help ending a four part round braid

[bryanma71]

First things first...I'm new here and would like to say hi to all. I've been reading the forums and can only say: "WOW". I don't think ther is a limit to what I can learn from the professionals on this site. THANK YOU for all the information.

Now to my problem: I have been braiding a few braclets with the four part round braid and a core out of copper wire. I usually end them with a foot rope knot and a turks head knot bellow that.

I would like to know if anyone can tell me how to finish the braid by weaving the ends back covering the wire core and making a nice roud end with out a knot. I have seen a picture of a lasso that was ended like this. I would greatly appriecent a Tutorial on how to do it.

Thanks

Edited September 10, 2009 by bryanma71

[rawhide1]

bryanma71

First of all I'd like to welcome ya to a great place! It's always nice to see new braiders!

Now to your problem. Since no one else has chimed in I'll give it a go. I think what ya want to do is back braid. I'm not to sure as how to explain this but here goes. When ya get to the end of your braid you'll want to take a strand and fold it over the end of your copper and continue doing this with the other three strands. So that they all have a strand over the top of each other. So now you should have the four strands facing down and spaced evenly around the the braid. Next start back braiding by taking the strand thats holding the others down. With that strand find a strand in your braid to follow back down. Do this with all the strands. When your done roll it real well. Thats how I see it in my head any way! If I get some time in the next few days I'll try to do it and take some pictures.

Hopefully someone else will come along and give a better answer. Or please correct me if I'm wrong.

Good Luck, Mike

[Alan Bell]

Actually, I think you saw a rope braided out of 2 strands middled and then the braid is made of the 4 ends. Take 2 strands twice as long and middle them then cross the middles on over the other. Now you have made your 2 strands into 4. Braid on from there and at the other end you can take the 4 ends and crown each one over the other (like those plastic lanyards and key chains from grade school) and the wall them or go up under the "x"'s made from crowning so all 4 strands come out of the top of your new knot. This will terminate the end (hence the mane 'terminal knot') and if you wanted you could cover that terminal knot with a prettier knot. Hope this helps.

Vaya con Dios, Alan

[rawhide1]

Alan

Thanks I knew after someone saw my explanation they would step in and help.LOL

Mike

[bryanma71]

Thank you for the help. I'll give your method a shot and post back after I have finished the bracelet.

thanks Bryan

[8thsinner]

I can't believe I never thought of braiding over wire to get shapes before. thank you for that. Could you tell me exactly what sort of wire your using?

In exchange I may be able to offer you another method.

Following on from the last idea, and taking it further, you get a single strand braid around the whole thing with one layer over one end and two over the other.

You already have the exact number of turns taken per strand over the length, fold one strand in half and place it over the end.

Work these over the length crossing over itself in roughly the same place if possible. Count the turns just to be safe.

When you get to the end fold one then the other over and use lacing needles on each end to pass through the crossing turns creating yourself a nice little four strand braid simulation. It almost certainly will not be as tight on your first go, but it can be done with practice if you really need to reduce the need for knots. Which I can understand if it's the need to reduce time to make them.

Do you really need to braid a turks head under your cover knots though?

You could try wrapping strips of thinner leather around, carving it to shape very very very carefully with a razor. Add a drop of glue every inch or so in the wrap and the thing will never move.