now continues as before until the desired width of
the mat is attained, when the third corner is turned. The remainder
is woven and finished at the fourth corner as shown by steps 14 and 15.

Some weavers begin at the sides, and some few, even at the corners;
but this should not be encouraged since it results in making two or
more seams, where the straws lap.

Care must be taken to weave all parts of the mat equally close and
keep the edges perfectly straight; otherwise the mat when finished
will be lop-sided, and consequently of no value. In weaving tapering
grasses like tikug, which have ends of slightly different sizes,
the opposite ends of the straws should be alternated. This prevents
one edge of a mat from building faster than the other.

Sawali Weaves.

Simple Sawali.

By sawali weave is meant all "woven in" designs that are not woven
by ones as in the over and under weave. They may be woven regularly
by twos, threes, etc.; or they may "switch" the floating straws so
as to form a variety of artistic figure designs. In fact, there is
no limit to the number of designs that may be thus made.

Steps 1 and 2 illustrate the beginning of a sawali weave by twos. First
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are laid down; then c is put under 1-2, over 3-4, and
under 5; d over 1, under 2-3, and over 4-5; e over 1-2, under 3-4,
and over 5. This process is continued, advancing one straw each time
until the desired amount is woven. If the weaving is by threes or
fours, the same principle is followed; that is, the straw goes over
three and under three, advancing one straw each time.

Panels.

Most "woven in" mat designs are arranged in panels, with a ground
between, as this gives a more pleasing effect than a continuous figure
weaving. Panels may be woven either length-wise (step 8), crosswise
(step 8), diagonally across the mat (step 4), or in zigzags (step
3). They are most easily woven when arranged diagonally, for then the
colors may be carried from border to border without mixing with the
ground outside of the panel. Checks are made by weaving cross panels
at regular intervals.

In making parallel panels (panels parallel either to the sides or
ends), more than two colors can rarely be used to advantage.

Step 3 illustrates the weaving of a zigzag sawali panel. The straws,
a, b, k, and l are woven by ones. It takes twelve straws one way
and nine the other to make this panel. If a wider panel is desired,
the same weaving is