New To Braiding

[CritterPoor]

Hello all.

I find myself unemployed (again!) and was thinking about taking up braiding as a hobby and maybe making a few Christmas presents in the meantime. I am mainly interested in dog leashes, collars and maybe a few simple necklaces. I have looked around on this site and it seems full of great information, though a little over whelming.

My current question is about cores. Do you guys always use them? What do you use for cords? how do you decide what size cord to use?

Also, where would you suggest a newbie purchase their material from?

Thanks!

[megabit]

Well the answer to your question about cores is pretty much the same as so many answers... it depends. Typically anything over 6 strands should have a core unless you want it to be square or flat. If you want flat you will need to pound it flat. What you use for a core is another wide open topic. Personally I like leather or rawhide for my cores. I mostly only braid rawhide.

[entiendo]

Depends...Just like Megabit said.

On large expensive projects I use a braided core...like reins, on bracelets I use a nylon core. Dog leashes I use a nylon core, except 4 plait, then I use a sinew or a fishing line as a core.

There is a formula for size of core and size of string. Don't have it in my head right now, but my 3/32 string uses a 1/8' core and my 1/8' string uses a 3/16" nylon core.

welcome

[roo4u]

well if you want to braid with the best leather it has to be kangaroo....if you want to learn on the more inexpensive side then paracord. cores used will depend on the size of the leash and the dog its being used on. also with paracord if you braid more than 6 strands you need a core or the braid comes out square.

[megabit]

well if you want to braid with the best leather it has to be kangaroo....

Actually skip the tanned hides and use rawhide.

[curlyjo]

Actually skip the tanned hides and use rawhide.

If you're new to braiding, stick with paracord or lacing already made up. It's much more forgiving and can be dismantled to reuse. Mike, rawhide is great but there is to many steps between start and finish. I know what your saying but I've to much rawhide hanging on the wall to encourage starting there. Brad

[roo4u]

rawhide is an awful tuff place to start...im still trying to get started working the rawhide. the learning curve with it sucks.

[megabit]

Paracord is a great place to start, if you look at what I quoted you would understand I was mostly teasing Roo as apposed to giving advice. I think rawhide may very well be hard to work with but I'd say it is cheaper than roo and I personally like the end result. ;D

[roo4u]

oh sure teasing poor ole roo. i almost listed rawhide in my post but its not really a typical material for dog stuff and a bit tuff to learn...i think less forgiving....your right though, cheaper than kangaroo by a bunch.

[Nod4Eight]

Welcome. You came to a great place to get advice. 'Roo and other leathers are much easier and forgiving in my experience, but I agree with megabit and prefer rawhide. As far as cores, use what you have and practice practice practice. And have fun with it.

There are some great braiders here, learn what you can from them.