Page 75 - Lindsey Philpott "The Ultimate Book of Decorative Knots"

braids and plaits 69

PLaiTs
For plaiting, I have tried to steer away from simpler
forms, branching out into more interesting weaves.
As more cords or strands are incorporated, some
startling and beautiful patterns appear that can
stand alone or be incorporated into a larger work.
There are many, many patterns that are available in
plaiting, especially with leather thongs for making
straps or other leather items.

Four-strand plait
There are at least a couple of methods of making 2
plaits, particularly for larger numbers of strands. Tuck the outer left under two to the right…
We’ll start with two methods for plaiting four cords.
Each way produces a distinct look. The first look is
a straight line of bights to each of four faces, each
bight having the same colour as the one it faces.
This differs from a four-strand braid which has a
twist along its length, although a four-strand plait
can also have a twist of colours that spiral down the
piece if you start with the placement of colours as
suggested in the caption to the second photo below.

Plait One

3 – and then wrap it back to the left, over one,

and settle it below its former mate.

1 start with four strands, evenly spread.

4 do the same from the right side, moving left

under the two wrapped strands…