Page 73 - J. C. Turner - History and Science of Knots

Ancient Egyptian Rope and Knots 61

Apart from these disposable bags, plaiting was also used for making bas-
kets and mats. These were made of plaited strips, laid out parallel and sewn by
pulling a string alternately through the edges of both plaits (Fig. 26). The fin-
ishing of the edge of the mat was made by sewing on a separate plait. Baskets
were made by sewing a long plait spirally from centre to rim (Fig. 27).

Fig. 26. Mat made of plaited strips which were sewn in the edges. Because the
edges are pulled inside each other , the strands seem to form continuously plaited
fabric. The plaits were made with 17 strands in a \2/2\\1 pattern

Fig. 27. One long plait is sewn spirally to form a basket. The plait is made with
9 strands in a \2/2\\1 pattern