The making of whip #2

[Ron May]

Thank you David I think that's exactly how I want to proceed on this.
When I do I also think I will use your method of checking off the strands as I do them
so the probability of getting confused will be less.

From the crown start checker board up to 3 space above the stair steps and checker board from 3 space below the second stair steps to the transition of the handle and herringbone for the rest of the thong.

That sound about right?

If so I am going to have to see what that looks like on the generator.

[David Cross]

Yes, definitely put that into the generator. Not only will you get a good idea of how it will look, but it will tell you exactly how to transition in and out of the pattern.

[Ron May]

I have looked for how I can actually save the pattern on my computer and print it out, but i have not found one yet.
I can save the o u numbers but not the actual image of the color division.
Any screen grabber won't download because it says it might have a virus or malware in it. (windows 10)

So, I just took a photo of it.

[David Cross]

Ron, you should be able to do a screenshot (print screen). That automatically takes a photo of whatever is on your screen and copies it to "the clipboard". Open Paint, then hit "paste". That screenshot will be copied into Paint, where you can crop the image, resize it, etc, etc. You could even manipulate the image so that each "pixel" is actual size. That way, you can see whether your whole pattern fits on the handle.

[Ron May]

Thanks David, I totally forgot about the print screen.
Good idea it would not be fun to start a design and find out that it
did not fit the handle space.

[David Cross]

It's so convenient to be able to mark off the strands, too. I can personally guarantee you will lose your place if you don't do that.

[Ron May]

This might be a little ambitious but there's something in me that has to at least try.



When the checker board equals the same length as the top I will finish out with a herring bone pattern.
At least that's where my mind is at this moment. (I can see that this is going to have to watched very carefully)

[Jessie Edwards]

Oh this is so confusing. Good luck with that. damn.

[Ron May]

Thank you Jessie. My thoughts exactly.

[Jessie Edwards]

You know, I don't doubt you can do it.
I am such an anti-pattern follower though, I see that as jail. You should see me crochet. It's like free-form interpretative dance. Sweaters? Hell no!

Seriously though, I struggle with knowing what strand does what. It clearly tells you under or over, but...my brain just caught on fire.

[David Cross]

The only way to know for sure is to try. But...I think that pattern looks good, Ron. You shouldn't have many loose strands with that. I think you should give it a shot.

[Ron May]

David, that's the plan.
There's always plan B. I just have to figure out what that is.

[Ron May]

Jessie, one strand at a time.
Taking my time and pulling tight and plaiting loose.

I almost decided not to try, then this little voice said, " CHICKEN!".
As in ' Back to the Future' nobody calls me chicken.

This is one of those WOT moments.

This is all in the future anyway at this point as i still have to make the core, 1st belly, 2nd belly, then I can start to worry about the overlay.

[Paul Slater]

Ron I am watching this with interest as I am going to have a go at adding a pattern to the handle of my bullwhip.
I was reading about patterns and adding letters in Ron Edwards book over the weekend.

I was thinking of a nice simple pattern to start with on the handle but it seems keeping track of everything is the main point that is mentioned so much when researching the subject.

[Ron May]

Yes, Paul. Keeping track of strands is paramount for me. I can see where taking a lot more time and care
is going to be the main goal so as not to mix up strands.

I think it was David in one of his post wrote something about confusion being the enemy and I plan on doing what he suggested in keeping track of strands, printing it out and making a check mark for each strand after pulling it into place.

I plan on just concentrating on one strand at a time and pulling tight and plaiting loose.
A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. Then it's just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other
until the adventure is finished.

It's a bit of time away but I like getting all my ducks in a row before I start any project.
So, to me research is as important as implementation .

[Sir Roger Tuson]

Ron, liking the pattern.

Definitely what David said about marking off each line as you complete it. Too many times, I've just merrily blasted on through the list, taken my eye off the ball for a moment and then lost my place. It is possible to work out where you are from the over/unders but so much easier if you mark each line.

Oh, and if you lay out your pattern using the generator and get your left and right swapped over, you can just use the opposite over/under code instead without having to redo the pattern (does that make sense?)

Rog

[Ron May]

Roger, you mean starting from the right side in stead of the left like the generator does?
That would be handy to know, I have all ways started from right. Thanks for that tip.
I guess it's the way I lay the strands when I start going behind the handle and bringing the
right strand over the left strand when starting to put the strands on the handle.

[Rachel McCollough]

I think there's a button on that pattern generator in the upper right hand corner, you click on it and it will let you input color etc. there is a box on the bottom right corner of that box. That says start with left strand or right... You can set it up either way if I understood it.

[Rachel McCollough]

Starting pattern: instead of full left color you would choose full right color?

[Jeff Roseborough]

Ron, looks like a nice pattern. One area you will want to take extra care is the central "eye". You have a strand that is exposed for 6 spaces. That strand will tend to slip out of place.

There are 2 ways of plaiting patterns, and both work equally well. One it to go down the pattern strand by strand with the O/U sequence. Care must be taken to use the correct equence.

The other way and one I found really easy (in leather) is to wrap 1 side's strands tightly around the handle and secure it with sinew. The other side's strands will all have lacing needles. Work your way down the pattern row by row or 2 or three rows at a time, completing the pattern entirely around the handle.

Either way will work. Be careful and meticulous. Make sure strands and patterns don't "drift" and keep things straight.

Good Luck!
Jeff