Tablet Weaving and Ply-Splitting Books, Tools & Kits
Kits for Ply-Split Braids & Ornaments Learn the techniques of ply-split braiding by using these kits.
To order PDFs, please e-mail me and arrange for a PayPal invoice.
A note for teachers: If you would like to use any of these instructions in your classes, please e-mail me for details.
These designs are all in my book, How to Make Ply-Split Braids & Bands. I will add kits for the other braids and bands in the book as I have time.
You can choose from the following when you order:
Kit with instructions and artist-made cords in your choice of colors (color chart)
Artist-made cords only in your choice of colors (color chart) (if you already have the instructions)
You can go to my Cords page for details about ordering individual cords.
See my Tools page if you need a gripfid (the ply-splitting needle) or the Bradshaw cordmaker.
Click on any thumbnail to go directly to that braid or ornament, or just scroll down to read about them all! All of the ply-split braid kits below have step-by-step photos and detailed instructions.
Note: Structures used in the project appear in parentheses. SCOT=Single-Course Oblique Twining, POT=Plain Oblique Twining, TLOI=Two-Layered Oblique Interlacing.
Straight SCOT
Ply-Split Braid on a Keyring
$7.00 ..... Kit with instructions, artist-made cords, and a keyring
Las instrucciones para este proyecto están también disponibles en español.
This is the easiest and most straightforward ply-split braid for beginners. The structure of this braid is SCOT -- single-course oblique twining. A colorful braid makes it easier to find your keys! I also attach ply-split braids to my luggage.
The step-by-step instructions include 4 pages of text and 8 black-and-white photos.
I will make 4-ply cords from 10/2 perle cotton (4 cords, 27" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice. Choose any colors from the color chart for cotton cords.
You will need a size 6 gripfid to make this ply-split braid.
Please choose from the following when ordering:
The Kit, write "Straight SCOT Braid Kit" and color names ($ 7.00). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Straight SCOT Braid" ($3.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Straight SCOT Braid" and color names ($4.00). Waves (Shaped SCOT)
Ply-Split Braid on a Keyring
$7.00 ..... Kit with instructions, artist-made cords, and a keyring
Las instrucciones para este proyecto están también disponibles en español.
This is a great project for beginners, and is the first thing I teach in my beginning ply-splitting workshops. The structure of this braid is SCOT -- single-course oblique twining.
The step-by-step instructions include 4 pages of text and 8 black-and-white photos.
I will make 4-ply cords from 10/2 perle cotton (4 cords, 27" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice. Choose any colors from the color chart for cotton cords.
You will need a size 6 gripfid to make this ply-split braid.
Please choose from the following when ordering:
The Kit, write "Waves Braid Kit" and color names ($ 7.00). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Waves Braid" ($3.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Waves Braid" and color names ($4.00).
Click on the image below to watch my YouTube video, "Make the Ply-Split Waves Braid".
Meander (Shaped SCOT)
Ply-Split Braid on a Keyring
$7.50 ..... Kit with instructions, artist-made cords, and a keyring
Las instrucciones para este proyecto están también disponibles en español.
This is a shaped SCOT braid that I designed for my booklet Great SCOT! A Beginner's Guide to Ply-Split Braids in Single-Course Oblique Twining
The step-by-step instructions include 6 pages of text and 13 black-and-white photos.
I will make 4-ply cords from 10/2 perle cotton (3 cords, 55" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice. Choose any colors from the color chart for cotton cords.
You will need a size 6 gripfid to make this ply-split braid.
Please choose from the following when ordering:
The Kit, write "Meander Braid Kit" and color names ($ 8.25). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Meander Braid" ($3.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Meander Braid" and color names ($5.25). Three-Strand Celtic Braid (SCOT in 3 sections)
Ply-Split Braid on a Keyring
$9.00 ..... Kit with instructions, artist-made cords, and a keyring
I had this idea in Fall 2008 -- create the appearance of Celtic braids with ply-split braiding. Of course, the cords go through other cords, not over and under. The structure is SCOT (Single Course Oblique Twining) with extra twist between the splittings at the edges. Very simple to do, and imagine the possibilities! For example, each strand could be a different color, and you could expand the idea to more strands.
The step-by-step instructions include 6 pages of text and 15 black-and-white photos.
I will make 4-ply cords from 10/2 perle cotton (6 cords, 27" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice. Choose any colors from the color chart for cotton cords.
You will need a size 6 gripfid to make this ply-split braid.
Please choose from the following when ordering:
The Kit, write "Three-Strand Celtic Braid Kit" and color names ($ 9.00). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Three-Strand Celtic Braid" ($3.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Three-Strand Celtic Braid" and color names ($6.00).
Four-Strand Celtic Braid (SCOT in 4 Sections)
Ply-Split Braid on a Keyring
$11.00 ..... Kit with instructions, artist-made cords, and a keyring
I had this idea in Fall 2008 -- create the appearance of Celtic braids with ply-split braiding. Of course, the cords go through other cords, not over and under. The structure is SCOT (single sourse oblique twining) with extra twist between the splittings at the edges. Very simple to do, and imagine the possibilities! For example, each strand could be a different color, and you could expand the idea to more strands.
