Fingerloop braid

Sample braid
Originally uploaded by darklordspet

I like finger loop braiding, but it's kinda hard on the fingers. There's constant abrasion as you keep the loops taught, swaping and weaving them from finger to finger. It's even worse when you have bicolored loops - each half is a different color and there's a knot that digs in to your fingers.

You can create some wonderful braids, but anything more than 60 cm is kinda hard. The knot is the anchor point, but to keep the pattern consistent and properly tensioned, you spread your arms wide with each loop swap to push that new cross over toward the knot. If you have short arms or you're doing something pretty long, you need a buddy to snug up at the far end.

Tablet woven text

Tablet woven Kona
Originally uploaded by darklordspet

My first attempt at tabletweaving text turned out far better than I anticipated. It's actually quite easy.I just followed the instructions, and lo, there be words! This is my proof of concept before I start a leash for Kona. Her current leash is a commercial nylon leash with screen printed "I <3 my bulldog" that the guys at Snug Pet Resort can never find when I go to pick her up. I figured I needed to create one that was distinctive and told the world who my little buddy truly is.

I'll keep working on the text (Gill Sans from Linda Hendrickson's *Please Weave a Message*) and work in the dog paw pattern she used on her custom leashes. I'm also planning to do the initial cap in Kona in some sort of brocade (glittery silver?), but I'll have to design the pattern myself. Problem is, this type face is only 24 tablets wide, and I'm sure any brocade of merit will have to be a bit bigger. Oh well, it forces me to think.