Page 78 - Eric C. Fry - Knots and Ropework

46 A considerable length of cordage is required to form this plait and
the rope which, from time to time disappears out of the picture
and returns, is in fact the bight of a long rope.
Ocean Plait The rope is laid up as Fig 1, after which the part in the left hand
of this figu re is brought over the other tai l and up under the one
and/or Mat bight as shown in Fig 2. The par! now held in the left hand in Fig
2 is the one end which remains in this position and is not used
again.
The other end is worked over one/under one as shown in Figs 3
and 4, the first full circuit of the plait being completed as Fig 5,
the working end meeting the other at the point of origin, laying
alongside it and pointing in the correct direction to continue
with the first follow around.
This is completed as Fig 6, when once again the working end
returns to the point of origin. ready to commence the third .. Ifcuit.
after which the whole is worked light and to shape. the ends cut
off and buried under the mat. The completed work appears al'
shown in Fig 7.
The mal may be followed around more than three times. if
requ ired. but then the whole tends to become unwieldy and the
strands beg in to ride up over each other.
It is usually used as the centre piece of a larger mat. perhaps
being surrounded by several turns of simple plaiting. before the
introduction of a circle of other, smaller mats ('f a different
design. the whole being sewn together with sail twine.