Cant Seem to get the hang of Plait 6

[Des804]

I'm using the book braiding and lacing for fun along with Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather lacing book to try and learn plaiting. I have 4 down easily enough but trying to do 6 and each time I do it it never turns out correctly. I'm following the books instructions of going under 4 and over 2 and the front and back look completly different from each other I was wondering if anyone had any ideas or Tips ( I dont have any photos of the pieces cause I keep disassembling them to try and work them again and get it right )

[Spence]

I'd recommend just starting out with U1, O1 until you get your fingers to work with your brain. Then go to U2, O2, etc. It's been said many times, but practice, practice, practice. That's really the only way. The books you are using are good for getting started. g'luck

[rcsaddles]

I understand that anything more than U2 O2 will be loose and hard to pull tight. I would recommend staying with the U2 O2. A six palit should be around a core. The strand you are working goes around teh back and ends up in the side it started from.

Clear as mud?

Joe

[Des804]

Well the lacing for fun mentions no core the Encyclopedia one mentions that you should use a core... Thing is what do I use for a core with 1/8 plastic lace which is what Im practicing on as getting my brain to work right thats not a problem I can easily follow the under 4 over 2 it just doesnt look like I think it should. If i can figure out what kind of core to use with this thread I'll try that and take some photos it also mentioned a U1O1 Thing in the encyclopedia along with the U4O2.

Also it stated that some things with Plait 6 didn't need cores but yeah Since Overall I am learning this in the long run to do a Plait Style Whip I'll be using cores anyways.

Edited June 22, 2009 by Des804

[jerryrwm]

6 plait will not be U4 O2. It will be U2 O1 or U1 O2. Three strands on each side. Uppermost right strand around back and U2O1, the uppermost left strand around back and U2O1. Repeat until finished. Pull tight as you go, keep the seams straight.

Read the sections on braiding with and without a core again. It will show you how to do 6 plait.

Also 6 plait will result in a whopper-jawed pattern because of the uneven number of strands when doing anything other than U1O1U1 - O1U1O1.

[HorsehairBraider]

Jerryrwm nailed it.

As far as cores go, you can use about anything. I'd try and find some fairly stiff cord, that's pretty thin. Every now and again I've been able to find a nice hard twist cotton cord, that's only about 3 or 4 mm in diameter. Another thing you can use is cheap cotton cord, but braided in the 4-strand. That should give you a lot of practice at the 4-strand! :D

[Des804]

Jerry Im looking at the book itself right now in the Lacing and Braiding for Fun book that is where it states that it is Under 4 over 2 The Encylopedia doesnt have directions for a Coreless one but states the u1 o1 or u2 over 1 setup. Also What is a Lock Jaw pattern if I may ask ?

Also HorseHairbraider I was pondering doing that with the cotton thread I have here I was going to ask later on if it would work. I made a bunch of 4 strand lanyards to the point I can make those in my sleep now lol.

Thanks for the tips guys The fact of the u4 o2 is probably because its going from behind and 3 of those 4 would be on the front part if there was a core and wouldnt be counted.

[jerryrwm]

Des,

I'm not familiar with the Lacing & Braiding For Fun book. But I would recommend using a core especially on anything over 4 plait unless it might be jewelry. It can be sash cord or clothes line rope - anything to fill the gap in the middle while you are practicing. Later use quality material for your core like Horsehairbraider said. And as you get into whip making you will be using leather for the core that you'll need to form yourself.

If you look at Plate 39 in Grant's ERLB (pg 110 & 111) you will see the round braid of six thongs. While it shows it with a core, the sequence is still the same without a core. This is an O1U1O1 one each side.

Then go to Plate 74 (pg 190 & 191) How to build a bullwhip. In the middle of the diagram, figure 12 shows a 6 braid (it's labeled 4 braid). This is again with a core, but the braiding is still the same without a core. This details the sequence as Right - U2O1 Left - U1O2.

If you want to learn to plait like you will in most whips, step up to 8 plait. Then it gives you even numbers and it it U2O2 on each side.

Good Luck and keep at it.

Jerry

[Des804]

Thanks Jerry The Whip I was looking at to make was the one that goes from 12 down to 4 in the Encyclopedia so I'm trying to get up to being able to do all of them up to 12 efficiently. I'll keep working at it.

[LBbyJ]

Good advice from all above, I would only add a couple of things. For a six strand braid I'd use a core of 4 mm or less or else the braid doesn't cover it very well. I do make lots of bracelets without cores as well as other things it just takes practice.

There are three different 6 strand (plaits) braids:

Easy Six U2 O1, U1 O2

Six the hard way U1 O1 U1 going both direction. (Lots of finger work that's why I call it hard)

Half Round U2, O1 going both directions.

I use the easy six without a core, seems to round a little easier or at least that's what works for me.

Keep practicing, John