very end.
Start the new piece a few warp threads back, being careful to go over
and under exactly the _same_ warp threads as you did when finishing the
end. As you pass these threads you will find that you are taking up the
right warp threads, and that no mistake has been made. It is best to run
the threads past each other in the _middle_ of the mat rather than on
the _sides_. The children learn this method of splicing very quickly and
the result is much more satisfactory than knotting, because the back of
the rug or mat will be smooth. As Mrs. Wiggin says: "There should never
be a wrong side to work any more than there should be to folks."

[Sidenote: _Silkoline, cheese cloth, rags_]

[Sidenote: _Candle-wicking, chenille, and macreme cord_]

In splicing such materials as silkoline, rags, candle-wicking, chenille,
and macreme cord, lay the end of one piece over another, each lapping
about one-quarter inch, and sew securely with silk or thread of like
color. Cut off the selvedge ends of rags. These strips can be run past
each other, but the work will not be so smooth.

[Sidenote: _Germantown wool, heavy worsteds, and rope silk_]

In splicing Germantown wool, heavy worsteds, or rope silk, thread a
worsted needle with one strand obtained by unwinding the wool or silk,
lay one end over the other, and sew over and over. Twist the part just
sewn between the thumb and finger and the splicing will be hardly
visible.

When weaving stripes, splice the wool so that the piecing will come on
top of the rod. In this way the new color will start at the edge of the
rug, as it should, and the number of loops on the rod will be the same
on each side. Consider the _under_ side of the weaving as the _right_
side. It is always smoother and cleaner, and the splicing can be done
more neatly on top of the rod.

[Sidenote: _Raffia_]

Splicing raffia is the most difficult of all, and the method used in
braiding and basket weaving is the best. As you near the end of a strip
in weaving it usually becomes narrower. Find another strip having a
narrow end, and place one over the other, securing, if necessary, by
winding a very narrow piece--just a thread torn from a long piece--and
fastening this by sewing a few times over and over. Or, the two narrow
ends may be run past each other, as in carpet ravelings. Care should be
taken to have the splicing the same width as the other parts of the
weaving, so that the spliced parts will not be notice