Page 44 - Barbara Merry - The Splicing Handbook

THREE
Three-Strand Splicing Projects

These splicing projects are fun as well as practical, but shop carefully for your

rope so you don’t work for hours and then end up with a frazzled mess. If
necessary, spend a few cents more for good-quality, three-strand twisted rope or
small stuff.
Use ¼-inch (6 mm) nylon or spun Dacron for the key lanyard and leash and
collar; use manila or combination rope for the railing. Ask the salesperson to
unlay a short portion of the rope after heat-sealing or taping the three strands and
check to see that each strand holds its individual twist. If the yarns fly apart, or if
the rope does not retain its shape, search for better rope. Remember to ask the
salesperson to tape the rope to keep it from unlaying farther on your trip home.

KEY LANYARD

This is a simple, attractive lanyard to hold keys or a knife.

TOOLS & MATERIALS

Three-strand small stuff: 26 inches
(650 mm) of 3/16- or ¼-inch (5 to 6 mm) rope
Ring
Vinyl tape or whipping twine
Scissors or sharp knife
Ruler

A 26-inch (650 mm) piece of small stuff will give you a finished lanyard
length of about 12 inches (300 mm). Attach the ring using the ring splice with at
least five tucks; allow 6 inches (150 mm) for the splice. On the other end, form
the loop, allowing 8 inches (200 mm) for the decorative eye splice with five
tucks.

Directions for the ring splice and decorative eye splice are given in chapter 2.