220 The Book of Woodcraft 



in on the under side of the stake cords. Thus the bundles 

 are laid one above and one below, until the mat is of the 

 the reqiiired length. The cords are then fastened, the 

 cross-bars removed, and the mat, when dried, makes a 

 fine bed. When added to the willow bed, it is pure lux- 

 ury; but lawful, because made of wildwood material. 



NAVAHO LOOM 



A profitable amusement in camp, is weaving rugs or 

 mats of inner bark, rags, etc., on a rough Navaho loom. 



The crudest kind, one which can be made in an hour is il- 

 lustrated on next page. I have found it quite satisfactory 

 for weaving rough mats or rugs. {A and B) are two trees or 

 posts. (C) is the cross piece. (Z?) is the upper yarn- 

 beam, wrapped its whole length with a spiral cord. (E) is 

 the lower yarn-beam, similarly wrapped. (F F) are stout 

 cords to carry the frame while the warp is being stretched 

 between the yarn-beams. (G G) is a log hung on for 

 weight. {H H) is a round stick fastened between the 

 yarns, odds on one side, evens on the other, to hold the 

 yarns open until the rug is all done, but about one inch 

 when it is drawn out. 



Now with a needle, the yarns or strings for the 

 warp are stretched from one yarn-beam to another, 

 as a continuous string. The exact method is shown 

 on a larger scale in the upper figure (//) The 

 batten or spreader (7) is a piece of light wood two 

 inches wide and one half inch thick, with square edges, 

 but thin sharp- point, and about as long as the yarn 

 beam. 



Now we are ready to begin. Run the batten between 

 the yarns under the sticks {H H) Then drop it to the 

 bottom and turn it flatwise, thus spreading the yarns apart 



