Figure 77.—Roof sheet technique (laupola), left half sheet:

a, the first leaflet (1) is raised and the right leaflet of the first pair (2') is bent over the left member of the pair (2) to form the first sinistral and pressed down with the thumb to open it out. After it has passed back, the first leaflet (1) is dropped down over it to maintain the check technique; b, for the next movement, the right hand member of the next pair (3') is bent back over (3) after (2) has been raised. As (2) is dropped over (3'), the dextrals on either side of it (1 and 3) are raised with the left hand and the right member of the next pair (4') bent back into position. The dextrals (1 and 3) are then dropped over it. As (1) is dropped, the next dextral below it (2) is picked up. As (3) is dropped, the next dextral (4) is also picked up. A shed is thus formed for the next sinistral, which is the right one of the next pair (5'). The sinistral (5') is bent back into position. The left hand is still holding up the dextrals (2 and 4). Before (2) is dropped, the dextral above it (1) is picked up, then (2) is dropped, the dextral below it (3) is picked up, the dextral (4) is dropped and the next dextral (5) is picked up. It is seen that the left hand picks up and drops the dextrals alternately to maintain the check. The shed for the next sinistral weft (6') being prepared, it is bent back over its left neighboring dextral (6). The dextrals (1, 3, and 5) have been held up but as each is dropped over the sinistral (6'), the alternate dextrals (2, 4, and 6) are picked up to form the shed for the next sinistral (7'). This is the position shown on the right of the figure. The depth of plaiting is now sufficient for the sheet. In rearranging the dextrals to cover the sinistral (7') and prepare the shed for the next sinistral, the order commencing always from the top is 2 down, 3 up, 4 down, 5 up, 6 down, and 7 up. The dextral (1) immediately above the first dextral put down (2) is not picked up as the depth of plaiting is now sufficient. A full working edge is now established with three dextrals down and three raised. With each movement, the uppermost dextral of the last series is left down and a new one added by the left element of the new pair over which the new sinistral is bent. In this way the plaiting moves from left to right across the full length of the leaf strip. The left edge may be finished off as soon as the full plaiting depth is reached or while it is being built up. The left end of the sheet shows the ends of the sinistrals projecting beyond the first dextral (1). c. The lowest projecting sinistral (2') is bent at right angles to form an acting dextral by giving it a half turn which exposes its other surface. It is passed over the sinistral above it (3'), and therefore the alternate sinistrals (4' and 6') are raised to allow it to pass under them. d, The next projecting page 171sinistral (3') is next bent at right angles and passes over the near sinistral (4') and under the next (5'). This last movement completes the depth of the plaiting. In order to keep the bent in wefts from springing back, the sinistrals (4' and 5') are tied over the last bent weft (3') in a reef knot, e, Instead of tying a knot, the sinistral (4') may be doubled back over the last turned in weft (3') and passed under the first convenient crossing weft on its course (1).

Figure 78.—Pinning leaflets, roof sheet:

a, in the leaf strip being plaited, the sinistrals as shown by (1) have a tendency to straighten out towards the right owing to their having been bent in from that direction. This can be counteracted by a dextral weft (2) which crosses above it. b, The dextral (2) is bent back and its midrib pinched through with the thumb nail at a point well on the near side of where it crosses the leaflet midrib of the sinistral (1); c, the dextral (2) is straightened out and the lower end of the upper section of midrib pushed through the sinistral weft (1) on the far side of its midrib; d, the leafy part of the dextral (2) is cut away to show how the midrib end passes through the leafy part of (1); e, the leafy part of the sinistral (1) is cut away to show how the midribs lock.

Figure 79.—Roof sheet, right edge finish:

a, the sinistral (9) is the last or marginal one while of the dextrals which project, the turning in commences with the lowest (1); b, as the lowest dextral (1) has to be turned in over the dextral (2) to maintain the check, the alternate dextrals (3 and 5) are raised and the turned in weft (1) placed in position; c, the raised dextrals (3 and 5) are placed over the acting sinistral (1) and the alternate (4) raised. The next dextral from below (2) is bent in over (3) and after dropping (4) over it, the two dextrals (3 and 4) are knotted together to prevent unravelling.

