Headcollars and Braided Leadropes

[ziggybea]

As some of you have probably realised I like sewing and knitting, and if I can combine that with ponies even better!  So when I saw Stacey's amazing braided leadropes, and heard the excited squeals and whinnies from my Julips and their "girls", I knew it was something I just had to try!  A quick search of the internet and I discovered that there were whole books on braiding - and being as I like books too I just had to order one - then I had to wait patiently for the postman (okay, impatiently!).  Finally my book arrived - sigh - so many amazing braids - where to start?  ~ Making myself a disk out of cardboard (good old cereal boxes!).  Then I raided my knitting bag and I was ready to go ~ it looked like a jellyfish or octopus with very long rainbow coloured tentacles - an octopus with repeatedly tangled tentacles!

I had some help along the way - though I'm not sure if the dogs were helping very much?!

But a while later I did actually have a leadrope - oops a rather long leadrope - braiding stretches! 

Now being skilfully modelled by Ponder - he whinnied the loudest, and it matched his headcollar.

And Max, even though you camouflage very well against a piebald pony I think Parkin's already spotted you!

I tried out some slightly thicker wool for the next leadrope, also an eight strand braid, which Minnie is showing off. 

I'm not sure who is taking who for a walk, Minnie or Nell!

[ziggybea]

I think that making braided leadropes might become addictive! 

Onto the next page of my book - variations of the eight strand braids...

Minnie and Skye modelling variations on the spiral pattern.

Tolly and Pop Bunny modelling the red and white dot pattern and the black and white vertical stripe. 

 Pop Bunny also wanted to show off his new "strawberries" rug with his "girl" Jessica.

Braided leadropes also come in handy as leads for the dogs though I think they all need some practice walking on the lead - argh! - more tangles!!!!

Mmm ... I wonder what's next ... 12 and 16 strand braids - lucky I've still got some headcollars needing leadropes - more tangles here I come!!!

[thelonehick]

They look great! What are you using for the threads? Unraveled yarn?

[juliporiginals]

You can make a flat braid with a square disk, probably not quite so useful for your Julips but still good fun to try and make!


Actually it may be good for head collars or Arab halters

[FarfraeFarm]

Jun 1, 2016 9:43:41 GMT juliporiginals said:

You can make a flat braid with a square disk, probably not quite so useful for your Julips but still good fun to try and make!


Actually it may be good for head collars or Arab halters

I made a flat braid using a round disk and the instructions for the square disk. I think the result would be nice for Arabian halters and western bridles

[ziggybea]

May 31, 2016 18:59:30 GMT thelonehick said:

They look great! What are you using for the threads? Unraveled yarn?

Yes, I raided my knitting bag!  I've tried stranding down various different yarns - a bit of trial and error, seeing what thickness braids they made, depending on how many strands are needed/used.  I found that one of my thinner wools didn't make such an even braid and it tangled repeatedly!  And the thicker wools made a leadrope that was too thick for my Julip riders to hold!

[ziggybea]

I'm looking forward to trying flat braids too (they're next in my braiding book after 16 strand, triangular and square braids).  I've already got an empty cereal box ready to cut out a square disk - I was thinking that a flat braid might make a good browband - but that means I'll have to try making a bridle, only ever made headcollars before.  And Skye says she'd love to be an honorary Arab and have an Arabian halter - she's already seen the patterns for beaded braids at the end of my book (what have I let myself in for?!).

[mumbleswan]

they look fab! lucky ponies