entiendo

I have no idea why those codes are in my post. I tried to fix it but kept making it worse.

Here is a commissioned bridle I think turned out quite nice and wanted to share. <br><br>The alamar knot browband was my friend Robin's idea. She's also a member here, but new to braiding. This is the second time I've used the knot, but I did it slightly different on each bridle. <br><br><br><br>

You'd think I wouldn't make the same mistake over and over following the wrong string. I was worried I was loosing my mind so I stayed up half the night trying to figure it out and I finally got the button done. I kept coming back on my standing string the first time around so I just went under past the starting point and I made it work.<br><br>Thanks for your suggestions.<br>

I've done this second interweave color many times. I even got to the point where I didn't have to think about it much and could still do it, but I lost it?? Not sure where it went. I've been working on this whiskey interweave for no less than 3 hours and have gone through 3 whiskey strings trying to relearn! How's that for stubborn? I keep thinking.."this time I'm going to get it, it's not that hard, I've done it before." But it's not working. So clue me in, please, what am I doing wrong? It has to be some little thing I've forgot about.

WOW...that is a lot of extra work!!! LOL But you are right, the results are beautiful. Your braiding is smooth and lovely but your perfect buttons set you apart! I can make 4 bite buttons that round but not 6. I imagine to get a look that smooth and perfect I will need to figure out how to use that new splitter I bought that is sitting in my work drawer. One more thing though the reverse second interweave, does that just mean you started on the opposite side as your standing string?

KAW, your work is flawless. Care to share any secrets?

I like Gail Hought's books myself.

How do you make those herringbone buttons so perfectly round?

Thanks Opagon. 8th sinner, it really isn't an alamar knot, strictly speaking. I pulled the top loop so it could be used as the loop end of the clasp. Then where the ends hang down I put them together and added my herringbone end knot. In case you aren't familiar with the alamar it's tradition to tie this knot around the neck of a finished bridle horse. I just love this knot, it's so pretty, but if you know of other knots I could play around with I'd love to hear about them. I'm going to enclose a picture of a real alamar knot.

Yesterday I went looking for the file again and found it, but it's in PDF format and I don't know how to post a PDF file. Send me a PM and I will send you the files directly or just do a search for 8 plait edge braid and Part 1 is one of the first things that comes up on a Google search. It's from an outdoor magazine of some kind, I can't remember the name right off hand. Part 2 is further down the page on Google, but they are both easy to find.

Just what you have there but a 4 plait instead of a 6 and a long pineapple for centerpiece w/a Spanish ring or 4 bite gaucho on either side of the pineapple. This is a very popular style and the 4 plait is great for lady's wrists.

Thanks Rawhide! I know what kind of braid that is, it's the same one that I cover a ring with. In fact I still have (and use) rawhide1's directions for that particular braid because I couldn't figure it out from Grant's book....Thanks. Although, I do think I like the 8 plait braid a bit better. It's like it has plaiting right along the edge. One of my pouches has the 8 plait edge braid done with the holes wider apart. I thought I would like it a bit more loose as well but I don't really, it's still nice though. If I could change something about this pouch I would want the string split and a better way to pound it so the plaiting lays smoother. I used a rolling pin but a hammer handle still works better. One of my customers that does jewelry sent me a tiny little ruler so I can measure .8mm, so I'm one step closer to putting that splitter to use.

Where do I find instructions for that kind of braid. This is the only one I could find. It's called an 8 plait braid, but it looks more like an 6 plait to me.<br><br>Oh, and it might look a little heavy because this is the hide that convinced me I needed a splitter and those strings aren't split. It's got to be right at 1 mm thick. <br><br><br>

Here's one mine...well kind of. I was looking for a way to make an alamar knot key chain and came up with a design similar to this bracelet. I thought I was so clever...LOL, until I was on ebay looking at something and happened to run into a horse hair key chain very similar to my key chain. Everything has been done before I guess. This isn't really an alamar knot, more like a Celtic knot, but it's more balanced than the alamar knot bracelets. I have a couple of others that include a full alamar knot if you like. Of course not everyone likes knots. If I remember correctly you use rawhide for the most part?? If that's the case you can order a bit of roo string and make it an interweave color. That would be nice.

I did this project as a fun and unique Christmas gift for a few friends and family. It's a kangaroo scrotum pouch. They are a HUGE hit! I actually had 5 orders that I can't fill because I don't have any more pouches. This picture is actually the best one of the 3 I made. I'd never done an edge braid so it took me a couple of tries to get the look I wanted.

Well I don't know what you should do but your braiding has come so far I can't help but to tell you how nice everything looks. Well maybe I should suggest something...Leave it!! It's beautiful. If it's not perfect you make the improvements on the next one.

I think I got the one you recommended spence. I haven't had a chance to work with it yet. I still have to make a strop too.<br><br>I LOVE my cutter and beveler...couldn't live without it. <br>

Now I have to learn how to use it. LOL. I got the hand held splitter. Any pointers before I play around with it?

I'm so glad you are here. Keep at it and we can talk braiding! Can't wait!

I found him, thanks. If fact I just asked him to send me a bill.

I see, thanks

Can I ask how you calculate the width of string you will end up with after stretching? For example, I cut all my string from a spiral I've cut from the hide. I stretch just before I cut a piece of lace off. But I couldn't imagine cutting a piece of lace and then stretching it. Doesn't that alter the width of the string? I do use a lace maker on my scraps. But I cut it very wide, stretch the string, cut again with my cutter to 1/8", and then finally bevel it. Usually the scraps aren't as strong and nice so I rarely cut that lace 3/32". But I cut the lace twice when I use the lacemaker.

For 4 strands I don't even double it. I make double 4 strand bracelets all the time and I use 25" of string. That gives me about 15" of 4 plait round braid.

That's good to know, thanks spence. I'll go check it out.

Yeah I poked around at splitters a little. I'm a little afraid of a hand held one because I couldn't make a hand held stringer work for me at all. The aussie strander had me so frustrated! Anyways, by request here is the lead I made that lead to the original question.