RAFFIA BASKET-MAKING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18345, 10 March 1923, Page 4 (Supplement)

RAFFIA BASKET-MAKING.

Table baskets full of fruit are very attractive, and may be made quite easily at home. A circular tray with low edges and small side handles, made of vivid pink, green, or royal blue raffia, is quickly worked by hand.

Bay a bundle of raffia cf the colour referred, and packet of thick, strong laming needles. Thread a needle with a itrand of raffia. Take up enough strands ;o make a thin tail, wind them round your anger in a tiny ring and sew in place. Now continue round and round the ring alternately wrapping the thread in your needle round the tail to bind all the loose strands and stitching over both tail and ring to hold them together. As the work goes on there are always spaces in the previous ring through which the needle goes when attaching the tail to form the next one. Renew the tail with fresh strands as often as one is absorbed, so as to keep it always the same thickness. . Continue to sew round and round in a widening circle till the tray is big enough; then gradually turn the tail upwards and work a few rows vertically to form low sides to the tray. Finish off neatly, fill up the central ring with a few stitches, and attach strong plaited handles. It is a pretty idea to make a set of table mats to match, working them in the same way, but without - the turned-up edges or handles. <