Class Handout: Two Strings At Once (Fingerloop Braid)

Fingerloop braid: Two Strings At Once

Lady Shannon inghaen Bhriain uí Dhuilleaín

shannon.dhuilleain@gmail.com

http://shannonofalltrades.blogspot.com

In learning and teaching Fingerloop Braid techniques, I have been heavily influenced by the notations and directions used in Compleat Anachronist issue #108: Fingerloop Braids.

Each step in a pattern consists of three essential pieces of information: the finger moving, the opposing finger being interacted with, and the nature of that movement and interaction. A few simple shorthand notations are used consistently throughout the patterns.

First, the fingers. The pointer, middle, ring, and pinky fingers are labeled A through D (the thumb is not considered in any pattern I have yet encountered). The hands are labeled L for left, and R for right. Therefore, a simple two letter combination tells you precisely which finger is being discussed.

Fingers can move through one or more other loops before interacting with the other hand; these directions will be written out in full in each pattern.

Loops may be taken “reversed” or “unreversed.” If it is taken “reversed,” it winds up on the new finger upside-down or flipped over, so that the strand that was above is now below.

For loops taken “unreversed,” the orientation is the same on the new finger as on the original.

The pattern we will cover today is “2 Strings Att Once.” A transcription of the directions was recorded by Greg Lindahl and then translated into modern English by Zoe Kuhn Williams.

The Transcription: “To make 2 strings att once. Take 3 boes on one hand and 2 on the other then worke through both boes taking the top of the loer fingers alike.”

The Translation: “To make 2 strings at once. Take 3 bowes on one hand and 2 on the other then work through both bowes taking the top of the lower fingers alike.”

Zoe then provides step-by-step instructions, based on this translation:

Place 1 bowe each on BCR and ABCL.

Move AR through BCR and take CL UNREV.

Walk down L bowes.

Move AL through BCL and take CR UNREV.

Walk down R bowes.

Repeat.

This pattern can be changed slightly to create a single, thicker string instead of two thin strings. Instead of taking CL and CR UNREV, you simply take them REV instead:

Place 1 bowe each on BCR and ABCL.

Move AR through BCR and take CL REV.

Walk down L bowes.

Move AL through BCL and take CR REV.

Walk down R bowes.

Repeat.

You can also combine the two patterns to create a string with buttonhole-like openings along its length. To do this, begin with the REV pattern for twenty repetitions or so, then switch to the UNREV for an equal number of repetitions. Continue to alternate until you've reached your desired length. The actual number of repetitions in each set will vary depending on how large or small you want the holes, and how much solid string space you want between them.

Resources

Kuhn Williams, Z., & Swales, L. (2000, July). Fingerloop Braid. Compleat Anachronist, (108).

Kuhn Williams, Z., & Swales, L. (n.d.). Fingerloop Braids. Retrieved September 14, 2016, from http://www.fingerloop.org/