Introduction And Some Of My Work

[megabit]

Oh and I really like that crocodile ridge bracelet. I am going to have to learn that braid I think it would make a nice set of hobbles or a hatband.

[entiendo]

So if I order some mohair will you guide me a little? I'm excited to try now! I have a couple of pieces I have to make then I'm free until the next comes along. I'd love to be able to make reins I'm happy with and that don't cost a fortune. Sorry Megabit! It's not that I don't like romel reins but I too use a snaffle and like a good weight.

[Alberta Bound]

Thanks Mike, it's one of my favorite bracelets. The only thing I found with that particular variation on croc ridge is that you can't braid it quite as tightly as with a round braid. It sort of scrunches up if you're not careful and it's not a very pleasant look. I don't know if that's true for other variations on crocodile ridge but that's just what I've noticed.

I'd be happy to help you Entiendo! It's pretty similar to leather but with none of the tedious cutting and splitting and beveling. Just let me know if you need anything. Even if you aren't a fan you won't be out much and I'm sure at least one of your customers will take them off your hands!

Jen

[entiendo]

Well that's wonderful, I'm going to look at the mohair and see what it is I'm buying. Thank you so much

[megabit]

So if I order some mohair will you guide me a little? I'm excited to try now! I have a couple of pieces I have to make then I'm free until the next comes along. I'd love to be able to make reins I'm happy with and that don't cost a fortune. Sorry Megabit! It's not that I don't like romel reins but I too use a snaffle and like a good weight.

You would sure enough look funny with romals on a snaffle. For a snaffle I like twisted mane hair. But I generally leave the snaffle hanging on the wall and use a hackamore.

[entiendo]

Goodness I don't know if I should get black or natural!!

I don't quite understand what you are trying to tell me here.

I think the mohair could look really nice with a braided bridle, and it's kind of a fun thing to play with. I'm not crazy about romel reins either, they do look nice and very traditional but they're just not really my style... The braided mohair is pretty heavy and has a lot of "life" to it. However, it will feel fairly light when it's not braided. I have to admit I was a bit worried about that as well. I don't know if you've ever held onto a piece of that Stable Braid that Pat Parelli touts but it's got a surprisingly similar feel. When I did the twelve strand braid I split each cord into two. Mohair comes in 8 strand and 2 strand cord. I bought the 8 strand because it can be easily split into the two strand, but when i split it for the 12 plait reins i guess you could say i used 4 strand? I haven't measured but it's around 5/8" diameter, maybe a bit more. The 2 strand is used mainly for weaving the diamonds on cinches. You can get some really unique colors of mohair from www.artcords.com if you're looking for something a little wild!

Do you mean you used 12 strands, but it's not actually a 12 plait? Rather you combined some of the strands together to do the braid? Not sure, sorry. I'm trying to figure out how much I need. I'll do a little surfing around too.

[Alberta Bound]

Reading it over, I suppose it was kind of confusing... sorry bout that!

it's 12 plait, just like you'd braid 12 plait in roo. However, I'll just clarify:

by "plait", i mean the number of cords that you're braiding

by "strands" i mean the number of strands in each cord.

Cord from ubraid it or artcords comes in 8 or 2 strand. (Actually, artcords also has 16 strand but I'm not sure how big that is). Hitching Post Supply only lists the 8 strand on their website.

The 8 strand cord is actually four 2 strand cords twisted together, like a rope.

When I made my 6 plait reins, I used the full 8 strands for each cord.

When I made my 12 plait reins, I split each 8 strand cord into two 4 strand cords (you just kind of untwist it and try to get each set of four strands to twist together separately. i know that doesn't make the greatest sense, but it's sort of like making two small ropes from one larger one).

Thus, the 12 plait actually uses the same *amount* of mohair to braid as the 6 plait because the cords have half the number of strands. This does not include the core need for the 12 plait.

Hopefully that makes little more sense?

[entiendo]

Oh boy. Still a little confusing but I think I get it for the most part. The rest will come together when I have the rope in my hands. I can't wait! I love the thought of making these reins to go with my bridle! 12 plait all the way, make it nice and smoooooth!