Klydd wrote on Jul 14^th, 2024 at 8:32pm:


The cord is a 12 strand braid.  Fraying out all 12 leaves a tassel that's too fluffy.  I think...maybe I just need to make a longer sling...

Work with jute as it comes.
When you have your sling, run a lighter over it to burn off excess loose fibre then smooth it all with beeswax.

ScantPalaver wrote on Aug 24^th, 2024 at 2:09am:


   I start with jute twine.  I've never made a sling from jute fibers. 

Zud, that lighter tip was golden!  I've always kinda disliked the fuzzy look jute has.  Give me a day or two, I'll post a picture of a PoC I'm experimenting with.

I don't know how much detail has been lost resizing these, but I was thinking about using three strands for a sling, when you join the finger loop, most instructions say to group the corresponding strands and resume the three strand braid.  I wanted to experiment with what'd you get if you switched to a six-strand braid. 

I tried the "standard" braid pattern at first, but noticed that one side was larger than the other 'cause it had an extra strand.

Next I tried a six strand challah braid.  This has a lot of potential, it flexes easily one way, but not the other.

The last one I tried was a macrame interlocking braid.  It's wide and flat, which would make reloading easier, but I have some concerns that the strands end up too exposed.

I didn't wax them, but Zud's lighter trick certainly makes it easier to see the braid pattern (and any errors I made   ).

Has anyone tried this before, or has any six strand braids they'd recommend or an even strands braiding pattern that can be modified?