The Knotty Bear.: Ply-Split Braiding.

Ply-Split Braiding is a technique more commonly associated with Camel Girth Makers from India.
This is a technique, where by one cords ply’s are opened and another cord is passed though the opening basically splitting the cord. Generally used with 2 or 4 ply cords, but also can be made with 3 ply cords too.
Several cords are used; and using various Ply-Splitting techniques a fabric can be made with all of the interconnecting cords. The fabric can have an open mesh appearance or be very tightly made.
And the possibilities of working in 3 dimensions are endless.

Ply-Split Braided Dice Cups.

This Dice Shaker cup is based upon one that I made whilst on holiday in Kettwig Germany last year. This one is made from my own hand made, 4 strand paper cords,

Reversible dice bag and shaker cup, made for my Girlfriend. pictured with complimentary coloured dice.

This is the afore mentioned dice shaker cup which I made whilst on holiday in Kettwig, made from left over scraps of my hand made paper cords from another project. Ply-Split Braided in SCOT.

for more pictures and info see my post here:

Dice Bags & Shaker Cups.

I also make and sell the cord makers used for making your own cords.

See this page for more details.

Tools & Materials

Some fine paper cords made with my cord maker

Ply-Split Braided Linen Belt #2.
(This item is now available to buy in my new Etsy store)
The Knotty Bear Etsy Store.

(Note: the colours of this belt are Cobalt Blue and Citrus Green, but due to the light the green colour looks washed out in the photos! the last photo shows the correct colours.

Made with my own hand made Linen cords, total length 1100mm including buckle, width 42mm.
The buckle is a stainless steel roller buckle.

The braid is a 24 strand, 4 section SCOT (single course oblique twining) braid, a 6 strand, 2 section SCOT braid keeper loop, and the end of the belt is finished with a 2 section SCOT braid.

A perfec fit! also shown with one of my conquistadors braid belt loop watch straps, I hate wearing a watch on my wrist.

Close up showing the buckle detail, the SCOT (single course oblique twining) keeper loop, which is spliced in to the belt itself, and the tip of the belt, of which the ends are all spliced back into the belt braid.

The belt can be pierced at any point along its length by pushing the prong through the braid. When you decide to change the length the old hole will close up with a simple wiggle of the braid.

Showing the very neat edge of the braid created by the Ply-Splitting process.

Showing the Braiding process in progress, using one of my hand made Grip Fids, several strands are first split with the tool and then a single cord pulled back through. This process is repeated well over 1000 times in the making of this belt.

Ply-Split Braided Linen Belt.
SOLD
The Knotty Bear Etsy Store.
Made with my own hand made Linen cords, total length1075mm including buckle, width 42mm.
The buckle is a stainless steel roller buckle.

The braid is a 24 strand, 4 section SCOT (single course oblique twining) braid, a 5 strand POT (plain oblique twining) keeper loop, and the end of the belt is finished with a 2 section SCOT braid.

A perfec fit! also shown with one of my conquistadors braid belt loop watch straps, I hate wearing a watch on my wrist.

Close up showing the buckle detail, the POT (plain oblique twining) keeper loop which is spliced in to the belt itself, and the tip of the belt, of which the ends are all spliced back into the belt braid.

The belt can be pierced at any point along its length by pushing the prong through the braid. When you decide to change the length the old hole will close up with a simple wiggle of the braid.

Showing the very neat edge of the braid created by the Ply-Splitting process.

Ply-Split Braided bag strap.

Made with my own hand made Axminster wool cords, total length 1480mm, width 62mm.

The braid is a 24 strand, 4 section SCOT (single course oblique twining) braid

The ends are spliced back into the braid and the starting rod was replaced by a cable laid cord with the ends finished in Manrope knots.
The bag that this strap is intended for is still on the drawing board! ;-?

Showing the very neat edge of the braid created by the Ply-Splitting process.

A Ply-Split Braided Cotton & Flax Vessel.

(This item is now available to buy in my new Etsy store)

The Knotty Bear Etsy Store.

Created using my own hand laid Cotton and Flax cords.
The body of the vessel is braided in a SCOT (single course oblique twining) design in Cotton.
The rim is made using a Ply-Split Darned section using my own hand made Flax cord.
The ends or the cords are seized and then finished in a very short fringe

Total height: 205mm.
Body Diameter: 75mm.
Internal Diameter: 54mm
Overall Rim Diameter: 150mm.