Introduction: Simple Grafting in Cord

Or how I covered the handle of a home- made fid in cord.



Having some free time on my hands and a steel fid I made from
a converted centre punch, I decided to cover the handle in cord.

Thanks to the tutorial on http://www.frayedknotarts.com for the
basic method, I was able to do this quite quickly.
Heres my step by step guide to doing it based on that tutorial,
with a few quirks and cheats because it is a short length


What is grafting?
"This is a very pretty finish for just about any cylindrical object: Looms on oars, certain  splices in line, around a mast, on a pipe-stem in sailtwine,on a needlecase, or a  bellrope, the uses are endless. It is intended to provide a protective cover for something that would ordinarily become chafed with usage or to fatten up a detail like the grip on a ditty-bag lanyard."
        source: Frayed Knot Arts Grafting Tutorial

Terms:
The WARP is the long line which will circle the work
The WEFTS are the Short lines

Step 1: Whats Needed for This Project

What I used:
3 mm cord (similar to paracord)
1.5 mm cord (similar to the one that is used for blinds)
Knife (once again, the sheeps foot Opinel, but any sharp knife will do)
Clear rubber cement (not essential, but useful)
Electrical tape (also not essential, but useful)
Small pair of pliers

Something to cover (pen, piece of bamboo etc or in my case, a steel fid)

Step 2: How to Do This

Howto Do it
Make a four inch loop with the warp line, over hand knot it and cut off the line
Strip the core out of the thicker cord. (makes it easier to work)
Measure the length of the object, and add 2 inches extra just in case.
Work out the number of pieces that will comfortably fit around your object, then add 1 (this
will make the over and under alternate as you go around.
Cut line in lengths double what was measured.
Run a small bead of glue around where the start will be, glue weft lines in place on the bend allow to dry then wrap a couple times in electrical tape.
Take the warp line (I didn't measure it, just pulled off a length but didnt cut it from the
roll)
Make a slip knot near one end, slide this under the wefts until snug against the tape.

Now the fun starts...
Weave the warp over and under the weft lines, alternating as you go.
After three complete turns, Pause and check that you haven't skipped any lines and tighten the whole thing up.

Carry on going, until you are near the end
(Its not difficult, just mind numbingly repetitive)

Run another bead of glue along the finish, and press the weft lines into it, give a quick wrap of tape to hold them in place until its dried (or until you come back to it after making coffee, and staring out the window)
Remove the tape.
Take the loop we made in the beginning, place it against where the warp line came out last, and make six tight loops around the object before cutting the line and threading it into the knotted loop.
Pull on loop so the line moves under the whipping and out the other side, trim neatly.

Remove the tape from the top of the object, and whip the top in the same way (If you holding the object in your left hand, with the top point to the right, lay the line so the end points right.
Place the knotted loop next to this and wrap the line six times to the right, cut the line leaving a short end, place throught loop and pull loop and line out under the whipping so it ties itself off)
Well that was as clear as mud - look Here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_whipping for clearer instructions and pictures of this.


Trim off the excess, and coat in a clear varnish to protect.

Step 3: Finished Product

Now that was pretty simple, if a bit time consuming. 
For longer lengths I'd stick to the more traditional way found on the Frayed Knot Arts website.

Step 4: Bonus: the Slip Knot

This was mentioned near the start as how to attach the warp line to the object:

Heres how to tie it:

form a p shaped loop in a line near the end
putting fingers through the loop grab the longer side and pull back through, tightening the knot as you go

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