I don't remember who taught this to me or exactly when, but it was at least 20 and maybe up to 25 years ago, and the person was an internet correspondent who was in the UK. I have no idea who she learned it from. Since it's an example of one of the types of narrow wares I'm enthralled with, and since I recently taught a class about how to make it, I am putting this on my blog.
It's known as the Fill The Gap braid, which is an appropriate description of how it's made. One uses some kind of disk (circular, square, etc.) with 8 slots and only 7 strands. The braid is made by jumping a strand over 2 strands to fill the gap, i.e., the empty slot. Repeat that same move (one strand jumps over two strands into the empty slot) until the braid is finished. The braid can be done in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. It's probably possible to switch directions mid-braid but I haven't worked out how to do it.
The Braid Society, a very worthy organization in general, has an elegant handout about this braid -- how to set it up, how to do it, ideas for future experiments. The downloadable pdf file is here. The pdf claims that it is based on a straw-plaiting pattern from the 1700s, but honestly, I have no idea what the real provenance is or what other variations of this braid exist from other cultures or times. It can no doubt be made in the hand. The disk version is nice because it clarifies the next move, the slots hold the tension, it can be put down and picked up easily, and it's very portable.
The Fill the Gap braid can be done by just about anyone who can follow directions, has sufficient hand-eye coordination, and can count to three (or even just two). It can be taught or learned in less than 5 minute for most people. It's kind of addictive because it's so simple and repetitive. The resulting braid is attractive and useful.
Just about any kind of yarn/thread/etc. can be used for the strands. Colors and textures can be mixed. Just about anything can be used for the disk, though I tend to use mid-weight cardboard (i.e. a bit thicker than a cereal box). When it wears out, I simply discard the disk and make another. The disk can be wonky and it can be any size that works for your hands and eyes and braiding material.
Anyway, I taught some people how to make this a few months ago. It has rippled outward, with my students teaching others and so on. This makes me happy.
The photo show a few disks from the class. Two of the disks have braids on them. I'm pretty sure one is clockwise and one counterclockwise. One is crochet cotton (sparkly!) and the other is generic worsted-weight acrylic yarn. The two finished braids that are in the photo are older. One is done from some old needlepoint wool tapestry yarn. The other is mixed yarns, probably all synthetics, including yarns of different weights and at least one of which is some kind of novelty/fuzzy yarn.
No comments:
Post a Comment