Page 499 - The Ashley Book of Knots
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THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS
2976. FRENCH SINNET is a flat plat in which the strands have a
regular over-one-and-under-one weave. The French call it "TRESSE
ANGLAISE." As this has occasionally been translated literally in
lish books, it has caused some confusion. FRENCH SINNET is
tied with an odd number of strands but may be tied quite as satis-
factorily with an even number. In working it the strands are cus-
tomarily divided so that if there is an odd one it is placed with the
2977 1,'8 group that is held in the left hand.
FRENCH SINNET (I). The example given here is of seven strands.
With four strands in the left hand, take the upper left strand and lead
it diagonally down to the center, crossing its three sister strands alter~
nately under, over and under. It has now become the lowest member
of the right-hand group. Next take the upper member of the ri ht-
hand group (which now has four strands) and lead it to the Ie tin
the same order as before, under one, over one, under one. Repeat
these two operations until sufficient sinnet is made.
2977. SIX-STRAND FRENCH SINNET with three strands in the left
hand and three in the right. Lead the top left strand to the center
over one and under one. Follow with the top right strand under
one, over one and under one, and repeat from the start.
2978. DOUBLE FRENCH SINNET. This drawing illustrates a FRENCH
SINNET of five leads platted with doubled strands, ten in all.
2979. FRENCH SINNET (2). In the braid and trimming trades
ashore a different technique from 'fI, 2976 is used, which gives a
different character to the product, although it is structurally the
same. All the strands are held in the left hand and only the top
right strand is worked. This strand is led almost horizontally across
all the other strands, in alternate over-and-under sequence. Then
the next top right strand is treated likewise, and the process con-
tinued. The much shorter diagonal of the right strands is responsible
2980 for the changed appearance.
2980. The texture of sinnets based on FLAT and FRENCH SIN NETS
has a range of possibilities analogous to weaving and the range
1992 widens rapidly as the number of the strands is increased. But the
comparative narrowness of the sinnet limits the size of the patterns
employed. .
With eight strands (five in the left hand) lead the top left strand
under three, and over one to the center. Then lead the top right
strand over three to the center. Repeat the two movements.
2981. Six strands (three in the left hand). Lead the left strand
over one and under one. Lead the right strand under one and over
two. Repeat.
2982. Seven strands (five in the left hand). Move the left under
three, over one. Move the right under one, over one. Repeat.
2983. Seven strands (four in left hand). Move left outer strand
under two, over one, move right strand under two, over one. Repeat.
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