Yet another novice level post on Balearic-style slings and Andean-style braiding

Zigzags!  I've done a zig and a zag and have started the next reversal.  I'm trying to do about six repeats between reversals, though I'm not keeping track all that closely.  My consistency is improving, yay!  And I think my understanding is improving, too.  I guess I'll find out as I keep braiding, start the next braid, etc.

I've also made another sling using the same instructions and methods as last time.  Hmmm, the sling is a bit less than a meter long, so I do think I'll make the next one longer.  The first one is also a bit less than a meter long.  This second one has a slightly longer pouch but a slightly shorter finger loop.  The release cord is about an inch longer than the retention cord (when I fold everything in half around the middle of the pouch).  I had thought the two would look and feel a bit different from each other, but no, they don't!  So I guess I have a ways to go before I'm content with the consistency of the braiding.  Or maybe this is good enough and I'm too picky.

I might soak this one to see if that makes a difference in how it looks, whether it stretches out or evens up, etc.

Dunno what I'll make next.  Maybe do this one again, but maybe a bit longer and maybe with 5 strands instead of 6.  Or 10 instead of 6.  Or try a braided sling with a woven pouch.  I guess I'll see what inspiration strikes.

I'm also starting to feel like I want to start some tablet weaving projects.  I'm not sure how much longer it'll be until I can set up my little weaving area again.  The sling-braiding and the fist-braiding don't take up much room and can be done anywhere.  For various reasons, weaving takes up more space and needs a dedicated spot where I can walk away for a few hours or a few days and things can be resumed without too much trouble.

I believe that's it for me today.

A simple braided sling

My weaving area is still unavailable.  But I guess the sling-braiding itch got too hard to ignore.  Thus, a sling!

It's made from 6 strands of 48 lb hemp, in a simple 3-strand braid with a split pouch.  I followed the Dan Bollinger tutorial on slinging.org, here: https://slinging.org/20.html

His instructions are for a 1m sling.  He recommends starting with strands that are 2.8 times the length of the desired finished length.  So, for the 1m sling (39"), cut 6 strands at 110" each (280cm).  Braid the central finger loop for about 4", then join.  Braid about 14", split for the pouch.  Each side of the pouch is about 4" long, then rejoin and braid another 18".  Do an overhand knot (or some kind of sturdy knot) to finish, then trim the ends.

Hemp is hard on my poor fingers!

My braiding is not as consistent as I would prefer.  I'll have to see how well the sling works...  I'm also wondering if I should try waxing or oiling it, and what effect that might have.

This is similar to the Balearic style in that it has a simple pouch made from splitting the cordage for braiding and then rejoining.  A lot of slings use a leather pouch, or they sew a bit of leather or something to these split braids.  Or they weave a pouch that is incorporated into the braiding at each end.  Most of the tutorials I saw for Balearic slings had the release cord tapering at the far end, sometimes ending in a tassel made from much thinner material.  Many tutorials also did 5-strand pigtail braids rather than 3-strand.  And some were made from grass that was twisted into cordage as the braiding proceeded.  That made it easier to increase or decrease the size of the braids.  Some had thicker braids near and in the pouch area, for example, in addition to narrowing the release braid.

I still plan to do slings made from animal fiber (or maybe just acrylic yarn at first, and then animal fiber) and the fancier square braids, with various styles of woven/braided/sewn/etc. pouches.

But these quick bast-fiber braided slings are cute, too.

And yes, even with the delightfully amateurish construction, I am exceedingly pleased with myself.  I'll get better with more experience and with the feedback from actual real-life use.