Whip Basics. The Forum

Hook or vise? If hook what I do is half hitch a cord around the thong low enough I tie it around my leg- pull just enough tension to keep the thong slightly stretched. Wen doing this diamond plait I would hold the off side strands and with my hand tight around the thong right there while I pulled the working strand on the other side. It helped.

Masking tape- like Pokkis does- something to aim at. About 12" down wrap a piece around and stick it back to itself so it makes a flag sticking up in line with your chalk line. That's what I do when I have trouble keeping it lined up.

Thanks Rachel, I'll try that.

That's exactly what Bobbi said too.
She has been such a huge help.

I know one thing.
This is hard.
I have a new respect and admiration for those who can do fancy plaiting and do it well.

Ron

Jessie, that's seems to be the favored way.
Sort of like the sights on a gun with the chock line being the target and the "V" of the strands like the gun sight.
Thanks.

Ron

Rachel, right now I am using a vice but I am going to switch it to a "hook" and see how that goes.
All , or most, of the better whip makers seem to prefer that to a vice.

Ron

Ron May wrote: Sort of like the sights on a gun with the chock line being the target and the "V" of the strands like the gun sight.
Ron

Exactly!!! Exactly like that...

I tie the whip to a carabiner that's tied to the metal supports of my table, i don't have anything to tension the thong. Sounds like a good idea though. What i do is plait normally but stop once in awhile to look down the thong at the position to check for twisting like it was suggested in Ron Edwards's book

I'm guessing that it might be possible that you're over tightening the strands too as the crowns are spaced evenly, so if you pull too much, they will bunch up and twist, pull the strands tool you feel resistance and stop, do a few of your regular plait and tighten again.

Ron, I will have to agree with Rachel on this one. You need to pull the belly as tight as possible with your off hand while the other hand pulls the strand tight. I remember Lasse wrote a tutorial a couple years ago where he attached the belly to his waist using a hook and string. He used his body weight to stretch the belly and it left both hands free to plait. I don't remember exactly what it was called but that might be something to help you.

I never thought of tying down the belly. What I do is have a weighted hemostat and clip it in to the end. The whip still moves but there is some tension on the belly.

Thanks Rachel.
I remember seeing one of your boys using that same technique on one of your videos.

Roy, yeah I think I will use an anchor point of some sort to keep some tension on the belly. Having both hands sort of free is sounding like a good idea.

Ron

I tried the idea out earlier, tied a couple scrap strands together, with one end, tied a slip knot to attach the cord to the thong, the other end around my belly and using a carabiner to allow me to put it on and take it off easily. It worked really well with keeping the whip in a better position for plaiting and was much more stable then just letting it hang from the hook.

Philbert , Roy mentioned in a previous thread about Lasse's method of plaiting with the anchor to his waist. Here it is and I think it's looking like a viable option.
I'm going to give it a try.

It also mentions Pokkis's masking tape as a guide for straight plaiting.

viewtopic.php?id=3074

Ron

That's it
Only reason I tie mine lower is I'm short and it allows the thong to hang more vertical.

May yourself a macrame hook thinger.

http://www.slojd-detaljer.com/categorie ... ol-pid3423

Rachel, is " more vertical " easier.
I can see where it might make it easier to move strands around though.

Ron

For longer periods of plaiting yessir my shoulders won't get as sore and plait stays straighter. However, less vertical may be better for tightening up the diamond plait.

I have my hook under the table, so i work sitting down as the table isn't very high, so i have the whip horizontal and it helps with checking if the pairing is straight by looking down the length.

Boy howdy, this is so hard.
Been working on it since 9:00am this morning. It's now 11:45am and I have completed 3" of diamond plait.

I thought I was getting a rhythm going only to see some mistakes and having to redo it.
This happened multiple times.

All morning long I kept asking my self, " What was I thinking?"

Take heart friends, I am not giving up.
I just wanted to vent my frustration.

Ron