1 at A, and lift them across the table, and lay the one in left hand between Nos. 1 at B, and the one in right hand on the outside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back the Nos. 1 from B to A. Then pass round the table to the right, and change (in the same manner) successively, the Nos. 3, 5, 6, 2, 4, 6, 2, 4, 5, 1, 3 and 5; then commence at A with Nos. 1, as at first, and repeat until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid close together; then boil in water about ten 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 take it out and slip it off the wire on to the cord, sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip, and put a little shellac on the ends to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take thirty-two strands with fifty hairs in a strand, and place them on table like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 4 and lift over across table, and lay outside of Nos. 1 at B, then bring back Nos. 4 from B and lay outside of Nos. 1 at A; then take Nos. 3 at A and lift over across table and lay outside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 3 from B and lay outside of Nos. 1 at A; then change Nos. 2 at A and B the same; then take Nos. 1 and change the same; then go to D and change the same as at A; then go to B and change the same; then go to C and change the same, and you are ready to commence again at A, as at first: repeat until braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take thirty-two strands, sixty hairs in a strand and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 4 and lift over table and lay outside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 4 from B and lay outside of Nos. 1 at A; then go to D and change the Nos. 4 the same as at A and B; then go to B and change the same as at A; then go to C and change the same way, and then to A and change as at first, and so on, repeating the changes until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid close together; then boil in water about ten 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 take it out and slip it off the wire on to the cord, sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip, and put a little shellac on the ends to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take sixteen strands eighty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, change Nos. 1 across inside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then take Nos. 2 at A and change across inside of Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then go to C and change the Nos. 1 and the Nos. 2 across with the numbers at D the same as at A; then return to A and commence as at first and repeat ten times. Then change the figures on the table to correspond with the following diagram:

Then commence at A and B, take No. 1 at A in right hand and No. 1 at B in left hand, and swing around the table to the right, changing places with them; then take Nos. 1 at C and D and change the same; then change Nos. 2 at B and A the same; then change the Nos. 2 at D and C the same; then take Nos. 3 at A and B and change the same; then change the Nos. 3 at C and D; then the Nos. 4 at B and A; then the Nos. 4 at P and C; then commence at A as at first, and repeat ten times, so on braiding alternately ten rounds by the directions of each pattern until the braid is finished.

Take sixteen strands eighty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, change Nos. 1 across inside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then take Nos. 2 at A and change across inside of Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then go to C and change the Nos. 1 and the Nos. 2 across with the numbers at D the same as at A; then return to A and commence as at first and repeat ten times. Then change the figures on the table to correspond with the following diagram:

Then commence at A, take Nos. 1 and 2, lift across table to B and lay No. 1 outside of No. 4, and No. 2 between Nos. 1 and 2, and bring back Nos. 1 and 2 from B to A, and lay No. 1 outside of No. 4, and No. 2 outside of No. 1 at A; then go to C and take Nos. 1 and 2 and lift over table to D, and lay No. 1 outside of No. 4, and No. 2 between Nos. 1 and 2, and bring back Nos. 1 and 2 from C and lay No. 1 outside of No. 4 and No. 2 outside of No. 1 at C; then go to B and change the same, and so on around the table to the right, braiding alternately ten rounds by each diagram until the braid is finished.

Take sixteen strands eighty hairs in a strand, and place them on table like pattern. Commence at A, lift Nos. 1 over across the table and lay them in between Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then go to C and change the Nos. 1 across with the Nos. 1 at D the same; then take Nos. 2 at A and change across inside of Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then change the Nos. 2 at C across inside of Nos. 2 at D the same; then commence at A as at first, and repeat ten times. Then change the numbers on table to correspond with the following pattern or diagram:

Then commence at A, take Nos. 1 and 2, lift across table to B and lay No. 1 outside of No. 4, and No. 2 between Nos. 1 and 2, and bring back Nos. 1 and 2 from B to A, and lay No. 1 outside of No. 4, and No. 2 outside of No. 1 at A; then go to C and take Nos. 1 and 2 and lift over table to D, and lay No. 1 outside of No. 4, and No. 2 between Nos. 1 and 2, and bring back Nos. 1 and 2 from C and lay No. 1 outside of No. 4 and No. 2 outside of No. 1 at C; then go to B and change the same, and so on around the table to the right, braiding alternately ten rounds by each diagram until the braid is finished.

