Figure 101.—Basket ('ato fili tolu) closing bottom (second course):

a, The braiding of the first course is completed when the last turned-down wefts (1' and 2') are respectively added to the middle ply from the right. After the last one (2') is added to the middle ply, the back ply with (1') is twisted in from the left to the middle position. The first free weft (4) which passed over the commencement of the braid is now to the right. It is passed under the last two wefts added to the braid (1' and 2') and then brought up over the braid to enter the middle ply (1') from the left. The weft (4) thus binds the commencement and finish of the marginal braid together and is termed the so'o (join). The mesial braid commences with the twist next to the join. Taking this as the far point, the braid is plaited down the mesial line towards the worker by adding the free wefts alternately from either side to the ply that has been twisted into the middle position from the respective sides. In this position, the projecting free wefts which were all dextrals, incline toward the plaiter on the left but away from her on the right. The difference in direction on the right makes no difference to technique, but they are simply bent back with or without a half turn to take their place in the braid. b, As the last addition was the joining weft from the left, the back ply is twisted into the middle position from the right and the next free weft on the right (6) added to the ply. Then follows a twist on the left and the addition of the first free weft on the left (7). As the braiding proceeds down the mesial line, the alternate wefts from either side (8-13) are slightly lengthened before inclusion in the braid. Past the middle of the course, they are gradually shortened again so that the elliptical marginal braid is not closed in too much at the sides. In this way a somewhat rounded bottom is given to the basket, which contrasts with the single braid basket. When all the free wefts have been used up, the braid is continued on as a free tail, knotted at the end and thrust through the bottom of the basket to the inside. (See Plate XIII, E and F.)