Adding string/rope to my work

[Randy Anderson]

I want to move along the learning curve with enhancements to my work and like the look of braided rope/cord, holes and burn lines in difference combinations. It's also something I think will be popular at my local makers markets. I've only made a few so far and since I had a big spool of natural jute string on hand that's what I used. There are lots of different kinds of leather cords and braided natural string available. Any inputs on ones that work better, look better, easier to work with? Any tips on tying off and securing the ends when done? I simply pulled it snug then carefully put some CA glue where the rope and wood meet up in the hole. If you look inside you can see my initial big starter knot and ends I've cut off. Not great and would like to be a bit more tidy inside the vessel. I plan to do the same to some bowls so certainly critical there.

 

[William Rogers]

I can’t be critical on something I like.
there can be a lot of variation to your initial idea. That is some nice looking wood.

 

[Tim Connell]

As to knots and tying, there are lots of online guide to knots for different purposes, might even pick up a Boy Scout book on knots.

As too materials, there are more materials than I can name, not to mention colored yarns to add a different dimension. Also consider using wire, copper, steel, stainless... Can get art wire in various gauges and colors. Don't limit yourself to single strands either. Can braid it, twist it with a drill, burn it with a torch, hammer it flat, etc. Nice thing about wire, you can get it through holes only slightly larger than it's diameter, and it stays in place easily. I just tuck ends into the vessel with a drop of CA.

 

[Timothy Allen]

The double-overhand stopper knot is, in my opinion, a fairly compact relatively good-looking knot for stopping a line from pulling through an opening -- https://www.animatedknots.com/double-overhand-stopper-knot I use it on the ends of my sheets and halyards on my sailboats.

But I was thinking, why not leave your ends long, and after weaving your cord all the way around and tightening everything up, tie the two bitter ends off to each other (inside the vessel, or outside if you want to make the knot a feature). Then your cord would be self-secured without need for any glue. I guess it might be tough to tie off on the inside if you have a narrow opening to the vessel....

 

[Rick Crawford]

You might also consider leaving the cord long after the knot, and then teasing it open, like a tassle.

 

[Steve Tiedman]

From the bicycling world, using twine in the handlebar wrap process. Pretty slick. The twine comes in at about 2-1/2 minutes of this 5 minute video. Below the video link is a PDF link to the twine process.
https://www.rivbike.com/pages/handlebar-wrap-and-twine-finish

(They use a couple/few coats of shellac on the cotton bar tape and twine, more talk about that at this website.)

 

[John Torchick]

For all kinds of knots, look at this site. www.animatedknots.com

 

[Dave Hulett]

I want to move along the learning curve with enhancements to my work and like the look of braided rope/cord, holes and burn lines in difference combinations. It's also something I think will be popular at my local makers markets. I've only made a few so far and since I had a big spool of natural jute string on hand that's what I used. There are lots of different kinds of leather cords and braided natural string available. Any inputs on ones that work better, look better, easier to work with? Any tips on tying off and securing the ends when done? I simply pulled it snug then carefully put some CA glue where the rope and wood meet up in the hole. If you look inside you can see my initial big starter knot and ends I've cut off. Not great and would like to be a bit more tidy inside the vessel. I plan to do the same to some bowls so certainly critical there.


View attachment 37752

Nice Randy. I like it!

 

[Jeremy Christian]

I've only done anything like this once, so far. To dress up a knot (in the wood) that blew out during turning. I used waxed thread.

 

[Tom Lucas]

The problem with jute is that it deteriorates over time. I guess that's OK if you don't mind restringing after several years. But, there are dozens of rope/twine/yarn options using far nicer materials than jute. IMHO, Jute is garbage twine best used only to temporarily tie up plants in the garden. But it is cheap and readily available. The problem with the others is that it's hard to tell what you are getting from a computer photo. I'd like to find a brick and mortar that sold a big variety, but I haven't seen or heard of one. Or even the ability to purchase a sampler would be nice.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

@Tom Lucas , what about Hobby Lobby or Micheals?

 

[Tom Lucas]

@Tom Lucas , what about Hobby Lobby or Micheals?

Does Michael's have such a selection? I've never looked there.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

Don't know, but it would be worth a look if there is one near by.

 

[Randy Anderson]

On my list to go to Hobby Lobby. One not for from me. I suspect they have something - that place seems to have anything and everything for crafts work and hobbies. I get overwhelmed in there.

 

[JeffSmith]

I haven't used it the way you're using it, but have used rope/twine to secure lids of lidded bowls. I've used both hemp and cotton twisted twines 3mm to 5mm dia. The hemp twine is a little stiffer while the cotton is soft and gentler on the hands. Both seem to hold up well. I just ordered online - the cotton is commonly used for macrame. Photos show hemp twine on small bowl.

 

[Timothy Allen]

@JeffSmith you must have magents in the two wood pieces at the end of the cords on the top?

 

[JeffSmith]

@JeffSmith you must have magents in the two wood pieces at the end of the cords on the top?

Yep. Its a travellin' bowl.