entiendo

I wonder if you are making the same mistake I did with the gaucho interweave. I spent days and days on a quirt handle and I couldn't split the parallels. It made me crazy. Once you extend the foundation knot on a gaucho it changes a little. If you look at the smaller versions in the romel reins book you will see the pattern is a little different. Now if this isn't the trouble you are having, then I'm at a loss. A picture might help someone figure out where your problem is.

That would be great. Sometimes those kinds of things are difficult to find on line.

Thanks! I have Gail's book (all of them actually) but I wanted a little more input. She's not always right on with lengths for me. 450', not nearly as much as I thought. Wonder how much I get out of a average size hide. I've actually never measured. I think I'm going to measure the next hide! Only I usually don't cute my string any wider than 3/32. Most people seem to like the smaller string, even in 4 plait. I had a website for round core but I lost it. It was a good site too. I'll check yours out, Thanks again. Thanks! I have Gail's book (all of them actually) but I wanted a little more input. She's not always right on with lengths for me. 450', not nearly as much as I thought. Wonder how much I get out of a average size hide. I've actually never measured. I think I'm going to measure the next hide! Only I usually don't cute my string any wider than 3/32. Most people seem to like the smaller string, even in 4 plait. I had a website for round core but I lost it. It was a good site too. I'll check yours out, Thanks again.

So if I were to make a set of romel reins out of roo how many hides should I expect to use, for either an 8 plait or 12 plait with plenty of buttons. I guess I shouldn't ask about time because we all work at different paces but has anyone logged in the time it took to get a set done? Finally, what is usually used as a core? The thought of making a set of romel reins is a bit intimidating to me, particularly 12 plait, but maybe if I had these questions answered I could think about doing a pair.

Sorry it took so long, here's my lanyard.

I actually use that landyard every day, but I can't do pictures right now, I'll try and do it tonight. However I did show a terminal knot to another braider via online so I posted the directions on my photobucket page. Disregard the core part of it though, it was a different project. If you are joining 2 4 plaits you will have 2 strings at each section. If you are joining 2 8 plaits (and that's what my lanyard is because I don't like 4 plait and keys around my neck) you have 4 strings at each part of the square knot and it can be a little tricky. I kind of twist them together a little. I'm not sure when I attached the snap. You might have to get more advise there or play with it yourself. Oh...what about closing it off like you would close a bosal? Just came to me. I make little key chain bosals and attach a little D ring when I flip the string under and through the Spanish ring, then cover with a heal knot. I'm pretty sure there is bosal instructions here somewhere. You would just do it on a smaller scale. I bet that's the best way! I'll still post the terminal knot instructions anyway. http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd131/entiendo12345/Terminal%20Knot/

Wow!!! wow wow wow!!! You've turned into a great rawhide braider.

Do you know how to do a terminal knot? That's what I would do, and have done.<br><br>We posted at the same time! You do know how to do a terminal knot. I just connect the ends with a terminal knot and weave the snap in the terminal knot and finally cover with a herringbone. <br>

Oh well, it's still lovely!

Can this club actually be used? It's lovely of course so I asked my husband if he wanted me to do one for him and he said the leather handle wouldn't work. Love it as always!!!

Cute cute cute...LOVE it!

Yes! They are coated. I've had pink and turquoise too. I'll try that next time. I actually have a pink one to make a bridle with. Yes a pink bridle. I do try not to get them much though, I worry that the color will come off if you use them on everyday pieces that are used a lot. Have you had any trouble with that? Do they take extra care?

On this size of plaiting there really isn't any problem with the buttons sliding so they are just tightened. The change in plaiting also offers some security as well because the leather isn't completely smooth. Longer knots are also not as prone to movement. 4 plait can be a problem with sliding buttons; however, you can slide your lace through the plaiting before making the knot. You can also interupt the actual plaiting with a terminal knot. I'm sure there are other ways I haven't thought of.

Just some more gee whiz information that I've figured out. Finished hides, like the kind that are kind of coated and not dyed all the way through are wicked tough on my blades. I've actually given up on them in a way. I bevel the reverse side and split the string. That seems to save my blades a bit. I think it's the finish that ruins the blades. I don't even use chrome tanned anymore. I'd rather not braid with it and it's hard on my blades. I've only done drum stuffed once and it's like cutting butter! Just wonderful! But the hides are darker and I really would rather have my hides lighter, but that's just me. Plain old veg tanned hides, naturally dyed all the way through, are what I use most of and aren't to bad to cut.

I love how we all come up with little ways to change things up. I would have never thought of a button on the end of the loop! Nice touch. That's one big snap. I like how you covered the snap too, another brilliant idea.

Thanks Bevan!!

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=21136 The above link, and I used Leatheroo's picture.

Yes! I've used this same knot on key chains and 4 plait bracelets and it holds well.

Thanks!! Someone here posted a real simple way to transition. I swear if it wasn't for the core needed for the 8 plait I wouldn't have had to use the gaucho button to cover it at all, unless I wanted to of course. Actually it's not tight at all. It fits me perfectly. Maybe it's my old hand that makes it look that way...LOL. I like using my daughter to model the bracelets that need it but she wasn't around. LOL

Here's another alamar type bracelet I made up. I like this one even better than 2 4 plaits, but of course it's more complicated than 2 4 plaits.

Love it! Does the gaucho braid need to have a core to stay round? Your braid is so slender it almost looks like you don't have a core. I love the pattern as well!

Well I look forward to seeing your notes!

Beautiful!!! I love the "T" and could have used it last week. I wasn't aware something like that existed!

My last two whiskey veg tanned roo hides have been drum stuffed. I LOVE working with them. They are so easy on my blades! They are wonderful in every way for what I do....except they are really dark. My customers really like the lighter whiskey hide. It seems everyone wants black and whiskey plaited headstalls and they don't get the contrast they like with the drum stuffed. However when you are talking bridles the dry whiskey will darken in a short time anyway, might as well have it all oiled up. LOL I'm trying to get a natural drum stuffed right now, I bet that's wonderful and will look great with black. I'm hoping they will like that too.

I can't find a thing wrong with any of your work. I love it! And I still do a lot of my buttons like you described for me. I still can't get over what a difference it makes. I also love that you are making a floppy hackamore. I'm not crazy about the rawhide cores in most of the traditional hacks. Did you ever get that bridle made you were asking about?