 WWL Hardware: The BDSM Crafter's Supply |
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Techniques Supplies Quickies Braiding |
WWL Hardware: The BDSM Crafter's Supply |
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Tools Tips/Tricks Links Projects |
Techniques Supplies Quickies Braiding |
This braid is illustrated in ELRB on page 333, Plate 134. It is one of the simplest braids for covering a handle, since both number and length of required strands are easy to determine. The core (handle) must have a consistent size along its length, however. Grant has no numbering or lettering on the strands in these diagrams. There are many vertical strands, five in the example, and one long horizontal strand. In an actual braid, the vertical strands would completely cover the circumferance of the core.
You must have an odd number of vertical strands, with a single exception. If braiding in a three-over three under pattern, the number of vertical strands may be even but not divisible by 6. Interesting effects may be achieved with this braid using strands of different colors, or vertical strands of different widths. Fred Norman has a particularly attractive example of the last approach.
 | The starting position, with five vertical strands secured to the top of the core with a rubberband. Around to the right from front: PURPLE, YELLOW, GREEN, ORANGE, RED. The long free strand (BLACK) will be the horizontal strand. At all times, the flesh side of all strands will face the core. |
 | Start with the horizontal strand (BLACK) under any attached strand, PURPLE in this case. It should head to the right and slightly down. Grant's Plate 134 Fig 1 shows this strand attached with a slit loop, but this approach leaves a bump under a finishing knot. You may want to secure the horizontal strand, although I've left it free here. |
 | Braid to the right, around the work. The basic mosaic pattern is over-one under-one. In this picture, the BLACK strand has gone over YELLOW and under GREEN. Note the slight downward angle to this strand, and how the vertical strands remain straight down the core. |
 | Over ORANGE under RED. |
 | Over PURPLE under YELLOW. Note that we're starting the second pass around the core. Because there are an odd number of vertical strands, the horizontal strand runs over the strands it went under on the last pass. |
 | Continue down to the desired length. Tighten as you go, moving the hoizontal strand upward, tugging the vertical strands taught in a downward direction, and straigtening the vertical strands. Finish with a full tightening pass, then whip down all strands at both ends with waxed thread. |
 | Here is a modified version of this braid. It has been woven under-two over-two, creating a spiral pattern (which would be more evident with a larger number of vertical strands). This modification also requires an odd number of vertical strands. |
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