Figure 80.—Roof sheet technique, right half sheet:

a, the first leaflet on the right (1) is raised, while the left leaflet of the next pair (2') is passed back over the sinistral (2) and under (1); b, in the next movement, the sinistral (1) was left down, the next on the left (2) raised and the left (3') of the next pair bent back over (3), under (2), and over (1). For the next movement, the alternate sinistrals (1 and 3) are raised and (2) left down while the next dextral (4') is turned back over (4 and 2). For the next movement (1 and 3) will be dropped over the dextral (4') and the alternate sinistrals (2 and 4) raised. The weft (5') will then be turned back as a dextral and so the plaiting will work towards the left, c, The required depth having been reached after the plaiting of the dextrals (4 and 5'), the right edge is defined by first turning in the dextral (2') and then (3'). The next dextral (4') is doubled back over (3') and passed under a crossing weft (1) to lock the edge.

Figure 81.—Carrying sheet, plaiting of half sheets:

a, in the left half leaf after the left edge has been turned in and the depth reached, each dextral weft after reaching the plaiting edge, is turned forward at right angles, and placed on the sinistral which has been laid in the shed formed at the working edge. The turning down movement is called afe. Thus the acting dextral (3') having reached the required depth is turned forward on the sinistral (6') after it is laid in its shed. On the completion of the movement, the dextral (3') is crossed by the top raised dextral (1) and its lower end lifted up while the following dextrals are passed over the sinistral (6'). The dextral (3') is thus kept out of the way of the plaiting edge for the time being and is crossed by only page 173one weft in order that is may be easily pulled out later. There is no confusion as to which sinistral the dextral should be turned down on, as it is the one which meets the dextral at the plaiting edge. This is continued throughout. The dextral (3) is shown turned down on the sinistral (10') which has just been placed in the shed at the working edge. It has been crossed by the top raised dextral (5) and turned back out of the way to prevent being caught under the following raised dextrals which have yet to cross over the sinistral (10'). It is obvious that in turning down one set of crossing elements from the plaiting edge, it can only be the set which is inclined towards the working edge. In the left half sheet, the set can only be the dextrals. If the sinistrals are turned down at right angles from the plaiting edge, they fall on the already plaited part and cannot be included under any element that is being worked. To push them under a crossing element that has already been worked would necessitate taking the fingers away from the working edge and thus cause delay. b, The right half sheet is plaited in the orthodox way from right to left. Following the principle enunciated above, the set of elements to be turned down from the plaiting edge must be the sinistrals as they are the elements which incline towards the working edge.

Figure 82.—Carrying sheet, joining half sheets (first course):

a, the right end of the left half sheet is shown numbered afresh. The end dextral (1) could be turned up over (2)to function as a sinistral but, as there is no crossing element to hold it, it is left for the time being, b, the left end of the right half sheet is also numbered afresh page 174and the first sinistral (1') left projecting. c, The advantage of tucking down one set of elements in each sheet is clearly seen. It avoids confusion at the plaiting edges. By placing the left half sheet on the right, the projecting sets of elements from either are directed towards each other. As they have to be plaited together in a three-ply braid, they fall naturally into position, d, Commencing at the far end, the first weft from the left (1') is turned in over (2') to complete the check and diagonally over the middle line. The first weft on the right (1) is picked up from under (2'), turned in over (2) to complete the check, and crossed over the first ply (1'). Turning now to the left, the projecting weft (2') is left alone and the first of the downward directed wefts (3) is lifted up and crossed over (1). We have now the three plies to commence the braid. A braid is worked by twisting the back element of the pair across that in front of it to the middle position and then adding a weft from the same side of the plaiting edge. e, The first movement is to twist the back element of the pair (1') over (3) to the middle position; f, the weft (2) is left projecting and the next weft (3') is added to the twisted over ply (1'); g, the pair is now on the left so the back element (1) is twisted over the double ply in front of it; h, the next projecting weft on the left (4) is added to the middle ply. The technique is now established. The next movement is to turn the back element (3) over that in front to the middle and then add (4') to it. The plies thicken but it makes no difference to the braiding. As each element is added from the side to the middle ply, it is pulled so as to bring the plaiting edge in close to the braid, k, The braiding is continued to the near end of the half sheets. When all the free wefts have been included in the braid, the braiding is continued on as a free tail for a few strokes.

