Splicing a 3 strand plait

[Seaweed]

Does anyone know how to splice a 3 strand plait back to itself to make a loop? I have googled & can only find fishing stuff for 8 strand round plaits. I tried just fugdging it but it came undone.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

Um.... I think there is a description in a book somewhere in this house, called the braidmakers bible. I'll look it out.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

No there is nothing. The book is about making horse gear and uses rawhide, so the techniques wouldn't be applicable to flax either. I can "see" in my mind how do do it as an eight. or even a four square braid at a pinch...., but eight would be better. Three wouldn't work, becuase there isn't enough substance to back weave and to make tight. Also, leather is different in that you work it wet, and let dry, so it shrinks and locks.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

I also searched under Hauncavelica sling braid but couldn't find anything. however, the pictures I have of that aren't 3 braid, and they won't form a loop :(

[Seaweed]

Three wouldn't work, becuase there isn't enough substance to back weave and to make tight This was the experience I had with the one I fudged as it worked its way undone. However, I have seen it done so it must be possible. Here is a picture
http://www.koruwebsites.com/kete/images/fullsize/blackkoeaeabkpk.JPG
I need to go see our theory person for our raranga course soon so I will ask then & post if I find out.

[MinorityView]

could the three strands actually be made up of more than one strand each?

it sort of looks like that.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

But that doesn't look like it's backweaved as I understand it. If it was, it would go through about an inch down, come up the inside, and be plaited back into the handle. That isn't done like that... it's hard to tell from the photo, but there appears to be light green along quite a way of the inside, just peeping over the top.

I went through every single weaving book I had, including some japanese ones, and there was no handles at al using backweaving techniques.

[Seaweed]

That is not a particularly good example. I have seen ones that make a big loop on the cast off plait which goes around the toggle. I have also seen ones that are used to secure the handles

eg
http://www.sbs.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/fms/default/science/about/departments/sbs/student_information/schools/nzplants/fibre/cordy_kete17690(400).jpg

I get so confused with this sort of stuff.

[Seaweed]

I got a kids knotting book from the library which has drawings of splicing a rope end with 3 strands. I will see if I can get my head around it, see if it works & then will post some pictures from the book.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

I can't see how back splicing a rope will work with flax unless you go back up, just about to the top of the loop...