Can anyone tell me what kind of weave this is?

[dirtyshirt]

Trying to see if this style of weave exists today but I can't find what it is called. It is similar to houndstooth but not quite. Any help would be great. This is the sleeve over the wood finial on a Philadelphia Depot Flag Tassel. Photo courtesy of Peter Luks.

[Spinster]

Re: Can anyone tell me what kind of weave this is?

The art/craft of braiding silk threads or cords over a wooden form takes different names in different cultures, as do the patterns.

Most popular and accessible today are instructions for Japanese Kumihimo, with free pattern generators where you color in the look of the finished pattern and the software generates the braiding formula.

Fiber Guilds in your area will likely have active members who can reproduce the look. If not, then this commercial supplier of modern sword knots may be able to help you.

http://www.uniform-accessories.com/Regalia-and-Ceremonial-Wear/Sword-Knots-Shop?product_id=107

[dirtyshirt]

Re: Can anyone tell me what kind of weave this is?

Mrs. Lawson,
What about the option for simply weaving it in a "flat form" and putting a seam in it? I will certainly explore your advice and keep my fingers crossed the expense isn't too great :)

[dirtyshirt]

Re: Can anyone tell me what kind of weave this is?

Wow Mrs. Lawson, I just Googled Fiber guilds here in Cedar Rapids, and it looks like I'll be making a few calls tomorrow! Thanks for the tip!

[Spinster]

Re: Can anyone tell me what kind of weave this is?

Giggle. Yep. I figured you were looking for a cloth drawdown and not what it actually was.

Standard Kumihimo is done as a tubular braid and even kids are doing it on cardboard rather than the big wooden stands. Finding someone to work around a form will be more obscure, but they exist because there is some money in it. Custom braided drapery tassels can run up to $100 in the decorator trade.

[dirtyshirt]

Re: Can anyone tell me what kind of weave this is?

Maybe I just need to grab a toilet paper tube and learn how then! Too funny. I'll do a little research and see what I can come up with. Thanks Mrs. Lawson!

[dirtyshirt]

Re: Can anyone tell me what kind of weave this is?

Okay my friends of the fibre arts, check out these 2 pages:

http://flagcollection.com/itemdetails.php?CollectionItem_ID=3296

http://flagcollection.com/itemdetails.php?CollectionItem_ID=3256

You can choose a pic and hover your cursor over it and get a nice close up view. These were definitely braided. I have looked at Kumihimo and can't find a pattern ans I don't know if it would work for a larger "tube" like this. Does anyone know where I can find instructions to make this kind of braided tubing? My efforts have turned up nothing. Thanks again!

[Spinster]

Re: Can anyone tell me what kind of weave this is?

You'll have to learn the principles involved and expand the size of the tubing by expanding the number of threads (in increments of four as I recall)

Use this planner and color in the dots to match the pattern you want. It will then generate the braiding pattern.

http://www.lythastudios.com/123bead/kumiplanner.html

Now, I'm squinting on an iphone at the 'rope' attached to the braided tassel. This seems to be a trim called German rope. Unlike kumihimo, making this simply requires patience and a pard. Once you get the tassel done, drop me a note and I'll talk you through by phone. It's been awhile since I've done the two color German Rope, so I'll have to puzzle it out again.

[dirtyshirt]

Re: Can anyone tell me what kind of weave this is?

Mrs. Lawson,
Sent you a PM. I just don't see how this could be done by kumihimo. The planners don't allow me to recreate this look, all the way up to a 32 thread count.

[Chris Fisher]

Re: Can anyone tell me what kind of weave this is?

Brandon, google Ashley's book of knots and look there. There over 5000 knots, bends, beckets, splices, and braids in it from all over the world. It also shows how to make most of them.