Figure 83.—Carrying sheet, joining (second course):

a, The free braid, is doubled over and its plies indicated by 3, 4, and 5. The ends of the wefts (1' and 2') on the left and (1 and 2) on the right have been turned back out of the way. When they are pulled out from under the single crossing wefts and straightened out in their natural direction, it is obvious that the wefts from both sides will incline towards the plaiter. They are pulled out alternately from each side and brought in over the middle ply of the braid. The weft (1') on the left when pulled out will be in the same line as the middle ply (3) of the braid, so the plaiting may commence, b, The first turned down weft on the left (1') is pulled up and laid on the middle ply (3). c, The back ply of the pair (4) is twisted over the middle ply (3) with the incorporated weft (1'). The turned down weft on the right (1) is pulled up and laid on the middle ply (4). The next movement will be twisting the back element of the pair (5) over the ply (4) with the weft (1) to the middle position. The next turned down weft on the left (2') will then be pulled up and added to the middle ply (5). d, The established technique is continued as shown. The next movement is to pull out the left weft (1) and add it to the middle ply (3). The back ply (4) will then be twisted over and the right weft (2) added to it. The braid is continued down the full length of the sheet and all the turned down wefts thus added to the second course of the braid. At the end, the braid is continued as a free tail and finished off with an overhand knot. The tail is twisted around to the under surface and the knot pushed through under a crossing weft to keep it in place.

Figure 84.—Ridging sheet (fa'atafiti):

a, Whole sheet on left; half sheet from left side of a whole leaf placed on the right so that leaflets cross naturally. The lowest dextral pair (2) from the whole leaf is crossed by the sinistral pair (3) from the split midrib. The next dextral pair (4) is crossed above the sinistral pair (3) while the next sinistral pair (5) is lifted over (4). In this manner the single plait, or crossing arrangement, is continued alternately from side to side along the middle line between the two midribs. When the leaflets become too short, towards the top ends of the leaves, to maintain the even balance of the sheet, leaflets from each side are tied together in a reef knot as at the commencement; b, The other half sheet (6) is laid in position on the left and supplies dextral wefts to cross the sinistral wefts from the left side of the whole sheet. The lowest leaflets are knotted and the crossings take place as on the right. It is more awkward plaiting on the left, as the leaflets from the right half sheet project across the middle midrib, but they are readily lifted out of the way. On completing the two sides, the leaflets from each half sheet cross each other above the middle midrib. The two lowest wefts are tied in a reef knot over the middle midrib (1) and the crossing leaflets are arranged in order over the middle in exactly the same manner as the two sides. At intervals, two crossing wefts are tied in a reef knot to prevent the midrib of the half leaves working out from the middle midrib.

Figure 85.—Wall screen, commencement (fa'a'au):

a, The first dextral on the left (1') is picked up with the left hand from below the first two sinistrals (1 and 2) on the left. b, Still holding up the first dextral with the left hand, the next sinistral (3) is passed under it. c, The left hand still retaining the first dextral, picks up the next dextral on the right (2') and holding them both up, passes the next sinistral on the right (4') under them, d, The left hand has now to pick up the next dextral (3') but, as it already holds two wefts and the stroke is to be a twilled two, it has to drop the first dextral (1'). Holding up the pair (2' and 3'), the right hand passes the next sinistral (5) under them. As the dextral (1') has been dropped, the sinistral (5), after passing under two crossing wefts, passes above the dropped dextral (1') and thus maintains the twilled two stroke, c, From now on, the technique is established. The left hand drops the upper or left element of the pair it holds and picks a new dextral from below or to the right. The right hand then passes the next sinistral under the raised pair of dextrals with the appearance shown.

Figure 86.—Wall screen, side edges, horizontal twill (afeafe):

a, The first sinistral (1) is turned in over the second sinistral (2), and passes under the next two crossing elements. The next sinistral (2) then passes over (3) and (3) in turn over (4). Above this all the sinistrals show in the upper layer. The sinistral weft (4) is arranged so that it passes above two dextrals (the turned in sinistrals 2 and 1). The other sinistrals to the right commencing with (5) are gathered to the right by the right hand. It is obvious that the dextral (2) must be held up together with the one above it (3) before the next sinistral (5) can be dropped back into position to continue the twilled two plait. This is done, b, For the next movement, the upper of the pair (3) is dropped and a fresh dextral on the right (1) is picked up. The next sinistral (6) is placed in position. This technique is followed throughout, the upper of the pair of dextrals is dropped, and a new dextral picked up below and the next sinistral dropped back in position. Successive sections are plaited until the depth of the sheet is reached.

