I'm pulling my hair out again...

[entiendo]

I need to cover a ring, I haven't done this yet and I'm sure it's way over do. I've got Bruce Grant's "How to make Cowboy Gear" and I cannot follow the instructions to save my life! Don't get it, don't get it, can anyone help?

[HorsehairBraider]

Well, for me anyway, you would have to explain a lot more what it is you don't get. Can you do 2-loop Spanish edge braiding on leather? If you don't know how to do that, maybe try that first. It's exactly the same thing except there's no leather and no holes, which I guess could be confusing.

[entiendo]

no I don't know how to do it on leather either.

[Luke Hatley]

if you are close to a Tandy Store there is a small lo cost book that will

be very benifical to you, to teach you how to lace the double loop..

[rawhide1]

entiendo

Here are a few pictures. I left the braid loose so maybe you can see better. Once you get started just keep going over two and then thru the ring and then under the X. I'm on duty tomorrow so it will be Mon. before I can take pics of how to finish it. If you need help on that part. Hope this helps if not we'll try something different.

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[entiendo]

You rock Rawhide!!! I think I have it. I was doing it correctly until the over 2, through the ring, and then through the X. I wasn't making a full loop around the ring. I haven't tried to end it yet. Hopefully I can make better use out of the finishing instructions. I've been sick today so only my determination got me this far.

[rawhide1]

entiendo

Glad to help.

Mike

[entiendo]

Luke...I'm not close to a Tandy store, but wouldn't they sell it on their website as well?? Is that all it shows? Eventually I would like to learn how to lace 4 plait round braids together to make a lovely flat braid. I'm not a big fan of the flat braid but I could see lots of potential if I could put 4 plaits together.

Thanks again Rawhide, I would have been driven to tears had I not had your pictures. Question though, I'm guessing you tighten as you go rather than tighten after it's done? I tried to tighten one I made last night and it was quite difficult to follow the string, of course my first mistake was using a chrome tanned hide. I wanted it white and the only white I have is chrome tanned, but my second choice was my veg tanned purple and that's much nicer to work with.

And do you pound this to finish it? Does it smooth out at all or is it used "as is"? It can't be rolled of course.

[entiendo]

I'd like to see how you finish yours rawhide. I think I did it right but I still stuck my ends under 3 before clipping them, which changed the look just a tad.

[rawhide1]

entiendo

Sorry not to get this posted sooner. Here are some pics of finishing it. I used a different color of roo and it's a little smaller. So it doesn't look as nice as if I had stayed with the black. But I thought you follow it a little easier.

Hope this helps

Mike