Lanyard Help Requested, Please...

[TXAG]

Ok, I am now able to consistantly tie the 5x4 TH.

Proceeding on to gaucho knots...I hope. I tried the Bud Brewer "tutorials" (pictures) and cannot follow them.

If anyone can recommend any other additional resources for going from a 5x4TH to gaucho knot, please let me know. I tried stormdrane's tutorial too and cannot seem to follow it either...(I stop it every couple of seconds because he goes extremely fast and it's hard to keep up with where he is in the knot watching it at full speed...and apparently even when I pause it because I still cannot get it to look right that way either...)

[megabit]

The gaucho is actually pretty easy once you get it. Let me try to offer a couple of pointers:

• Tie your 5x4.
  
• Bring you last bight past the standing end instead of just before it and go under one.
  
• Follow the standing end up continuing over 1 under one over the last two.
  
• Going up follow the string on the right.
  
• Going down follow the string on the left.
  
• Split pairs as you come to them.
  
• Always leave the body of the knot by going over two.
  
• The secret to interweaves is learning what string to follow when and how far. (The gaucho is a little easier because you always go all the way out of the knot before you turn.)
  

[TXAG]

So I managed to learn the three pass gaucho knot today...I uploaded pics to the gallery...

Going to start on a bracelet tonight...

If anyone can offer ideas for bases for the knots, please let me know...in the books I have, it recommends tape. I've also read to use a small piece of leather stitched into a ring, smooth side innermost...and I've read some use wire. I'd like some good bases for the gaucho knots I'll be putting on my bracelet...I read Spanish ring knots don't need them though...is that right?

Edited September 12, 2013 by TXAG

[bucksnort]

There is a pretty good thread on pg 3 called knot/button foundations with a lot of info. Your knots are looking good.

[TXAG]

There is a pretty good thread on pg 3 called knot/button foundations with a lot of info. Your knots are looking good.

Thanks for that...I will go check it out...

I started doing a round 6-plait for my bracelet and found that the thickness of the two colors I was using was different enough to cause it not to come out smooth. That is a pain...so now I have to undo it and do the base 6-plait in all one color and then the knots in another... I may be able to do the knots in two colors, but I'm afraid they'll come out looking weird too due to the difference in thickness of the lace.

I tried using a small nylon core to braid over...it smoothed it out a bit, but it is not smooth enough (for me).

And before anyone says it, yes...I know...this is why everyone makes their own lace. (If you make your own lace, split it, bevel it, etc., you know it's done right and the thickness is uniform for all of it.)

One day, I will make my own lace, but I'd like to build a couple of things first. Looks like I'll be starting over with the single-color 6-plait tonight.

Thanks again...

Edited September 13, 2013 by TXAG

[megabit]

One way to deal with the difference in lace on the buttons is on a pineapple use the smaller lace for the interweave.

[bucksnort]

I usually am working with larger stuff & in the braid, a little difference in the string size isn't a big deal. For buttons, even a slight difference will throw the size off which makes it hard to match from button to button. Megabit has the best suggestion & this is another of those areas where it will get easier with experience. I still find myself going back & redoing buttons that don't match up. I think in the beginning, I would try a button pattern that doesn't require matching button to button as well. Your doing a good job of hanging in there, which is the key.

[bucksnort]

I ran across a site called "Bullwhip making with a box cutter" you might want to check out as well as a topic I posted here on how I bevel rawhide (same system works for leather). It is possible to do nice work with out expensive tools (it is harder & requires more practice, but is kind of rewarding). PeterT does super work & cuts his strings with a notched stick (check out somef his entries on this site). Splitting is probably the hardest & you can make a certain amount of adjustment by beveling to remove some of the bulk. Buck

[TXAG]

Here is what I did this weekend...

I know there are a couple of errors...I will keep working on my knots. One thing I found is that when I do the three-pass gaucho knot (http://www.khww.net/...p?article_id=56), I end up with parallel strands in a couple of places every time...and not where they should be. I need to figure out what I'm doing that causes that. Or find another tutorial for the 3-pass gaucho that I can follow better as apparently I am having trouble with that one.

Haven't figured out what I want to do with the ends on the terminal knots there...might add a couple of Spanish ring knots there...or try to tuck them into the braid...not sure yet...

Thanks for the encouragement, Buck...

Edited September 16, 2013 by TXAG

[bucksnort]

Looks good. Braiding is pretty nice. With the terminal knots take each strand over the one next to it & down, snug that up then take each strand around the one next to it & up thru the center of the knot. You'll end up with all the strings together in the center. you can cut them off even as a tassel or flush with the knot. The problem you have now is your hooked & there's no going back. Buck