Figure 87.—Wall screen, vertical twill:

a, Shows the first three sinistrals turned in, but as the lowest (1) has passed under two wefts, it is lifted up before the next sinistral (5) is placed in position. b, The sinistral (4) is then turned in over (5) to act as a dextral. In arranging for the next sinistral (6) it will be seen that the acting dextral (2) has passed under two crossing wefts and it is accordingly raised while (6) is placed in position. The sinistral (6) has passed over three dextral wefts (1, 1', and 2'). The lowest of these (2') is lifted up to lie on the sinistrals. The formation of vertical twills can now be followed, c, For the next sinistral (7), the dextral (3) above the last raised (2) is lifted and (7) placed in position. The sinistral (5) has been turned in at the edge so that (7) passes above it. The sinistral (6) is also bent in over (7). Each sinistral from (6) upwards forms a lower twilled three and an upper twilled two. After each sinistral is laid in position the lower element of three dextrals crossed is lifted up on the right of the sinistral. Thus, after placing (7), the lowest dextral (1') is lifted up. The next highest dextral (4) is lifted while the sinistral (8) is placed in position. Then the lowest dextral of the three (1) is lifted up from below the sinistrals which cover it. The placing of sinistral (8) is about as far as it is safe to go with the left edge. The sinistral has a long course from the plaiting edge formed by the horizontal line of twilled twos and the left edge. Once a sinistral is turned at the left edge, its course is fixed and alterations cannot be made without undoing the plaiting. Examination will show that next to the turn at the left edge, there is a vertical line of sinistral twilled twos followed by a vertical line of dextral checks and then sinistral threes. The sinistral threes are defined on the right by lifting the lowest dextral of the three after each sinistral crosses them as was done by (2' and 1'). Therefore, before the next sinistral (9) can be placed in position, it must be decided what pattern is to be followed on the right of the sinistral twilled threes or what is to be done with the dextral (2'). The pattern followed on the right is dextral twilled twos and then sinistral threes. Hence, as the dextral (2') has already formed a twilled two, it is dropped. The two dextrals above it (1' and 1) must be raised to continue the line of twilled twos vertically. In any case, the upper of the two (1) had to be raised as it is the lowest crossed by the sinistral three formed by (8). The dextral (4) is dropped, as it is part of a vertical line of check, and (5) must be picked up. Hence to form a shed for the sinistral, (9), the dextral (5) is picked up, (4) dropped, (1 and 1') picked up, and (2') dropped. The others not mentioned are already down, d, When the sinistral (9) is laid in position, it will be found to have commenced vertical lines of dextral twos and sinistral threes on the lower end of its course. The continuation of vertical twos and threes is shown by carrying on the technique discussed. The depth of the pattern is bounded by a horizontal line of dextral checks commencing on the left edge with the turning in of weft (8) as a dextral over (9). It develops simply by dropping the first one on the left over the sinistral and picking up the next dextral on the right in forming a shed for the next sinistral.

Figure 88.—Wall screen, geometrical pattern (mamanu). The larger triangles in Plate XII, A, 2, are worked out in figure 88:

a, The twilled-two commencement varies in lifting up the first dextral 1' from under one sinistral (1) instead of two. As a result, the first sinistral (1) when turned in to commence the left edge passes under the projecting sinistral above it. Each acting dextral turned in from the left edge passes under two crossing sinistrals and then over one, as shown by weft (1). b, Commencing with sinistral (4) the line of vertical dextral checks is continued up over four sinistrals (4-7). Between the commencing horizontal twilled twos and the vertical line of checks, the four sinistrals (4-7) have formed a triangular figure of which the right boundary is the sinisral (7). The four sinistrals forming the triangle have crossed respectively one, three, five, and seven dextrals. Of the seven dextrals crossed by the sinistral (7) the top one (3) is left down and the other six (2-4') raised and held up by the left hand. c, The right hand now picks the next six sinistrals (8-13) to the right of the sinistral last used (7). The two series of six wefts are dropped into position alternately, commencing with the left sinistral (8) and the top dextral (2). Thus the sinistral (8) is dropped back into its natural lines and the top dextral (2) dropped over it. The next sinistral (9) is placed in position and the next dextral (1) dropped over it. Observe that the sinistral (9) passes over the dropped dextral (2). This is continued until the last or lowest dextral (4') is dropped over the last or right sinistral (13). Note also that the sinistrals (8 to 13) have successively passed over the six dextrals (5' to 10'). Two additional triangles have been quickly added to the design by the above procedure. The last sinistral (13) now forms the right boundary of a triangle in a similar way to the sinistral (7) with the first triangle. There is this difference: that the sinistral (13) has crossed only six dextrals instead of seven. The further development of the triangular motive is hence simple. The six dextrals (5'-10') crossed by the bounding sinistral (13)' are all raised by the left hand and the right hand picks up the next six sinistrals, which commence with (14). The alternate dropping of the two series is as before. Commencing with the left sinistral (14), the top dextral (5') is dropped over it while the other five dextrals still are held up. The next sinistral (15) will be dropped and then the next dextral (6') and so on until both series are exhausted. This results in two more triangles. The technique is thus continued across the full width of the sheet and the right edge turned in to comply with it. The left edge is further built and the depth of the sheet secured by additional horizontal lines of alternating checks or twills as suits the craftswoman.

