Tracym

I think a rein knot might be the 4-strand ring knots. So maybe I'm already using the ones knothead suggested. I will have to look into that plumbers putty though - I saw that technique on the video TXAG suggested, looked perfect for what I want to do.

Wow, I never had any problem with Springfield shipping, they're usually pretty fast when I order something. Sorry you had bad luck. If a color is particularly stiff, I used Lexol on it, didn't braid it when real wet.

I'd love to hear ideas about foundation knots also - for sliding ones, I'd like it to come out round, like a ball - so far I used ring knots, which would then need to be built up with waxed cord, or that epoxy you showed me. I am wondering though, for ones that I'd like to stay relatively flat, how to anchor them to the braid so they can't move, even under some stress.

What a great idea, that would probably be perfect for my sliding knots. I'll have to try that. Now, I just need to figure out an easy knot to put as a foundation, that would be as round as possible. I've just used ring knots, or a ring knot with a turkshead over it, but I would like to try to streamline the process so I can just make one knot if possible. And omg, that tiny fiddly string he's using - I'd sure need that contraption on his head if I tried that!

Thanks, I'll check out that video. I didn't use any pins, but did use the mandrel. I wouldn't say mine was tight after adding the interweave, but I deliberately kept it a bit loose. I wanted it to become basically a ball, but it 'behaved' quite well moving and then being tightened into that shape. I was careful with the tightening though - actually tightened it a bit one pass, then went through again and made it actually tight.

That does make sense, thank you

Thanks everyone. This isn't my first lead, just first fancy knot. And 2nd burner If anyone has any suggestions for improvement, please feel free.

Thanks very much.

I'm finally showing something I've done - folks on this forum have been invaluable to me, helping me figure out to do this stuff. So here's my show lead. Made to match the jacket (fabric shown). I've got a burner on it, and my first ever fancy knot - a 11 bight gaucho knot over a turks head. The knot isn't perfect, I wanted it rounder, but it'll do for a first attempt. That knot slides - so when the lead is over the dog's neck, I can slide the knot up to keep it in place. And it's going on my show dog tomorrow - hope it brings us luck. The name of this one is "Cheetah". Only thing I haven't done is, I would like to cover the back braiding. Still deciding how to do that - Brian's braid, or maybe a long pineapple knot. I need to keep it think, I cannot have a lot of bulk especially at the end on the dog.

Thanks. Yeah, I was thinking of writing down the pattern also. Although once I had the first bit, it was easy to see the logic of the progression

Thank you. I really am excited - this has eluded me for quite a while, and suddenly 'clicked' today. I really look forward to learning some different variations next. I could see the pattern easily, once I got started. I needed to get that first step - which the video provided. I did follow the video, but it was obvious once I got going. At least I think so haha, we'll see if I can do it again.

*happy dance* I did it! Right as I run out of string too. Yay! Thanks all for the help. I suppose I didn't make my life easier by learning on 1/16" kangaroo, but hey, that's what I needed to use. Now, to get the critter relocated to where it needs to be and tightened up - s/b another adventure.

Thanks. They do look like good videos. I'm still not sure how many l (part?) I have, but I know its 6 bight. Fingers crossed

Maybe one of those videos is it - he's calling it 11 bight.. I'm going to try

I can see how its done, on a 4 bight one. But I couldn't figure out how to adapt it to the 6b. The pattern I saw on the 4 bight some something like under 1, over 1, under 1, over 2 - then under 1 over 1 under 2 over 2 - then under 1 over 2 under 2 over 2. But the problem I have is, I have more strands to start with, so can't figure out how to adapt that. Since I have found one knot I can manage to make, I was hoping to exand on that instead of starting over. Plus, haha, I'm trying to finish the dumb knot so I can use it tomorrow - nothing like a little time deadline for inspiration...

I think it's a miracle, after many failed attempts, I finally achieved a turks head. I think the instructions I used were from Gail Haught. So I have a 6 bight Turks head. But, it isn't big enough for the sliding knot I need, I want to put another one over the top of it. I was thinking of using another 6 bight with an interweave - that should make it big enough to cover the first one, right? I guess I like the gaucho interweave, although I'm not too picky now - but all the instructions I can find are for a 4 bight. Can anyone point me to some instructions, or give me a pattern? I seem to be able to understand the over 1 under 2 sort of thing, but I don't see to do as well with the grids. Thanks! (oooh and this knot stuff can become addictive, I can tell)

Thank you yet again. That fid bit is going to be interesting for me to figure out, I am such a novice at this sort of thing. Well I can make a nice 4-strand braid and a few knots, but the rest of this is a challenge. Well it is very pretty

That is SO kind of you to go to the trouble to put up such detailed instructions. Just a few questions - you say two 4-strand round braids, then you end up with 16 strands? Wouldn't it have to be 2 8-strand braids to equal 16? Is that the same method you used on the one with the red - just quite a bit less of the two round braids? And finally, what is "Employ the Fid work style finish"? Thanks so much for you help, I am satisfied with my actual braiding now and am looking to upgrade adding some fancier stuff.

I am also trying to figure out something to cover the back braiding without being too thick. The larger decorative stuff is fine on a leash like yours (and lovely) but I make some that are a slip lead - go around the dog's neck and through a loop at the end. A bulky thing there would be a problem I think. I was hoping perhaps just a braid like yours might not be too large.

Thanks!

I have the y-knot smaller beveler. No, it does not have a 90 degree. Sigh. If I didn't have that one, I'd just buy the one I showed above from y-knot and be done with it. I already contacted Midwest about the Dene Williams splitter, he had surgery and isn't making any more until the new year. So I am on the list for that. Cutting my own lace - well I am resisting that haha. I am not very high volume, and everyone wants a different color. So for now, the spool lace is working for me, I'm just trying to find some ways to make it easier, and a little bit better. Thanks for all the help.

Well I can't spare that much hair either You recommend any tools in particular?

I would intend to bevel after I cut, and I already have a beveler - would it work to do the aussie strander for width, then bevel? Or would I just be better off with the y-knot tool even though its more of an expense?

Y-Knot has this one - if I didn't already have a beveler I suppose I'd probably just get this. Still might, but I was hoping there might be a less expensive answer http://y-knotlace.com/yknot-store:21568/show/id:62162/

I still am using the spool kangaroo lace, especially from Y-Knot I find the color selection very nice and the quality pretty good. I bought 1/16 in a couple colors to do knots. But ideally I'd like to be able to cut down whatever color of lace I already have. Would the little Aussie Strander work for that? Or can anyone recommend a tool that won't break the bank? I don't seem to be very good at constructing homemade ones, so if I can buy something that isn't too expensive, I'd probably prefer that. I have the y-knot beveler, and will probably eventually buy some sort of splitter in the future.