13 knot cord

this is an interpretation of a traditional 13 knot cord (une corde a 13 noeuds), used throughout mediaeval times for construction geometry. 13 because 3,4,5, added up conforms to Pythagoras' theorem for finding a right angle triangle, with the  13th 'knot' being the one that closes the loop. 3,4,5 is still used frequently in construction today. there are many other geometric figures that this cord will create ( 2,5,5. triangle, 4,4,4. triangle, hexagon, 2,4,2,4. rectangle,  5,2,3,2. trapezoid et.c)

i wanted to make a really accurate one that i could mark with a pencil, hence the eyes, and gabriel richir suggested i use a 4 strand round plait round the eyes going to an 8 strand square in between. the sheer amount of braiding (4 metres) put me off for a few months but i eventually knuckled down.

         i used 3mm tarred marline as it has a very workaday feel and perfumes my tool chest.

? Does anyone have any ideas on how to improve it

       If one was done with knots instead of eyes, which knots?
    maybe 2 cords knotted either side of each point with MWK?
                                 give me feedback.

japanese marlinspike hitching

finally finished needle-hitching a sheath for the marlinspike 'spike' and had just enough length of the tarred hemp to put a 7px5b turks head to fit the loop on the handle with a marble popped in there. the great thing is the weight of the marble pulls down which closes the sheath -happy accident. i had 5mm extra cord after doubling the TH!

also wanted to include Gabriel Richir's book as i think everyone who has a love of traditional sailors' work should have it in their library - it's my most inspiring yet no instructions - they are available all over the net anyway.

fid

swedish fid made from a boxwood barrel tap, a bit stumpy but does the job quite well.
épissoir en buit fabriqué d'une vieille champlure.

bracelets

loop-braiding:
spiral 6-loop, spanish 7-loop in brown linen and natural cotton, 3 loop with tarred hemp, cotton.
loop detail -matthew walker loop closers or diamond knot.
buttons - starknots.
if any questions come up: terms, how to, et.c - add a comment, i'd be happy to hear from you.

coachwhipping

coachwhipping in 2mm hemp with ends covered by turks heads

hitching and grafting

have finally started learning the covering work i've been puzzling over and prevaricating about for months. i was really put off at first as its VERY slow and if you don't set it up right it looks crap. once you give up on thinking about time and get it looking halfway okay, it's highly addictive and i love it. I know it'll look better the more i do it!
from bottom:
needle hitching in antique italian 1.8mm tarred hemp
round turn stitch (tightened away from work) in 1.3mm hardlaid cotton
underhand round-turn grafting; 2mm h-l cotton fillers, 1.2 warp. type 2 6px7b pineapple above work and 5px4b th below. mix of beeswax and swedish tar slopped on to hide rough work!
overhand round-turn grafting, fillers: 1.3mm h-l cotton , warp: super fine linen thread