Figure 89.—Wall screen, geometrical pattern:

a, The technique up to this stage is exactly the same as in figure 88, b. Now, however, instead of six, the four lowest dextrals (1'-4') crossed by the bounding sinistral (7) are picked up by the left hand. Instead of six, the right hand picks up the next five sinistrals (8-12). Of the two sets of wefts, the first dropped is of necessity the nearest or left sinistral (8). The order of dropping the dextrals is now reversed to obtain a change in the arrangement of triangles. In the previous figure the top dextral was first dropped and resulted in the line of crossings being horizontal. In the present figure the bottom dextral of the set (4') is first dropped over the first sinistral (8). The next sinistral (9) is next placed in position and the next dextral above (3') dropped over it. Then follow the sinistrals (10 and 11) while the dextrals (2' and 1') are dropped over them respectively. The four dextrals are used up and the fifth sinistral (12) is dropped over them. b, The horizontal line of checks must be disregarded in the figure for the moment. The different order of dropping the dextrals has resulted in a vertical line of crossings which varies the pattern. The four lowest dextral wefts (6'-9') that emerge from under the bounding sinistral (12) are lifted up in the left hand and the next five sinistrals (13-17) are grouped in the right. The two sets are again dropped alternately commencing with the left sinistral (13) and the lowest dextral (9'). This brings us to the right working edge of the figure. Here the four lowest dextrals (11'-14') emerging from below the bounding sinistral (17) are grouped up in the left hand and the next five sinistrals (18-22) are picked up in the right. Commencing with the sinistral (18), the established technique is repeated. So by repetitions of the groupings of 4 lowest dextrals and the next 5 sinistrals, the triangular motive is carried across the sheet. Returning now to the left edge, the turned in dextral (5) makes a check stroke over the sinistral (8). From this a horizontal line of checks is run towards the right over the full width of the plaiting. This defines the field of triangular motives and defines a further series of triangles with the bases upwards. Above the line of horizontal checks the depth of the screen is again secured by horizontal rows of twill or twill and check.

Figure 90.—Wall screen, finishing braid:

a, in position, the sinistral wefts (1-4) incline towards the plaiter and dextral weft (1'-4') away from her. As in this position, dextral and sinistral are not obvious, the defts will be referred to as near (sinistral) and far (dextral) wefts. b, The top far weft (1') is doubled in over the first crossing weft (1) to form the first ply. c, The second near weft (2) is lifted up over both the ' second far weft (2') and the first ply (1') to form the second ply. d, The first far weft (1) is twisted in over the second ply (2) to form the third ply. After the back ply of a pair is twisted over into the middle position, a near weft is added to it when it twists in from the right side of the braid and a far weft when it'. twists in from the left side. They are continued on in the braid plies. e, The ply formed by the weft (1') is the back ply of a pair and it is twisted over into the middle position from the right. f, The next near weft (3) is lifted up on the right side and added to the middle ply (1'). g, The back ply formed by weft (2) is twisted into the middle position" from the left. h, The existing top far weft (2') is added to the middle ply from the left. The natural line of the far weft as it projects beyond the left of the braid is immaterial. It is simply seized and pulled around into position on the middle ply. k, General appearance from the plaiting side. The method now established is continued. There is no confusion so long as the near wefts are picked up in order from the right side of the braid from where it emerges from under the last crossing weft.