oval 6 plait question

[gbsbullet]

Hello, I am kind of new to the art of braiding and therefore, still come across many things I don't understand. So, please help if you can.

I was braiding a 6 strand round braid to create a bit hobble.

When I started it was round but after about 2" it became oval and stayed that way until the end no matter how much I tightend or loosen'd my braid. I have braided quite a few 6 strand round braids before but have never had this happen. I was able to roll some of it out (making it round) but it still looks funny and uneven when you rotate it.

If anyone can give me some suggestions to avoid this or an explination why it happened I would be very thankful.

[HorsehairBraider]

What sequence did you use? Usually a braid becomes oval because of an uneven number in the sequence - such as, for example, a sequence of over one, under two.

To prevent this use a core.

I would think for a bit hobble it is no big deal. I would say, make it and move on!

[rawhide1]

bullet

I would ethier go o1,u1,o1 on the 6 strand or use a 4 or 8 strand braid. The 8 will be square without a core but you should be able to roll it to where it's round. I only braided 6 strands once and it came out half round which worked pretty cool as it was for a hat band. I cant remember if I went u2,o1 or u1,o2 anyway it was half round. I found that when I braid bit hobbles (curb straps) a 4 strand braid works good.

Mike

[gbsbullet]

What sequence did you use? Usually a braid becomes oval because of an uneven number in the sequence - such as, for example, a sequence of over one, under two.

To prevent this use a core.

I would think for a bit hobble it is no big deal. I would say, make it and move on!

When I braided it I used a o1 u1 o1 and I am pretty sure I didn't mess up the pattern however I will go back over and take a look. Thanks for the input

bullet

I would ethier go o1,u1,o1 on the 6 strand or use a 4 or 8 strand braid. The 8 will be square without a core but you should be able to roll it to where it's round. I only braided 6 strands once and it came out half round which worked pretty cool as it was for a hat band. I cant remember if I went u2,o1 or u1,o2 anyway it was half round. I found that when I braid bit hobbles (curb straps) a 4 strand braid works good.

Mike

Mike,

When you braided yours about how long did you make each individual finished strand? I kinda guessed instead of meassuring everything out and went with about 16" or so but am starting to wonder if that was too sort. what do you think?

thanks for the posts

[rawhide1]

bullet

What style of bit hobble are ya building. I made the style out of Bruce Grants book. Which my two finished braids were about 16" each. So I cut my strands 24" I found I don't lose a lot when braiding four without a core. If your building the kind without the hangly dangly below ya my be alright. Ya should wind up with about 10 to 11" of finished braid. I reckon it just depends on the style your building. And heck if ya find it's to short ya can always turn it into a bracelet or something. Let us know how it turns out.

Mike

Sorry I just reread if ya have 16" of finished braid ya should be in good shape.

Edited March 22, 2009 by rawhide1

[gbsbullet]

bullet

What style of bit hobble are ya building. I made the style out of Bruce Grants book. Which my two finished braids were about 16" each. So I cut my strands 24" I found I don't lose a lot when braiding four without a core. If your building the kind without the hangly dangly below ya my be alright. Ya should wind up with about 10 to 11" of finished braid. I reckon it just depends on the style your building. And heck if ya find it's to short ya can always turn it into a bracelet or something. Let us know how it turns out.

Mike

Sorry I just reread if ya have 16" of finished braid ya should be in good shape.

Mike,

Really appreciate the information, Thanks so much and I'll let you know how it goes.

Garrett

[LBbyJ]

Couple of things can cause this, but usually you can roll it out to be round. The strands could be a different thickness or sometimes a strand or two will be stretchy and be thinner then the rest. Are you tying off an end so you can keep tension on the piece as you braid it?

I'm tending to braid around cores lately since anything over a 6 strand braid tends to oval or flatten, just the way it is.

Hope you figured it out!!