Begin Braiding 1b
Fill Gap
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Begin braiding no1 pdf file
The fill gap braid is very popular but it requires a special board which you have to make yourself.
Take a square of firm cardboard (about 7 cm to 10cm square).Cut off the corners evenly and cut a narrow notch in each side. Push a pen or knitting needle through the centre of the card to make a smooth hole for 7 strands of thread to go through
Seven threads are required, leaving one slot empty. You can try with knitting wool to start with. To begin with, use 5 main colours and 2 strongly contrasting ones. For normal thicknessess, you need threads one and a half times as long as the braid you want to make, plus about 20cm for the unbraided ends.
Put one thread in each of seven slots, push the ends through the hole and knot them right underneath the board.
Position the the board with the empty slot at 12 oclock then weave by taking the thread from the third slot to the right of the empty slot, out of its notch and then put this thread into the empty slot to the left.
Diagram Ann Dyer
The illustration above shows the direction arrow marked on the board and the number 3 as a reminder.
Keep repeating the process.
Ann Dyer recommends this method of working;
“Balance the board on your thumb and first finger which holds the tied ends of the threads. Later these fingers will hold the top of the braid, all the time easing the finished braid down through the hole, then tuck your next two fingers into your palm and pretend they don’t exsist. Bring all the threads together and slip them under your little finger. This gives you space to get hold of the thread you want under the board and stops them jumping out of the slots.”
For a very long braid, wind the threads on to cardboard bobbins.
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© The Braid Society 2006