Take sixteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place them on the table like pattern. Commence at A and B, take No. 1 at A in right hand and No. 1 at B in left hand, swing around the table to the right and change places with them; then take Nos. 1 at C and D and change as at A and B; then change Nos. 2 at B and A the same; then change the Nos. 2 at D and C the same; then take Nos. 3 at A and B and change the same; then change the Nos. 3 at C and D; then the Nos. 4 at B and A, and also the Nos. 4 at D and C, all the time swinging to the right. Braid around ten times.

Then commence at A, take Nos. 1 and 2, lift across table to B and lay No. 1 outside of No. 4, and No. 2 between Nos. 1 and 2, and bring back Nos. 1 and 2 from B to A, and lay No. 1 outside of No. 4, and No. 2 outside of No. 1 at A; then change the same at C, B and D; then commence again at A and braid ten rounds, so on braiding alternately ten rounds by the directions of each pattern until the braid is finished.

Take sixteen strands eighty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, change Nos. 1 across inside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then take Nos. 2 at A and change across inside of Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then go to C and change the Nos. 1 and the Nos. 2 across with the numbers at D the same as at A; then return to A and commence as at first and repeat ten times. Then change the figures on the table to correspond with the following diagram:

Then commence at A and B, take No. 1 at A in right hand and No. 1 at B in left hand, and swing them around the table to the right, and lay the one in right hand down at B over across Nos. 2, 3 and 4, and the one in left hand at A over across Nos. 2, 3 and 4; then go to C and change the Nos. 1 at B and D the same; then go to B and change the Nos. 1 at B and A the same; so on, braiding around the table to the right, alternately braiding ten rounds by the directions of each pattern until the braid is finished.

Take sixteen strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place them on table like pattern. Commence at A, lift Nos. 1 over across the table and lay them in between Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then go to C and change the Nos. 1 across with the Nos. 1 at D the same; then take Nos. 2 at A and change across inside of Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then change the Nos. 2 at C across inside of Nos. 2 at D the same; then commence at A as at first, and repeat ten times. Then change the numbers on table to correspond with the following pattern or diagram:

Then commence at A and B, take No. 1 at A in right hand and No. 1 at B in left hand, and swing them around the table to the right, and lay the one in right hand down at B over across Nos. 2, 3 and 4, and the one in left hand at A over across Nos. 2, 3 and 4; then go to C and change the Nos. 1 at B and D the same; then go to B and change the Nos. 1 at B and A the same; so on, braiding around the table to the right, alternately braiding ten rounds by the directions of each pattern until the braid is finished.

