Read Ebook: Gimp Braiding Projects by White Charles E

Font size: 10 px 15 px 20 px 25 px 30 px 35 px

Background color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Text color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Apply/Save settings

Ebook has 128 lines and 10671 words, and 3 pages

These illustrated bracelets need no introduction, since they are standard as braiding projects. They are ordinarily made with from one to four colors, but can be made with as many as eight colors, so there is a wide range of possibilities for bright patterns. The braid itself is an eight strand variation of the braiding used for leashes and lanyards.

Standard Flat-Weave Bracelet

Materials required: 4 strands of standard gimp, 2 1/4 yds. each 1 steel band, 3/4 ? wide

Hold the center of all four strands against the inside of the band about 1/2 ? beyond the joint. If standard gimp is used, be sure to have the seams next to the metal. Fold the strands on the left diagonally down across the band, holding them with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand.

Weave the top right strand across the band under the first, over the second, under the third, and over the fourth strands. Weave the next strand over the first, under the second, over the third, and under the fourth strands. Weave the third strand under one--over one--under one--over one, and weave the last strand under two--over one--under one. Make certain that none of the strands are twisted, then tighten the braid on the band until the gimp lies flat without bulging.

Pass the top right strand through the bracelet. Bring it forward between the two middle strands at the left. Then fold it back across the band over the third strand and under the fourth. Pull it tight. Next do the same with the upper left strand , and continue alternately weaving the top left and right strands in this way. The last strand woven shows as the lowest on the inside, so you can always tell which strand to weave next.

If the pattern does not come out even when you have woven the entire distance around the bracelet, ease the braid back around the band to gain whatever additional space you need in order to complete the design.

Clip the ends of the strands to make them pointed. Then weave the lower right strand under the beginning strand on the same side. Weave the lower left strand over the first and under the second beginning strands on the left. Then weave the free strand on the left over one--under one, thus completing the face of the braid with all the strands woven to the edge.

To finish off, work inside the bracelet. Weave the upper left strand under the first two slanting strands on the right. Weave the upper right strand under the two opposite strands.

Weave the rest of the strands in the same way , then draw the work tight and trim off the ends.

Many additional patterns can be made by varying the position of the strands at the start. The strands may simply be crossed on the inside , to make one series of patterns. They may be looped to bring both ends of the same strand on the same side for another group of patterns. Titan lacing may be looped flat as in figure 60, but standard gimp should have the strands arranged as in figure 61 so that the seam sides will be toward the band. Combinations of straight, crossed, and looped strands offer further possibilities for patterns.

Eight separate strands 4 ft. long may be started as shown in figure 62. An ordinary paper clip is sufficient to hold the braid in place. Weaving with eight strands extends the possibilities for unusual patterns, but care must be exercised to keep the designs simple.

Wood-Core Flat-Weave Bracelet

Materials required: 4 strands of standard gimp, 2 3/4 yds. each 1 standard wood core

The stunning bracelets of the type shown here are made in exactly the same way as the standard bracelets.

Narrow Flat-Weave Bracelet

Materials required: 4 strands of standard gimp, 1 1/2 yds. each 1 steel band, 1/2 ? wide

These, also, are made in the same way as the standard bracelets, offering the same opportunities for patterns.

Six-Strand Flat-Weave Bracelets

The preceding bracelets can be made equally well with three long strands instead of four. The only difference in the braiding is that the strand which is carried around the back should be brought forward between the first two strands and woven across the band over one--under one. The lengths of the strands required are as follows:

Wide-band bracelet--3 strands, 2 yds. each Narrow-band bracelet--3 strands, 1 1/2 yds. each Wood-core bracelet--3 strands, 2 1/2 yds. each

Napkin Rings

Any of the above can be made as napkin rings. If the core used is 6? in circumference , use three-fourths as much material as is required for the corresponding bracelet.

These bracelets are typical of the colorful possibilities of the new round gimp. Both are made entirely of gimp without any special accessories, and require very little time for the braiding.

Square-Knotted Bracelet

Materials required: 2 strands of small cord gimp, 1 3/4 yds. each 1 strand of wide gimp, 18?

Make a double coil of wide gimp of whatever diameter is desired. Cut both ends on the same slant, so that there will always be only two thicknesses of material in the finished core.

Tie the two strands of cord gimp together at one end, leaving about 1? beyond the knot to use later for finishing. Place the knot at the left side of the core. Select the color which is to show on the band and lead it across the outside of the core. Lead the other strand through the core, cross it over the top strand , lead it back under the core and up through the loop at the left side. This process makes half a square knot.

