All the free ends of dextrals and sinistrals on either side are plaited together in one length of braid. Thus the left sinistrals are crossed over the braid as in the previous technique but it is then twisted back with the next sinistral page 178from the right and becomes an element of the braid. Similarly, the dextrals on the right are pulled up and crossed over the braid where it is held by one of the plies of the braid crossing it. It is then doubled back and enters the braid from the left. Both these two sets run in a direction opposite to the working direction of the braid, hence their rejection in the former technique until the bottom was turned and the braid picked them up on its return when their direction coincided.

This finish is not so good and will not carry a heavy load without unravelling. Where the load is not heavy and a quickly made basket is desired, it may be used.

In this variation after the first length of braid has been plaited as in the double braid technique, on the return journey the second set of wefts are twisted round (taviri) instead of being braided.

In plaiting the first length of braid, the right dextrals are pulled up, brought over the braid and fixed by one stroke of the crossing sinistral, similar to that of left sinistrals by their corresponding dextrals. Thus when the braid is turned over to commence the second course, the dextrals from what is now the left, and the sinistrals from the right, cross each other in the middle line above the first braid. These are simply twisted in turn round the turned-back braid for a couple of twists, and the end carried on to prolong the braid, as in A, Fig. 160. The leaflets that

Figure 160.
Tapora basket, twisted finish at bottom.

page 179took part in the first course of the braid are shown with their midribs, to distinguish them from the second set, which are plain.

Hence in Fig. 160, the sinistrals, S1, 2 and 3, have been so treated and also the dextrals, Dl, 2 and 3. As D3 was the last to be twisted round the middle twist A, it is now the turn for a leaflet from the right. This is S4, which is picked up on the right side of the twist A, and brought over it from the right, just as the last leaflet, D3, was brought over from the left. This will be followed by D4, S5 and D5, in that order. At the end, the middle ends forming A, are knotted together and thrust up through the bottom of the basket.

This finish looks neat enough, but is liable to loosen and unravel, if subjected to the strain of a heavy load.

The upper edges of the tapora are formed by splitting down the leaf midrib and thus opening out the basket. When the basket is filled, the split midrib edges of the rim may be tied together with a piece of hau bark.