KnotHead
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Everything posted by KnotHead
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Well generally the only times you would be using a fid is either to tighten the knot, or when you're doing fid work like the Argentine braiders do. There is really no special technique to using a fid. There are different sized fids for different sized projects and different types of projects. Like Tracy said above, It really is a matter of individual preference.Like with me, I am used to using lacing needles and the fid. I find that in using horse hide lace; I tend to use the fid more so than a lacing needle. Simply because the lace at the working end is usually dry enough to push through the work after lifting the area that the working end will go through. That's just me though. Others have their own preference as you will discover here. I can only speak for me though. You will discover as you braid just what you like and don't like. That only comes with time and practice. Best regards, Brian...
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I have hit that same thing many times myself. Like others here that braid, we all have hit that mistake. It's not how upset you get with the mistake, but even more is how much you learn from that mistake. Braiding is like anything else. Learn from your mistakes and carry on. I understand the frustration. But at the same time I know myself that frustration does not fix the mistake. I use hemostats in my braiding and start and end with my right hand, or left hand depending on the braid I am doing. I always like to start and end with more strands on one side, or the other depending the braid. Finding you nitch is what the learning process in braiding is all about. Remember, it's about quality, not quantity. Best regards, Brian...
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I think that the 8 bights would be enough. But if you want to try out the 10 bight it wont hurt. It'll just be time consuming is all. The pattern will remain the same. You passes at the top inside the interweave will be going toward the center of the knot and the bottom will be going toward the outside of the interweaves bight structure. 3 passes will = Over 3, Under 3; 4 passes will = Over 4, Under 4. All you have to do is watch for the paired up tracks and split those tracks as you go. Brian...
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You should go back to the base turks head you started with. You need to increase your passes on the base turks head, or casa knot by about 2 more turns. Then go from there and see what you end up with. Braid a little looser than you are so you have room to put in the passes in the final runs for the heel knot. Brian...
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To prevent that frayed out edge like you're getting, you will have to split the strands thickness down to a point where when you shove the working end through the slotted hole, the slot does not take the edge off the lace. Beveling helps a bunch. This will let the lace lay down flat on top of each other giving it a more defined look to the pattern. Or, You might consider using a punch to make a round hole for the thickness of the lace to pass through the hole without getting that top edge shaving like you are. Brian...
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Ron Edwards - Most usable books: Round Braids, Turks Heads. He has all kinds of books on plaiting. The best ones are Plaiting Whip Handles, and Plaiting Whip Handle Designs. These books will teach you the foundations to braiding round braids and flat braids. Tom Hall - Introduction to Turks Heads: The best book around for learning all about turks heads and the interweaves involved. More Western Tack Tips: Very good all around braiding book. Bruce Grant - The Encyclopedia of Leather Braiding. Very good book also. I recommend all of the above books to have in your library. With just those 3 books, you'll get a great start and be learning for years and you will always be able to go back to them for reference. Brian...
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The ends on the necklace, I bought from an ebay store out of china. Yep I know. But it would seem that there is no place here in the states that sells them in bulk for the price I got the Mag Clasps from. The other ends are from my local bead store, they are sterling silver. Those mag clasps do have a very strong magnet in them and are good quality unlike some of the stuff you find from China. The pendant finding is also from my local bead store, also in sterling silver. The cross belonged to the customer. The cross is Black Coral. I bought like 40 of those mag clasps from that shop on ebay. I figured the price was good and it takes about 3 weeks to get to the USA. I needed a supply of them so when I order them again I have some left over during the wait time for delivery. But I am also in the hunt for some slender type mag clasps similar to the ones I used on that necklace. The ones I'm after are more lower profile and have a deeper magnet inside the metal used. Brian...
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This one was for the own of the local coffee drinkin hole I go to. She ordered the necklace and provided the cross. An interesting story behind the cross too. That cross is made from Black Coral. That stuff is illegal to pick while still alive. The only way you can get it is by getting it off the sea bed floor when dead. Mostly a tropical coral that only grows so many centimeters per year.
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I don't mind getting my hides a bit quicker. But I do mind the quality. I don't do whip braiding much. As a matter of fact I have never braided a whip yet. But I do a lot of micro braiding up to dog leash braiding. Most of that kind of braiding requires the hide to be consistent. If I get a really nice hide and the hide is a bit thicker than what I want, I have a splitter that I can use. Even with the hides I have now, the micro braiding I do still requires me to split the strand before I bevel. So getting a thicker hide really for me what make much of a difference. That midwest whips and hardkey and Taubman & Webb seem to be the best in hides. I will use all three when I have more money to throw at them. LOL... I need to play and win the Lotto. LOL... Brian...