Take twenty-six strands, sixty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A and B, take Nos. 1 and change places by swinging them around the table to the left; then take the third strands to the right of A and B, and change places by swinging them around the table to the right; then take the fourth strands to the right of the ones last taken, and change places by swinging them around the table to the left, and so on working around the table to the right; first swinging the strands to the left, and then to the right, taking alternately the third and fourth strands to the right of the ones last used, until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid together; then boil in water about ten minutes, and then take out and put it in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off the wire and on the cord, and sew the ends so it will not slip, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take twenty-four strands, sixty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, take No. 2 in right hand, swing around the table to the right and lay in place of No. 2 at B, and bring back No. 2 from B and lay in place of No. 2 at A; then take No. 1 at A in left hand, and change places with No. 1 at B by swinging around to the left; then go to C, take Nos. 3 and lift over table and lay inside of Nos. 3 at D, and bring back Nos. 3 from D and lay in place of Nos. 3 at C; then go to E and change the Nos. at E and F the same as at A and B; then go to G and change the same as at C and D, and so on, alternately changing, first as at A and B, and then as at C and D, until the braid is finished.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid together; then boil in water about ten minutes, and then take out and put it in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off the wire and on the cord, and sew the ends so it will not slip, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take twenty-four strands, seventy hairs in a strand, and place on the table like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 2 lift across table and lay in between Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then take Nos. 1 at A and lift across table and lay between Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then go to F, take No. 1 in right hand, swing around to the right and lay in place of No. 4 at E; then take No. 1 at E in left hand and swing around to the left and lay in place of No. 4 at F; then go to C, take Nos. 2 lift across table, and lay them in between Nos. 2 at D, and bring back Nos. 2 from D to C; then take Nos. 1 at C, lift across the table and lay between Nos. 1 at D, and bring back Nos. 1 from D to C; then you are through the braid, ready to commence as at first.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid together; then boil in water about ten minutes, and then take out and put it in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off the wire and on the cord, and sew the ends so it will not slip, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take twenty-four strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, take No. 1 in right hand, swing around to the right and lay in place of No. 4 at B; then take No. 1 at B in left hand, swing around table to the left and lay in place of No. 4 at A; then go to C, take No. 2 in right hand, swing around the table to the right and lay outside of No. 2 at D, and bring back No. 2 from D to C; then take No. 1 at C in left hand, swing around the table to the left and lay outside of No. 1 at D, and bring back No. 1 from D to C; then go to E and change the Nos. at E and F the same as you did at A and B; then change the Nos. at G and H the same as you did at C and D. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence at A, as at first.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid together; then boil in water about ten minutes, and then take out and put it in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off the wire and on the cord, and sew the ends so it will not slip, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take twenty-four strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, take No. 1 in right hand, swing around to the right and lay in place of No. 4 at B; then take No. 1 at B in left hand, swing around table to the left and lay in place of No. 4 at A; then go to C, take Nos. 1 and lift them across the table and lay in between Nos. 1 at D, and bring back Nos. 1 from D to C; then go to E, and change the Nos. at E and F the same as you did at A and B; then go to G, and change the Nos. at G and H the same as you did at C and D. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence at A, as at first.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid together; then boil in water about ten minutes, and then take out and put it in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off the wire and on the cord, and sew the ends so it will not slip, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take twenty-four strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, take No. 1 at the left side of A in the right hand, and No. 1 at the left of B in the left hand, swing them around the table to the right and lay the one from B at the right of A, and the one from A at the right of B; then go to C, take No. 1 at the left side of C in the right hand, and No. 1 at the left side of D in the left hand, swing them around the table to the right, and lay the one from C at the right of D, and the one from D at the right of C; then go to B, take Nos. 3 and lift them across table and lay between Nos. 3 at A, and bring back Nos. 3 from A to B; then change Nos. 2 and 1 the same way; then go to C, take Nos. 3 and lift across the table and lay between Nos. 3 at D, and bring back Nos. 3 from D to C; then change Nos. 2 and 1 the same way. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence as at first, at A.

For explanation see page 9.

