The making of whip #2

[Rachel McCollough]

Ron is this fancy plait or crown start? I don't know but I know when I did birds eye plait in 12pl it was a set of three from right, three from left. It forms the pattern. That's all I know I wish I had more experience to be better help...

[Jessie Edwards]

Ron, what if, instead of starting this around the back, let the backside face you as you start plaiting, then after you get all 6 strands started and in order or whatever, flip it around??? Try that. See if it helps you?

[Ron May]

Rachel, it's crown start.
That sounds like a plan Jessie.

Ron

[Philbert Lim]

Ron, you do 2 from each side as that is how the pattern is done, if you notice that the rest of the stands are the same, if you split it and do alternating strands from each side, that last subunit will be pulled toward both sides and kind of sink down, so there will be a hole once you tighten up the stands

[Jessie Edwards]

I'm just wondering if you are trying to start by feel instead of by sight. The last time I made a whip I actually was looking at the back side. It was a bit easier to keep things in order until I got the groove of things. I don't know if it's right, but it got me started...sorry Ron. I wish I could be more help.

[Ron May]

There seems to be hole or pulled down as you said with the two strands as shown in your tutorial. That's the way I have been doing it.
I will keep trying and sooner or later it will happen.
Thanks Philbert.

Ron

[Philbert Lim]

Try to make sure that the crowns are spaced out evenly, the crown will sink down if the gap is too big as it will have to stretch to the sides. Tighten the other strands first and make sure that they're spaced out evenly before tightening the strands from the last subunit.

[Philbert Lim]

If the crown start still isn't working, there may be an alternative method to getting the colors grouped on each side, i have only tried it once with 4 strands of the same color for belly 1 of whip #2, but i'll test it out later with 16 strands when i get back from dinner and let you know

[Philbert Lim]

The chessboard start would actually work as well if you have the colors grouped up when doing the starting pattern

[Rachel McCollough]

You get it on there and get a few strands around that thing semi tight , flip it over and move those subunits around until they are evenly spaced with your fid. that's what I did. I then checked my alignment and tightened it up and flipped it back over and started back plaiting. It loosens everything up just a bit but when it is even then you can tighten it down and it not go anywhere.

That's what worked for me.

[Rachel McCollough]

A 16 pl for your first crown start is not for the faint of heart. You will get it.

[Ron May]

Thank you Rachel and Philbert.
It's going to work sooner or later, but I failed 'Buzzard 101" .
It's a good lesson in patience.
Rachel, I am going to try that and see what happens.


Ron

[Ron May]

SUCCESS !

I tried all the suggestions, a little from one and a little from another which lead me to try a different approach.

I threaded some sinew through the top of the subunits and tied it to the dowel.
Then I brought the appropriate strands around the back like shown in the tutorial and it worked. Now the strands are laying flat on the back and nothing looks drawn down or out of place.

It's still fairly loose on the dowel but I am going to tighten it up tomorrow when I have more time.
Then I will transfer it to the handle...tighten it up tight and I should then be ready to PLAIT.

Thank you so much every one for your suggestions and moral support.
I could have figured it out on my own but now I can finish the whip this year.

Ron

[Philbert Lim]

Nice! feels good to finally get it right after trying to hard doesn't it? Tying the subunits with sinew is a really good idea. *Thumbs up*

[Ron May]

Philbert, yes it feels really good. !

Rachel, moving the subunits around making sure they were aligned right was a big help thank you.

Ron

[Rachel McCollough]

Great going Ron!!!

[Jessie Edwards]

My main man. Great job Ron. I knew you had this. *fistbump*

[Ron May]

Thank you Rachel. !
Jessie, *fistbump* right back. !
Now to transfer and tighten.

Ron

[Sir Roger Tuson]

Happy for you Ron. It's good when it finally comes together.

[Guest]

Don't you just love the feeling when something you suck at for a time just suddenly "clicks" to place


- Pokkis