The plaited braid starts with a waste knot about 3″ away from where you will start.  To make it easier to work, draw guide lines on the linen.  Use the last post to determine how far apart to put them – based on the size thread you are using. 

Step 1

Come up at A.  A is located along the bottom line a distance that is equal to half of the width between the lines.  Go down halfway between the lines at the beginning (point B) and up again at the upper line (point C).