Take twenty-four strands, eighty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 2 and lift across the table and lay between Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then change Nos. 1 the same way; then go to C, take Nos. 2 and lift them across the table and lay between Nos. 2 at D, and bring back Nos. 2 from D to A; then change Nos. 1 the same way; then go to E, take Nos. 1 and 2 and lift them across the table to F, and lay No. 1 from E at the right of No. 1 at F, and No. 2 from E at the right of No. 2 at F, and bring back the Nos. 1 and 2 from F to E; then go to G and change the same from G to H as you did at E and F. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence at A, as at first.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid together; then boil in water about ten minutes, and then take out and put it in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off the wire and on the cord, and sew the ends so it will not slip, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take twenty-four strands, seventy hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 1 cross over and lay between Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B and lay between Nos. 2 at A; then go to E, take Nos. 1 and 2 and cross over to F, and lay No. 1 down at the right of No. 1 at F, and No. 2 at the right of No. 2 at F, and and bring back Nos. 1 and 2 from F to E; then go to C, and change the Nos. at C and D the same as you did at A and B; then go to G, and change the Nos. at G and H the same as you did at E and F. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence at A, as at first.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire, and push the braid together; then boil in water about ten minutes, and then take out and put it in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off the wire and on the cord, and sew the ends so it will not slip, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take twenty-four strands, seventy hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 1 and change places by crossing one over the other; then go to B and cross the Nos. 1 the same way; then go back to A, take Nos. 1 and cross over and lay between Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then take Nos. 2 at A, and cross over and lay between Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then change Nos. 3 and 4 the same way; then go to C, take Nos. 1 and 2 and cross over to D, and lay the No. 1 from C down at the left of No. 1 at D, and the No. 2 from C down at the left of No. 2 at D, and bring back the Nos. 1 and 2 from D to C; then take the Nos. 3 and 4, cross over to D and lay the No. 3 from C down at the right of No. 3 at D, and the No. 4 from C down at the right of No. 4 at D, and bring back Nos. 3 and 4 from D to C. Then you are through the braid, ready to commence at A, as at first.

For explanation see page 9.

Take sixteen strands, twenty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 1 and 4 left across to B, lay in place of Nos. 1 and 4 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 and 4 from B to A; then take No. 2 at A in right hand and No. 3 in left hand, pass right hand round table to the right to B, and lay the No. 2 from A in place of No. 3 at B, and bring back No. 2 from B to A in right hand, and pass left hand round table to the left, and lay No. 3 from A in place of No. 2 at B, and bring back No. 3 from B to A, and lay No. 3 from B down at No. 2 at A, and lay No. 2 from B down at No. 3 at A, then go to C and take Nos. 1 across over inside of Nos. 1 at D, and bring back Nos. 1 from D to C; then go to A and repeat this all three times; then the fourth time at C you take Nos. 1 at C across over to D and lay outside of Nos. 2 at D, bring back the Nos. 1 from D to C and lay them outside of Nos. 2 at C; then you are through the braid, ready to commence as at first at A. Braid it over a small cord so as to put it up together.

Take sixteen strands, twenty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 1 at A lift across inside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then go to C, take Nos. 1 at C lift across inside of Nos. 1 at D, and bring back Nos. 1 from D to C; then commence at A again and repeat it three times; then commence at A, take Nos. 1 across to B and lay them outside of Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A and lay outside of Nos. 2 at A; then go to C and change from C to D the same as from A to B; then you are through the braid, ready to commence as at first.

Braid this over a small wire, with a hole in one end like the eye of a needle, so as to draw a small cord in the place of the wire. When you have it braided, take off your weights, tie the ends fast on the wire and push the braid together on the wire; then boil in water about ten minutes; then take it out and put in an oven as hot as it will bear without burning, until it is quite dry; then take it out and slip it off of the wire on to the cord, and sew the ends of the braid so it will not slip on the cord, and put a little shellac on the end to keep it fast. If you want it elastic, use elastic cord. To vary the size of the braid, vary the number of hairs in a strand.

Take sixteen strands, twenty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 1 at A across over inside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then take Nos. 2 at A across over inside of Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then take No. 1 at C in right hand and No. 1 at D in left hand and change them, lay the No. 1 from C in place of No. 1 at D, and lay the No. 1 from D in place of No. 1 at C; then change the Nos. 1 and 2 at A and B as at first; then change the Nos. 2 at C and D, as you did the Nos. 1 at C and D; then change the Nos. 1 and 2, as before, at A and B; then take Nos. 3 at C and D and change as you did the Nos. 2 at C and D; then change again Nos. 1 and 2 at A and B as at first; then take the Nos. 4 at C and D and change as you did the Nos. 3 at C and D; then you are through the braid, ready to commence as at first.

Braid this without cord or wire.