The step-by-step instructions include 6 pages of text and 16 black-and-white photos.
I will make 4-ply cords from 10/2 perle cotton (8 cords, 27" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice. Choose any colors from the color chart for cotton cords.
You will need a size 6 gripfid to make this ply-split braid.
Please choose from the following when ordering:
The Kit, write "Four-Strand Celtic Braid Kit" and color names ($ 11.00). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Four-Strand Celtic Braid" ($3.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Four-Strand Celtic Braid" and color names ($8.00). Zig-Zag Braid using One-Color Cords (Shaped SCOT)
Ply-Split Braid on a Keyring
$8.00 ..... Kit with instructions, artist-made cords, and a keyring
The zig-zag is a nontraditional ply-split braid shape by Peter Collingwood. The shape is shown on Plate 38 of his book The Techniques of Ply-Split Braiding. The structure is SCOT (single-course oblique twining).
The step-by-step instructions include 8 pages of text and 17 black-and-white photos.
I will make 4-ply cords from 10/2 perle cotton (4 cords, 27" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice. The braid shown has 2 Navy, 1 Yale Blue, and 1 Sea Green. Choose any colors from the color chart for cotton cords.
You will need a size 6 gripfid to make this ply-split braid.
Please choose from the following when ordering:
The Kit, write "Zig-Zag Braid using One-Color Cords Kit" and color names ($ 8.00). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Zig-Zag Braid using One-Color Cords" ($4.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Zig-Zag Braid using One-Color Cords" and color names ($4.00). Zig-Zag Braid using Two-Color Cords (shaped SCOT)
Ply-Split Braid on a Keyring
$8.00 ..... Kit with instructions, artist-made cords, and a keyring
The zig-zag is a nontraditional ply-split braid shape by Peter Collingwood. The shape is shown on Plate 38 of his book The Techniques of Ply-Split Braiding. The structure is SCOT (single-course oblique twining). The cords for this braid have 2 colors, plied Dark/Light/Dark/Light. The stripe pattern is created by splitting the 2-color cords in a specific way.
The step-by-step instructions include 8 pages of text and 15 black-and-white photos.
I will make 4-ply cords from 10/2 perle cotton (4 cords, 27" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice. Cords for the braid shown are made with Navy and Sea Green, plied Dark/Light/Dark/Light. Choose any two colors from the color chart for cotton cords.
You will need a size 6 gripfid to make this ply-split braid.
Please choose from the following when ordering:
The Kit, write "Zig-Zag Braid using Two-Color Cords Kit" and color names ($ 8.00). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Zig-Zag Braid using Two-Color Cords" ($4.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Zig-Zag Braid using Two-Color Cords" and color names ($4.00). Chevrons (SCOT in 2 sections worked on a V-fell)
Ply-Split Braid on a Keyring
$9.00 ..... Kit with instructions, artist-made cords, and a keyring
There are several photos of this traditional design in The Techniques of Ply-Split Braiding by Peter Collingwood. The structure is SCOT (single-course oblique twining), worked on a V-fell for the body of the braid.
The step-by-step instructions include 6 pages of text and 14 black-and-white photos.
I will make 4-ply cords from 10/2 perle cotton (6 cords, 27" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice. Choose any colors from the color chart for cotton cords.
You will need a size 6 gripfid to make this ply-split braid.
Please choose from the following when ordering:
The Kit, write "Chevron Braid Kit" and color names ($ 9.00). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Chevron Braid" ($3.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Chevron Braid" and color names ($6.00). Arrowhead (SCOT in 2 sections with twined linkings)
Ply-Split Braid on a Keyring
$11.00 ..... Kit with instructions, artist-made cords, and a keyring
This is a traditional design found on the camel girths of India's Thar Desert. The structure of this braid is SCOT (single-course oblique twining) with twined linkings.
The step-by-step instructions include 10 pages of text and 27 black-and-white photos.
I will make 4-ply cords from 10/2 perle cotton (6 cords, 27" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice. Choose any colors from the color chart for cotton cords.
You will need a size 6 gripfid to make this ply-split braid.
Please choose from the following when ordering:
The Kit, write "Arrowhead Braid Kit" and color names ($ 11.00). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Arrowhead Braid" ($5.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Arrowhead Braid" and color names ($6.00). Twined Interlinking (twined linkings used exclusively)
Ply-Split Braid on a Keyring
$9.00 ..... Kit with instructions, artist-made cords, and a keyring
This braid uses a traditional ply-split technique called a twined linking. This technique involves two splittings with the same pair of cords: A splits B and then B splits A. When twined linkings are used exclusively, the result is a stretchy fabric, and the structure is called twined interlinking. Colors appear as stripes parallel to the selvedge.
The step-by-step instructions include 6 pages of text and 14 black-and-white photos.
I will make 4-ply cords from 10/2 perle cotton (6 cords, 27" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice. Choose any colors from the color chart for cotton cords.
You will need a size 6 gripfid to make this ply-split braid.
