Melanie Wilfong

The 16 strand u2 o2 u2 o2 is to the point where the core has tapered down in size. It looks bad now that the core is smaller. I tried tucking in the back 4 strands (2 on left, 2 on right) leaving a 12 strand with an o2 u2 o2 seq. and it looked bad in back. Would someone tell me how to transition to fewer strands from a 16 strand. My core is about 1/2 the size it was. When I started the circ. was 1.25". I'm working on a quirt. Thanks.

This makes perfect sense. The 16 strand braid is working out very well. I've just gotten to the part where the core tapers down in size, but I've not reduced the strands. It still looks good. I've not found a way to bury strands in the core and still have it look good. Should I just continue all the way w/16 strands? Thank you for the tips.

OK, I'm going to bury the extra strands in the core. I stuck every other strand in the core and continued with u2 o2 (8 strands), but it looked really bad at the transition. Whats the best sequence/way to taper down? Thanks.

Sorry if I missed this explanation posted somewhere. Could somebody tell me how to taper down a braid on 16 strand quirt? When the core gets reduced to 1/2 size do I reduce my braid by 1/2 (every other strand) and have those "whiskers" sticking out? I'm not sure what they're called. Or, should I just continue braid w/all strands. Thank you.

Yes, I was using Grant's formula. Going to try 1.5X. Thank you for that tip.

Thank you, B! I'll try it tonight.

I'm building a quirt and trying to figure out how many/what size strands to go with. I've got a ton of 1/8" roo. The core circumference is 1.25" so if I went with 1/8" lace, I figured that would be 15 strand braid. If I go with that, what is the sequence? I've not braided more than 8 strands. The other option is cut wider lace to make 8 strands work. Please let me know what you think. Also if someone could tell me how to do 15 strand braid that would be helpful. Thank you.

Does anyone have tips for getting a round braid even all the way around? I'm working on a quirt and the back is "spread out" more than the front. When I was practicing the braid was more even. Not sure what I'm doing wrong now that I'm building something. It's an 8-strand.

Thanks CW! I got it. You are right, braiding down is so much easier than weaving each string. Both ends were nice and tight. If anyone is have trouble, just keep practicing and you will get it.

Will someone please tell me what kind of wax to use on rope? Thank you. I googled and searched here but found nothing.

Thank you!! I'll try the dental floss. Just found this link. Maybe it will help somebody else. http://www.scouting....t4-Whipping.pdf http://www.scouting.org.za/resources/pioneering/Whipping.pdf

My rope unravels when I burn the ends. I duct tape cut location, then cut thru the middle. Heat it over flame and roll it around/tap the end. Many times the rope unravels. Sometimes I get a nice tight end. I've heard of hot cutting with a soldering tool that has an exacto blade welded on the end, but I don't really want to build a project just to get rope cut . What am I doing wrong? I don't have this trouble with poly rope. Thanks

Thank you CW. I've learned a lot since posting the question. Went back and read thru Grant's book several times, practiced several times. Read thru the awesome tutorial that is posted on this site. I am practicing the method Grant uses for the nose button. Actually I had better luck getting the top bights tight holding with my thumb as opposed to tying at the top. Tying really got it messed up. Still trying to figure out how many rounds to make around the core. In the book it only shows one round but mine didn't come out right. Out of all the knots, braids I've done, this is the toughest for me. How many times should I wrap around for an 8" nose button? By the way, I'm use leather over rope as opposed to rawhide. I'm copying an old hackamore made with 1/4" leather, so I think 3 strings will work. Core is 1 1/2" circ. The practice button is with 4- 1/8" strings of very thin roo. Don't know if that's part of the problem, but it's just not working out. Maybe my angles are large enough (in other words, it's too straight down if that makes sense). The last one I did everything was nice and tight, but the string on both ends came out UNDER both bights, where left end should finish over, right end finish under. Not sure if this is because I didn't wind around my core correctly. Pain in my rear, but I'm not giving up. Thank you!!!!!!!!!

Thank you. The last 3 rounds of the heel knot were identical; O3U3 until I got I got to the starting point. If I go up to o4/u4, do undo the last two o3/u3 rounds? Hope this makes sense.

Would someone please let me know where I start to add an extension to the heel knot? I tied it using Grant's instructions. The last sequence on the heel knot was O3 U3 O3 U5. Grant's book says with this key the knot may be inreased. I've got a picture which shows a piece of lace poking straight up. Is this where I begin? How many O/U? I think I can figure out the sequence if someone can help me get started. Thanks. Do I just continue on with O4/U4?

Is this a decent cutter? Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuu http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120588563093&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_2192wt_905

For practice braids, I traced a circle and spiral cut the string with shears. Is a wing divider just like a compass, making a circle only? Or, does a wing divider draw the spiral so you get accurate string width? I just eye-balled my 1/8" string from tracing a salad plate on a leather scrap.

These are my first practice back-braid/knots. I'm making a rope bosal, using woven knots for the keepers. My question is should I do a braid like this and put a woven knot on ends of the braid, or should I do a braid with finished ends on each side and just a single woven knot for the headstall keepers? I wondering if a woven knot will stay put over the braid end.

Do you have a price in mind?

I put this question in the wrong spot, originally. Sorry for the duplication. Could someone tell me what knot this is(purple one)? Is it a Turks Head? I can't tell with it pulled that tight. I've got Grant's horse gear and leather braiding as guides. Thanks. http://www.nrsworld....=HORNKNOT!WILLA

Could someone tell me what knot it most similar to this horn knot? I've got Grant's horse gear and leather braiding as guides. Thanks. http://www.nrsworld.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=HORNKNOT!WILLA

Thank you. I kept after it and sure enough, practice makes perfect! I made 3 pineapples today. The three under was messing me up, and now that I know, it's so easy, don't know why it took so long.lol

Thank you. Yeah, why knot both? lol Think I'll get them all. Having a little trouble when I get to the end of pineapple knot. Slight screw up and I've not figured it out yet. I'll keep trying.

The books I'm using are Grant's Leather Braiding and Cowboy Horse Gear. I've had success practicing with those two; ready to build a quirt and hackamore. I'd like to learn more. Which book is better, Ashley book of knots, or Grant's encyclopedia? Which one has easier instructions? I will get both if they are highly recommended, but didn't want to duplicate what I already have. Thanks.