knotted start for pine needle basket

Knotted Start for a Pine Needle Basket adapted by Kathy Awbrey
Have your needles clean and seasoned before beginning. To season: wrap needles in a wet towel and place that in a plastic bag for at least 8 hours. The needles should bend and be able to tie in a knot with out breaking.	Fig. 1
fig 2	Take three sets of needles (in most needles this is 3 needles to a set for a total of 9 needles) and tie a knot in them, near the ends. It works best to have that end be the end with the caps on. Slowly and carefully smooth out the knot as you tighten it. (see fig. 1 and 2)
Tie your sinew or your thread in the bend of the knot. Clip the ends of the needles near the knot even. (see fig. 3)	fig 3
fig 4	Row1 Push the needles down with your fingers. Begin to stitch into the knot going deep enough you have a solid stitch, but not into the center of the knot. Make each stitch about1/8 to 3/8 of an inch apart. It is important to keep your stitching the same distance, and depth apart. With each stitch it is important to keep control of the sinew by holding it tight against the knot with a finger or thumb .Continue to stitch around the knot . See fig. 4
Catch the ends as you go around. Adding Needles Just stick some needles into the middle of ones you have. Add a few more needles every stitch or two. At this time you can turn the knot over and start stitching clockwise, or stay the way you were and go counter/clockwise. You can also add you gauge now if you care to use one.	fig 5

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