Please choose from the following when ordering:
The Kit, write "Twined Interlinking Braid Kit" and color names ($ 9.00). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Twined Interlinking Braid" ($3.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Twined Interlinking Braid" and color names ($6.00). Whirligig (Plain Oblique Twining)
Ply-Split Braid on a Keyring
$7.00 ..... Kit with instructions, artist-made cords, and a keyring
This design appears in the traditional camel girths of India's Thar Desert. A photo of a braid by Peter Collingwood which includes this design is shown on Plate 6 in his book The Techniques of Ply-Split Braiding. The structure of this braid is POT (plain oblique twining).
The step-by-step instructions include 4 pages of text and 9 black-and-white photos.
I will make 4-ply cords from 10/2 perle cotton (4 cords, 27" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice. Choose any colors from the color chart for cotton cords.
You will need a size 6 gripfid to make this ply-split braid.
Please choose from the following when ordering:
The Kit, write "Whirligig Braid Kit" and color names ($ 7.00). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Whirligig Braid" ($3.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Whirligig Braid" and color names ($4.00). Braided Twill (Plain Oblique Twining)
Ply-Split Braid on a Keyring
$11.00 ..... Kit with instructions, artist-made cords, and a keyring
A camel girth from India with this traditional design is shown on Plate 11 in The Techniques of Ply-Split Braiding by Peter Collingwood. The structure of this braid is POT (plain oblique twining).
The step-by-step instructions include 8 pages of text and 22 black-and-white photos.
I will make 4-ply cords from 10/2 perle cotton (7 cords, 27" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice. Choose any colors from the color chart for cotton cords.
You will need a size 6 gripfid to make this ply-split braid.
Please choose from the following when ordering:
The Kit, write "Braided Twill Braid Kit" and color names ($ 11.00). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Braided Twill Braid" ($4.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Braided Twill Braid" and color names ($7.00). Waffle (POT using 2-ply, 2-color cords with a full twist between splittings)
Ply-Split Braid on a Keyring
$9.00 ..... Kit with instructions, artist-made cords, and a keyring
This contemporary design is made with 2-ply, 2-color cords, worked in POT (plain oblique twining) with a full twist between the splittings. This results in a braid in which Light is dominant on one side, and Dark on the other. The surface texture looks like a waffle.
The step-by-step instructions include 6 pages of text and 13 black-and-white photos.
I will make 2-ply, 2-color cords from 10/2 perle cotton (6 cords, 27" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice. Choose any colors from the color chart for cotton cords.
You will need a size 6 gripfid to make this ply-split braid.
Please choose from the following when ordering:
The Kit, write "Waffle Braid Kit" and color names ($ 9.00). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Waffle Braid" ($3.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Braided Twill Braid" and color names ($6.00).
This is an easy project which involves repeating just two rows of SCOT -- a long row, and a short row (where the penultimate cord is pulled through). This causes one selvedge of the braid to be shorter than the other, and the result is a spiral.
The step-by-step instructions include 4 pages of text and 11 black-and-white photos.
I will make 4-ply cords (55" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice, 3 cords from 10/2 perle cotton and 1 cord from a combination of cotton and metallic yarns. Choose any two colors from the color chart for cotton cords. Also choose the color for the cotton to be plied with gold metallic -- your choice of Gold, California Gold, or Beige as shown in the photo.
The Kit, write "Spiral Ornament Kit" and color names ($ 10.50). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Spiral Ornament" ($3.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Spiral Ornament" and color names ($7.50).
Star Ornament (shaped SCOT)
Ply-Split Braid
$10.00 ..... Kit with instructions and artist-made cords
Shortly after taking my first ply-splitting workshop with Peter Collingwood in 1993, I designed this ornament. The structure is SCOT (single-course oblique twining).
The step-by-step instructions include 8 pages of text and 20 black-and-white photos.
I will make 4-ply cords (6 cords, 27" long, 3/32" diameter) in the colors of your choice, 4 cords from 10/2 perle cotton and 2 cords from a combination of cotton and metallic yarns. Choose any two colors from the color chart for cotton cords. Also choose the yarn color for the cotton to be plied with the gold metallic -- your choice of Gold, California Gold, or Beige as shown in the photo.
The Kit, write "Star Ornament Kit" and color names ($ 10.00). Instructions only, write "Instructions only for the Star Ornament" ($4.00). Cords only, write "Cords for the Star Ornament" and color names ($6.00). Color Chart -- Cotton Cords for Ply-Splitting
Straight SCOT 
Please choose from the following when ordering:
Waves (Shaped SCOT)
Meander (Shaped SCOT)
Four-Strand Celtic Braid (SCOT in 4 Sections) 
Zig-Zag Braid using One-Color Cords (Shaped SCOT)
Zig-Zag Braid using Two-Color Cords (shaped SCOT)
Chevrons (SCOT in 2 sections worked on a V-fell) 
Arrowhead (SCOT in 2 sections with twined linkings) 
Twined Interlinking (twined linkings used exclusively) 
Whirligig (Plain Oblique Twining) 
Braided Twill (Plain Oblique Twining) 
Waffle (POT using 2-ply, 2-color cords with a full twist between splittings) 
Spiral Ornament (shaped SCOT with long and short rows) 
Star Ornament (shaped SCOT) 
