squarebraid1

The Square Braid of 8 Cords with NO void at the beginning

Always work the cords to the center of the braid
and keep a fairly tight braid but don't try to kill Aunt Nellie!

When starting the 8-square or steam-gasket there is a void which forms in
the first four passes due to the peculiarity of the starting pattern.

To avoid this void, do the following:

LASH the cords together:

Divide the cords with 4 on each side.

Number the cords (LEFT) 1 thru 4, top to bottom,
(RIGHT) 5 thru 8, again, top to bottom

Take #5 to the LEFT, OVER 6-7-8 so you now have
1-2-3-4-5 on the Left and 6-7-8 on the Right...

Take #1 OVER 2-3-4-5, to the RIGHT, so you now have
2-3-4-5 on the LEFT and 6-7-8-1 on the RIGHT.

Take #6 to the left OVER 7-8-1 so you now have

2-3-4-5-6 on the LEFT and 7-8-1 on the RIGHT

Take #2 to the RIGHT OVER 7-8-1 producing

3-4-5-6 on the LEFT and 7-8-1-2 on the RIGHT

(Paradigm shift! The following is the weave until
you've reached the desired length PLUS 8 - 12 passes)

Take the UPPER right hand cord (#3) UNDER and around the back
of the sennit to the RIGHT and come up between
7-8 & 1-2, continuing over to the LEFT,
so you now have :

4-5-6-3 on the LEFT and 7-8-1-2 on the RIGHT

Take the UPPER LEFT hand cord (#7) under and around the back
of the sennit to the LEFT and come up between
4-5 & 6-3, continuing over to the RIGHT
so you now have :

4-5-6-3 on the LEFT and 8-1-2-7 on the RIGHT

for the rest of the sennit:

Take UPPER LEFT hand cord under and around the back
and up between 2 and over 2 and back over to the LEFT,

Then

Take TOP RIGHT hand cord under and around the back
and up between 2 and over 2 and back to the RIGHT.

Continue this sequence until the desired length is reached.

TIP:
Continue for three complete passes and then lash off with a
"slippery" constrictor or "slippery" clove hitch.
You'll thank me, you will...

Especially effective is the use of the modified footrope knot as a decorative item,
forming this around the four unused lines and then continuing the sennit as though
the manrope was an "applied" turk's head. Learn how to do these reversed and it
can become quite the conversation-piece among knot-tyers.

Terminate any way desired.

For a "Call" lanyard, I usually make a 44.5 cm leg for either side (your lengths may vary)
and then do a footrope for the center point and reverse the pattern for the second leg. Put a decorative
footrope knot to match leg direction about half-way down to collector, then do whatever
collector knot you may care for, with a call loop (to support the "whistle")
of about 10 cm/side, but if you wish to do the entire 89 cm length in one direction
it will work just as nicely and take a bit less time.

There are many, many types of sennit/briad and almost ALL of them are suitable to this purpose,
with the caveat that line smaller than 1mm or larger than 3mm will produce "unusual" appearances.

Of course, you can start the whole procedure either right or left sided
but modify the above directions to conform with your choice of sides.

This can also be done with 4 cords. Or any multiple of 4’s.
If round cord is used the braid will be square. If flat lace is used, the braid will be round.

If two colors are used, alternate the colors. IE: dark, light, dark, light.

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Steam Gasket or
Square Braid
Verbose

2016 June

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