In all succeeding knots, merely choose the color which is to show on the band and lead it across in front. Then loop the other strand over it, around the back, and forward through the loop on the opposite side.

When you have gone completely around the bracelet, untie the starting knot and tuck in the loose ends.

All the patterns shown above are made in exactly this way. The core may either be of the same color as one of the working strands, or of a third color to add little decorative touches between the stitches.

Spiral Bracelet

Materials required: 2 strands of heavy round gimp, 2 1/2 yds. each 1 strand of heavy round gimp, 10?

Cross the strands at their midpoints. Bring the right under strand around over the next two strands and down behind. Do the same with the second strand. Bring the third strand around and down through the loop of the first. Bring the last strand around and down through both the first and second loops. Insert the core through the middle so that about 1? is beyond the knot. Then pull all the strands tight.

Continue braiding for about 8? in this same way. Then fit the braid around your wrist to find the bracelet size needed. Cut the long end of the core so that it just touches the beginning of the braid. Overlap the two ends of the core, and complete the braid over the doubled strand. Tuck the loose ends through the beginning stitches and trim them off close to the braid.

Belts to match bracelets and leashes or to harmonize with various costumes are favorite gimp projects. They may be made from any type of gimp. The popular twelve-strand braids can have as many as six colors, if so desired.

The choice of the buckle is quite important. Standard buckles with tongues are the most widely used. Special decorative effects can be achieved with tongueless buckles. Other attractive results can be produced by covering the buckle with gimp, using half hitches or basket stitches as shown in figure 78.

Materials required: 6 strands of standard gimp or Titan lacing, 3 1/4 yds. each 3 strands of standard gimp or Titan lacing, 6? each 1 buckle for 3/4 ? or 1? belt width

Fasten the buckle securely so that you can pull against it to keep the braiding tight. Hang three strands of gimp on each side of the tongue, so that you have twelve strands of equal length. Since the order of the strands determines the pattern, arrange the strands on the buckle as indicated for any of the patterns on page 11.

Bring the back part of the left strand forward and bend it across the other section of the same strand right side up. Bring the lower part of the second strand forward and weave it over the front portion and under the forward part of the left strand. In the same way bring each strand around to the front and weave it to the left over one--under one--over one--etc. When the work appears as in figure 81, check the strands to see that they are all right side up before beginning to braid.

Take the upper right strand and weave it across over one--under one--etc. Then weave the upper left strand under one--over one--under one--etc. Bend the strands at the edge as in figure 84. If Titan lacing is used, the strands may be folded at the edge instead as in figure 85. Continue weaving the right and left strands in this way.

When you have woven the full length you need for the belt, make the last row from left to right and fasten the strands with a paper clip as shown in figure 86. Turn the belt around and weave each strand loosely back along itself. Pull the strands tight, then trim the ends close to the braid.

Make the loop of simple three strand braiding sewed at the ends and sewed to the belt 1? below the buckle.

Little need be said of the color patterns shown on page 11. At one end of each we have indicated the positions of the strands on the buckle.

Other Types of Braided Belts

These same directions can be followed for belts with any number of strands looped through a buckle. One of the most effective of these variations can be made with wide gimp. This belt, as made ten strands wide and a yard long calls for a 1 3/4 ? buckle and five weaving strands, 3 1/2 yds. each.

Although there are several qualities of gimp lacing on the market, only the highest grade is fit for use in craft work. The gimp we carry is made to order under our own strict specifications. It is waterproof, and therefore washable. It has unusual tensile strength and will withstand much abuse. The large amount we now sell makes it possible to offer this improved gimp at lower prices.

GL-1 STANDARD GIMP--3/32? wide. Flat, seamless, lustrous, washable. Colors: gold, silver, white, red, orange, yellow, blue, tan, brown, black, and green. yd. $.02; 50 yds. $.85; 100 yds. .50 500 or more yds. .35 per 100 yds.

GL-3 TITAN LACING--3/32? wide. Colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, tan, brown, black, white, gold, and silver. Extra strong. Has half-oval cross-section. yd. $.02; 50 yds. $.85; 100 yds. .50

LL-1 GOAT LEATHER LACING--3/32? wide. Colors: natural, red, green, blue, brown, and black. yd. $.06; 50 yds. .50; 100 yds. .75

LL-3 SPECIAL GOAT LACING--5/64? wide--tan only. yd. $.04; 50 yds. .75; 100 yds. .00

Share on: WhatsApp @Hash Facebook Tweet