Take sixteen strands, twenty hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 1 lift over to B in place of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then take Nos. 2 at A and change over in place of Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then take No. 3 at A in right hand and No. 3 at B in left hand, and lay them inside of Nos. 1 at D, and bring back Nos. 1 from D and lay in place of Nos. 3 at A and B; then take No. 4 at A in left hand and No. 4 at B in right hand, and lay inside of Nos. 1 at C, and bring back Nos. 1 from C to A and B, and lay in place of Nos. 4; then commence as at first and repeat this three times, then take Nos. 1 at A, lift over to B in place of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A; then take Nos. 2 at A and change over in place of Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A; then take Nos. 3 at A and B, lay inside of Nos. 1 at D; then take Nos. 4 at A and B, lay inside of Nos. 1 at C; then take Nos. 2 at A and lay outside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B and lay outside of Nos. 1 at A; then take Nos. 1 at C, lift over inside of Nos. 1 at D and bring back Nos. 1 from D and lay inside of Nos. 1 at C; then take No. 1 at C, on the side next to B, in right hand, and lay it inside of No. 1 at B; then take the No. 1 at D, next to B, in left hand, and lay it inside of No. 1 at B; then take the No. 1 at C, next to A, in right hand, and lay it inside of No. 1 at A; then take No. 1 at D, next to A, and lay it inside of No. 1 at A; then take the Nos. 3 and 4 at A, lift over to B, and lay outside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 3 and 4 from B and lay outside of Nos. 1 at A; then lift Nos. 2 at A over and lay in place of Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B to A, and lay in place of Nos. 2 at A; then take No. 4 at A, in left hand, and No. 4 at B in right hand, and lay them inside of Nos. 1 at C, and bring the Nos. 1 from C back in place of the Nos. 4 at A and B; then take No. 3 at B in left hand, and No. 3 at A in right hand, and lay them inside of Nos. 1 at D, and bring back Nos. 1 from D and lay in place of Nos. 3 at A and B; then you are through the braid, ready to commence as at first.

Take twenty-two strands, fifteen hairs in a strand, and place on table like pattern. Have the strands at A and B black hair, and those at C and D light hair. Commence at A, take Nos. 1 and cross over inside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B and lay in place of Nos. 1 at A, then take Nos. 2 at A, cross over inside of Nos. 2 at B, and bring back Nos. 2 from B and lay inside of Nos. 2 at A; then take No. 1 at C in right hand, and No. 1 at D in left hand, cross over and lay the No. 1 from C at D, and the No. 1 from D at C; then change the Nos. 1 and 2 at A and B as at first; then take the Nos. 2 at C and D and change them as you did the Nos. 1; then change again at A and B as at first; then take the Nos. 3 at C and D, and change as you did the Nos. 2; then change again at A and B, and so on till you get to Nos. 7, and after changing that, change again at A and B; then change Nos. 7 again, then those at A and B, then Nos. 6, then at A and B, then Nos. 5, and so on back to No. 1, and change No. 1 there as you did Nos. 7. Always braid those at A and B between each of those at C and D.

Take 24 strands, twenty-five hairs in a strand, and place on table like this pattern. Commence at A, take Nos. 1 lift across inside of Nos. 1 at B, and bring back Nos. 1 from B to A, then go to C and take Nos. 1 at C and cross inside of Nos. 1 at D, and bring back Nos. 1 from D to C, then go to A and change Nos. 1 from A to B, as at first, then take Nos. 1 at E and F and swing round table with the same, and lay down in between Nos. 1 at A and B, and lay the No. 1 at A and B in the place of No. 4 at E and F, then change the Nos. 1 at C across inside of Nos. 1 at D, and bring back Nos. 1 from D to C, then change Nos. 1 at A and B the same, then the Nos. 1 at C and D again, then take Nos. 1 at H and G, swing round table with the same, and lay in between Nos. 1 at C and D, and lay the right hand ones at C and D up in place of No. 4 at H and G, then you are through the braid ready to commence as at first. Braid it over a cord so to push it together.