(Mishnah): Shortly before dark on Erev Shabbos, a tailor may not go outside with his needle (it informs people that he is a tailor), nor a scribe with his quill, lest he forget and come to carry it on Shabbos;

[On Shabbos] one may not delouse clothing nor read by light of a lamp;

In truth, they said that a teacher of children may see where they are reading [by light of a lamp], but he himself may not read.

Similarly, a Zav may not eat with a Zavah lest they come to have relations. (This will be explained.)

(Gemara - Beraisa): A tailor may not go outside with his needle in his garment, and not a scribe with his quill on his ear, not a dyer with a sample on his ear, and not a moneychanger with a coin on his ear. If [one of these] went out like this, he is exempt. R. Meir says so;

R. Yehudah says, if a professional went out like the way of his trade, he is liable.

Inference: If anyone else goes out like this, he is exempt.

Contradiction: R. Meir contradicts himself! A Mishnah (below, 6:3) says that if [a woman] went out [with a needle with a hole], she is Chayav Chatas; R. Meir says so. Here he says so (even a professional is exempt)!

Answer (R. Mana, and R. Avin citing R. Yochanan): It is normal for women to take things outside like this. However, here, Tefeilin (subordinates) go out like this. (SEFAS EMES 11b DH b'Tosfos - tailors are a minority. They are Batel to the majority. Women are a nation unto themselves, and it is normal for all of them.)

Contradiction: Rabanan contradict themselves! [The Seifa of that] Mishnah teaches that Chachamim exempt [one who goes out] with Koveles (spices bound together) or a flask of [fragrant] balsam oil. This implies that [they agree to R. Meir that] for a needle with a hole, she is Chayav. Here, they hold that [only] a professional like his trade is liable!

Answer (R. Yosi bar Avin): [That Mishnah discusses] a woman who braids (she is like a professional).