Here is my newest sling.  I got some #72 seine twine from the Memphis Net and Twine company (look them up on the web. Full mail order and lots of cool stuff including cannon ball molds for up to one pound.)  Anyway, this thing is the most substantial sling I have made.  The cords are stiffer and bigger.  I hope to throw some concrete balls with this one soon.

And, while I am still no whipartist, I figured out how to plait the 8 strands at the loop into a square plait without doubling up on the cords.

Jeff <>< - who likes the black and white motif

Now I'm confused.  To make the loop, obviously done in 4 strand, you folded it over and plaited the 4 strands back over the original braid, using the original as a core?  It looks like an 8 strand braid to me but it's hard to tell, because the twine is confusing to look at.  Anyway, hope you understand my question.

Ben, who is still impressed, having developed skill over 10 long years of whipmaking.  And who still likes the black and white motif.

Looks nice Jeff  You've got more patience than I do 

Ok I get it.  Good thinking.  I was starting the work from the wrong end in my imagination.  The 16 round is as easy as anything else.  The difference between round and square is whether you have a core or not.  If you use a 1 strand core on a 8 strand braid, you'll still have a square braid.  But if you use a 4 strand core on an 8 strand braid and it will probably turn out round.  If you use an 8 strand core on an 8 strand braid you'll have gaps in your work. 

The 4 strand braid involves under 1 over 1 on each side.  The 8 strand involves under 2 over 2 on both sides, the 12 involves under 3 over 3 on each side.  The 16 is under 4 and over 4.  and the 36 strand braid is under 18 over 18.  You can go under over under over under over to do a single diamond pattern, and the possibilities become endless.  If you go under 2 over 2 under 2 over 2 in 16 strand you get 8 seams instead of just 4.  So your braid would then be octagonal instead of square, whether you had a core or not.  You can do the same with 8 going under and over 1 strand. 

The important thing is to remember when using a core is that you don't have to braid tight.  Pull hard, braid loose.  The braid tightens up above where you are working.  The actual weaving of the strands can be done loose as long as you pull the strands tight prior to placing them in the right order.  It's far easier to do this with a core.  You keep the core in your hand as you work and it helps to keep track of what you're doing.  With whipmaking you set your work on a loop about chest height and just walk backward as you braid for hours and hours.  Half your strands fall to one side of your core and half to the otherside.  The exception is of course a braid without a core.  You have to keep constant tension on these.  The red and black slings that I made in the picture gallery use simple 8 strand braids over a 4 strand core.  I did them in 2 or 3 colors.  Very simple stuff.  I used regular 4 ply yarn.  The new sling uses 16 strand Peruvian braids done in a totally different manner.  To be technical, a braid with a core is a plait. 

Plaiting large #'s of strands is far easier than braiding them.  In otherwords, using a core makes working large #'s of strands a lot easier than not using a core.  Even if the core is only 1 strand, it gives you something to divide things up, and something consistent to hold onto.

                                       Ben, who likes to talk about braiding.

Well, Ben, you have succeeded in totally frying my last synapse with those explainations.   

I would love to learn to do those things, though.  Is there an online resource which has illustrations?  I am very illustration oriented.  A good book that is not too expensive would be nice also.

The eight strand plait is probably most interesting at the moment.  I could make a sling with a four strand loop and an eight strand plait all the way through the pouch to the release end.  My current method makes it square, but I want it round.  What about some more explaination on the round stuff for me.  Maybe by e-mail to cut down on space here.

I am particularly confused about the core part.  Maybe I am using a strand as a core after all.  How do I make a four strand core in the eight strand plait?  What does it look like?

Anyway, e-mail me and we will see if I have an anurism.

Jeff <>< who's brain feels a bit like silly putty right now

Ben,

Looking forward to the information.  I found a short video on the web that showed how to make a snake whip from nylon cord.  I did this, hoping it would inform my plaiting.  It did not. All I got was a very light nylon whip that is almost impossible to crack, and makes the arm and shoulder sore from swinging.

Sorry about the depressing times.  Jesus has not left the throne, however.   Even King David despaired, but did not loose hope.

jeff <><