Show Dog Leash

[Tracym]

Thanks!

[Tracym]

I am also trying to figure out something to cover the back braiding without being too thick. The larger decorative stuff is fine on a leash like yours (and lovely) but I make some that are a slip lead - go around the dog's neck and through a loop at the end. A bulky thing there would be a problem I think. I was hoping perhaps just a braid like yours might not be too large.

[KnotHead]

This probably wont show you exact details. But will give you the idea of what to do. I'll try to explain what I did as I go with the photos.

Taking 2 strands and dividing them in half to create a 4 strand round braid on both left and right hand sides in order to bring them to the center. You can of course make these as long as you wish.

As you can see by the photo the individual braids came together in the center. This will now give you 16 strands to work with. From this point any pattern can be created to braid down for covering back braids.

As you can see from this shot I have created the pattern I want to use. At this point the braiding is just like braiding around a core.

As I braid down, I am watching the back side as well. Checking to be sure that the braid is lining up and closing up so that there are no gaps in the braid.

You can finish this type of braiding off by 2 methods.

1. Employ the Fid work style finish.
   
2. Make a knot that will cover the ends.
   

Much of this braiding style was figured out and done by trial and error and lots of frustration. But it has been well worth the time and effort. I believe that this adds another touch of dimension to your skill sets as a braider and also adds dimension to your actual projects. It might take a little longer to do this. But the outcome is worth it at least I think so.

Brian...

[Sovran81]

Nice job on that T- knot.

[Tracym]

That is SO kind of you to go to the trouble to put up such detailed instructions. Just a few questions - you say two 4-strand round braids, then you end up with 16 strands? Wouldn't it have to be 2 8-strand braids to equal 16? Is that the same method you used on the one with the red - just quite a bit less of the two round braids? And finally, what is "Employ the Fid work style finish"? Thanks so much for you help, I am satisfied with my actual braiding now and am looking to upgrade adding some fancier stuff.

[KnotHead]

The fid work styled finish is just a back braid sort of. You would actually extend the strands down in a 45 degree helix and lash that off and then build you finishing knot from all the strands. It would be considered a very short fid work knot, or a multi-stranded knot.

You would actually get 8 strands on both front and back for a total of 16 strands all together.

It is the same method I used on the red and black leash.

Thanks all for the very kind comments. I will say that this braiding technique is not my own invention. I however, have not seen any type of instructions for it anywhere as of yet, or in any book that I know of. I could be wrong on that. But, with that in mind. I may just have re-discovered something done in the past and just brought it out today. Who knows. LOL...

Brian...

Edited November 18, 2013 by KnotHead

[Tracym]

Thank you yet again. That fid bit is going to be interesting for me to figure out, I am such a novice at this sort of thing. Well I can make a nice 4-strand braid and a few knots, but the rest of this is a challenge. Well it is very pretty

[Peter T]

That's a pretty cool technique, Brian. Well done for figuring out how to do it. It looks great.

Pete

[KnotHead]

Thank you Tracy and Peter. Just so everyone knows this. I did not invent this technique. As far as I can tell by my limited research, this technique may have been around in history somewhere. I know that in one of my Argentine books that one braider had done some infused braids, or the combining of two or three different braids along the same type of guide lines as I used here. Not the same. But darn close.

Brian...

[bucksnort]

Brian, Very cool & great job with the pics. Thanks for sharing. Buck