Tablet Weaving * Ply-Splitting * Mindfulness * Permaculture
Please see my Kits page to order kits for braids, ornaments, and baskets. See my Tools page for gripfids (ply-splitting needles).
Artist-Made Cords and Cord Kits for Ply-Splitting
I make all of the cords in my studio using a Bradshaw cordmaker attached to an electric drill. Cords shown in the photos below are 4-ply cords. For children, or those with impaired vision, the easiest cords to use are 2-ply cotton cords, 5/32" diameter.
Cotton Cords
Metallic/Cotton Cords
Paper Cords
Cord Kits
When ordering cords, please be sure to specify the following on the order form:
- Fiber content (cotton or paper)
- Number of plies (4-ply or 2-ply)
- Diameter (3/32" or 5/32")
- Color (from the color charts for cotton or paper)
- For 4-ply, 2-color cords, specify ply order (AABB or ABAB)
Prices include shipping. Prices effective September 2011, and are subject to change.
Individual Cotton Cords
Color Chart for Cotton Cords
I make the cotton cords with 15% shrinkage during IOT, which gives them a medium amount of twist. If you want firmer cords, please specify 20%.
One-Color Cotton Cords
Prices include shipping.
110" cords ..... $2.50 each
Read about how to tape and cut cords into shorter lengths.
Choose colors from the color chart for cotton cords.
When ordering, please write "one-color cotton cords", number of plies (4-ply or 2-ply), diameter (3/32" or 5/32"), and color name(s).
I recommend a size 6 gripfid for the 3/32" cords, and a size 8 gripfid for the 5/32" cords. Order a gripfid.
4-Ply Two-Color Cotton Cords Plied ABAB
Available in 4-ply or 2-ply, with diameters of 3/32" or 5/32"
Choose any combination of two colors from the cotton color chart.
Prices include shipping.
110" cords...... $2.50 each
Read about how to tape and cut cords into shorter lengths.
When ordering, please write "two-color cotton cords plied ABAB", number of plies (4-ply or 2-ply), diameter (3/32" or 5/32"), length (27", 55", or 110"), and color names.
I recommend a size 6 gripfid for the 3/32" cords, and a size 8 gripfid for the 5/32" cords. Order a gripfid.
4-Ply Two-Color Cotton Cords Plied AABB
Available with diameters of 3/32" or 5/32"
Choose any combination of two colors from the cotton color chart.
Prices include shipping.
110" cords...... $2.50 each
Read about how to tape and cut cords into shorter lengths.
When ordering, please write "4-ply, two-color cotton cords plied AABB", diameter (3/32" or 5/32"), length (27", 55", or 110"), and color names.
I recommend a size 6 gripfid for the 3/32" cords, and a size 8 gripfid for the 5/32" cords. Order a gripfid.
Individual Metallic/Cotton Cords
One-Color Metallic/Cotton Cords
Available in 4-ply or 2-ply, with diameters of 3/32" or 5/32"
Gold metallic yarn plied with one of these cotton colors as shown in the photo:
Gold, California Gold, or Beige.
Prices include shipping.
110" cords...... $3.50 each
Read about how to tape and cut cords into shorter lengths.
When ordering, please write "one-color metallic/cotton cords", number of plies (4-ply or 2-ply), diameter (3/32" or 5/32"), and color name of the cotton (Gold, California Gold, or Beige).
I recommend a size 6 gripfid for the 3/32" cords, and a size 8 gripfid for the 5/32" cords. Order a gripfid.
Individual Paper Cords
Color Chart for Paper Cords
This color chart shows 4-ply and 2-ply paper cords, about 1/8" diameter. I use Wraphia II paper ribbon by Berwick to make these cords. These are the cords I used for all of the baskets in my book How to Make Ply-Split Baskets.
Wine
Burgundy
Terra Cotta
Gold
Sage
Olive Green
Black
Kraft
Oatmeal
One-Color Paper Cords
Available in 4-ply or 2-ply, with diameter of 1/8".
Choose colors from the color chart for paper cords.
Prices include shipping.
120" cords ..... $3.25 each
Read about how to tape and cut cords into shorter lengths.
When ordering, please write "one-color paper cords", number of plies (4-ply or 2-ply), and color name(s).
I recommend a size 9 gripfid for the paper cords. Order a gripfid.
Two-Color Paper Cords
Available in 4-ply or 2-ply, with diameter of 1/8".
Choose any two colors from the color chart for paper cords.
Prices include shipping.
120" cords ..... $3.25 each
Read about how to tape and cut cords into shorter lengths.
When ordering, please write "two-color paper cords", number of plies (4-ply or 2-ply), and color names. If ordering 4-ply, indicate ply order, AABB or ABAB.
I recommend a size 9 gripfid for the paper cords. Order a gripfid.
Cord Kits
Cotton Cord Kit -- 16 Colors
Available in 4-ply or 2-ply, with diameters of 3/32" or 5/32"
If you can't decide what colors to order -- how about one of each? This kit contains one cord of every color on my cotton color chart (except for the neutrals -- sold separately below).
Prices include shipping.
55" cords ...... $ 28.00
110" cords ..... $ 40.00
Read about how to tape and cut cords into shorter lengths.
When ordering, please write "cord kit - 16 colors", number of plies (4-ply or 2-ply), diameter (3/32" or 5/32"), and length (55", or 110") .
I recommend a size 6 gripfid for the 3/32" cords, and a size 8 gripfid for the 5/32" cords. Order a gripfid.
Cotton Cord Kit -- 7 Neutrals
Available in 4-ply or 2-ply, with diameters of 3/32" or 5/32"
This kit contains one cord of each neutral on my cotton color chart.
Prices include shipping.
55" cords ...... $ 12.25
110" cords ..... $ 17.50
Read about how to tape and cut cords into shorter lengths.
When ordering, please write "cord kit - 7 neutrals", number of plies (4-ply or 2-ply), diameter (3/32" or 5/32"), and length (55", or 110") .
I recommend a size 6 gripfid for the 3/32" cords, and a size 8 gripfid for the 5/32" cords. Order a gripfid.
How to tape and cut cords into shorter lengths
I have used box sealing tape, mailing and storage tape, and duct tape, which adheres better to hairy yarns such as wool and even yak hair. These tapes are approximately 2" wide. I cut 1"-2" long sections, and then cut those lengthwise into thirds for the 5/32" cords, and into quarters for the 3/32" cords. Aim for lots of contact between tape and yarn, and not very much contact of tape-to-tape. The tape is made so that it doesn't stick very well to itself, and if you overlap a lot, it will just come loose. Press a piece of tape onto the cord, and then lightly pinch and roll so it is tight and smooth, like the end of a shoelace. Don't pinch too hard, as repeated pinching will eventually cause repetitive stress injury to your hand and arm. Instead, after lightly rolling the tape onto the cord, burnish the taped area against a table edge. This will help the tape adhere to the yarn. Then cut in the middle of the taped area.
This page updated September 9, 2011.