Long before there were such things as buckles and snaps, man had invented various kinds of knots and loops to tie his harness. He had also learned how to braid small strands of leather and other materials into strong cords or ropes.

Perhaps the simplest and least expensive form of leathercraft is that of braiding. There are many forms of this art, some of which appear quite complicated at first. Really, the method of braiding is simple, once you have the hang of it. Before going into the matter of how to braid, however, it might be well to consider some of the articles made by braiding. Here is a partial list of what can be made. Note how useful these articles are.

four-strand braiding: round and square

Hatband Lanyard Dog leash

Bracelet

Neckerchief slide Watch fob eight-strand braiding

Belt

Bridle

Quirt

Camera strap

Wrist-watch strap

Hatband

Bracelet

Four-Strand Round

In learning to braid with four strands, it is well to practice first with shoelaces. With two long laces, one brown and one black, you can practice to your heart's content. To practice with leather strands is expensive because they wrinkle with use and may have to be discarded.

Hang the two laces over a nail or through a ring, as in figure 1. Even the ends up, so that one half of the lace is on each side of the nail. Cross a brown strand (strand or thong are words used when speaking of one of the strips of leather or lace), over the black as in figure 2 and hold these two strands with the left thumb and index finger as in figure 3. Now reach between the loose brown strand and the two crossed strands in the center as in figure 4, and grasp the loose black strand on the left side.

FOUR-STRAND ROUND BRAID

Pull this black strand under the two crossed strands, bring it up between the right-hand (brown) strand and the two that are held in the left hand, and lay it down between these two center strands in the left hand as in figures 5 and 6. The same process is now repeated, reversing the hands. The index finger and thumb of the right hand hold the crossed strands in the center (black over brown), as in figure 8. Now reach down between the black strand on the left and the two center strands (figure 9) and secure the opposite brown string, bringing it under the braid, turning it down in between the two strands held in the right hand as in figures 10, 11, 12. You have now finished one complete operation and are ready to repeat it. Really, four-strand braiding is much like braiding with three strands. The difference is that each time you reach back for the strand that is farthest behind and bring it into the braid under the others.

Four-strand braiding may sound a little complicated at first, but with a bit of practice it can be done very rapidly. It is necessary to keep the braid tight by holding it in place with the thumb and forefinger of each hand in turn. You will learn to do this, also, as you practice.

When the necessary length of braid has been finished, it is well to roll the whole thing between two clean boards to smooth it out. Rolling is especially necessary with leather thongs.

By using different-colored leather or imitation leather, this braid makes a very attractive design for whistle lanyards, bracelets, watch chains or fobs, hatbands, and dog leashes. Imitation leather for braiding does not cost as much as real leather and it can be secured from most leather-supply houses in all the colors of the rainbow.

Four-Strand Square

A four-strand square braid is useful as a variation on chains or lanyards and it is easy to do. The main thing is getting it started properly. The pictures on page 216 show how, step by step, and the procedure should not be hard to follow. In starting the square from the round, hold the braid in the left hand so that the four strands look like those in figure 1, with the loose ends pointed outward. Now take one of the strands, any one will do, and lay it down between the two strands next to it, as in figure 2. Then, proceeding counter-clockwise, that is, in the opposite direction of the clock, lay the next strand over the first one and down between the next two as in figure 3. This same procedure is followed by the two remaining strands, the last one going through the loop left by the first strand as in figure 5. If you will now examine figure 6, it will be easy to see how the completed braid should look. The same operation is repeated over and over, carrying on the braid. After the first stitch, it is simply a matter of laying each strand straight back over the one next to it and sliding the last one through the loop. See figures 6 to 12.

How to Braid with Four Strands and How to Make a Turk's-Head Ending.

A variation on this braid can be made by laying the strands diagonally backward instead of straight back after the first stitch. This procedure makes a round spiral design that is attractive for variation.

After a few inches of square or round braid, according to the directions given above, the original round braid can be used again. There are many different combinations of these braids that can be used to good effect. If you wish to end with the spiral or square braid, the four ends are simply cut short and tucked in under the last stitch.

A smoothly sharpened stick about the size and shape of a pencil is a handy tool to have in all kinds of leatherwork. This tool, known as the marlin spike, is especially good to use in tying some of the knots described below. It should be made of hard, close-grained wood such as maple, ash, lemonwood, or yew. After the stick has been whittled into shape, polish it very smooth with fine sandpaper and then wax it lightly with beeswax to keep it from splintering.