Figure 30. Keel commencement of tapakau mat, a, three strips of coconut or lauhala commence three-ply braid; when short length established, wefts added on either side after back ply is twisted over into middle position; thus when ply (1) twisted over into position from right, weft (4) from bundle on right is added to it, its midrib strip (4′) being placed proximally to lie on ply; back ply (2) then twisted over it from left, and weft (5) from left bundle added to it with its midrib strip lying on ply; all closed wefts added with their own midrib edges distal to worker, b, wefts added alternately on either side; thus weft 13 has been added from left to ply 1, weft 14 from right to ply 2, and ply 3 twisted into middle position to await addition of weft from left; in close addition of wefts, braid does not show on upper surface; fibrous midrib strips of wefts continue in braid for their entire length, and as earlier ones give out later additions continue plies, c, required length attained; braid plies continued on as free tail (6), finished off with overhand knot (7); in type mat, length of weft-bearing part of braid is 45 inches and both commencing and finishing free tails, 2.5 inches, d, under surface, braid stands out as contrasted with upper surface c.