Handmade Garter Ties version 1

[brewerpaul]

I like the pattern. It opens up many intriguing possibilities to pick up several colours of the tartan. One question though, how did you tie them?

I use a double overhand knot and flatten the knot best I can. Other options are a single knot with the ties tucked under or over as seen on this you tube vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MbrNtYGS6g

[bdkilted]

I'm impressed. Looks like you may have a side business, catering to us men of substance.

[Mickey]

Beautiful work! Seems like a shame to hide those under the hose!

[kiltedjoss]

Beautiful. Very nice work.

[bonnie heather]

Wow! Paul, the garters you made are beautiful ! And the loom you devised is really ingenious!
I'm very, very impressed.

[pipesndrumsnun]

How cool! Great work!

[Mr.Charles Anthony]

Readers:
Yes, Indeed, a very fine job of looming the ties. I own an Inkle Loom(which looks a good deal different from the one shown) and am weaving away at it. trying to get it to look HALF as good as the ones shown!!
It is not hard to learn, the patterns are created by where the colours are placed. The Colours in the heddles do not move, the others do. I made green tie for my bunnet, with red highlights. Came out OK(no pics. sorry).
As to tieing them, try a square knot; as to flex, using a good quality wool yarn, then wrapped twice about the leg, with a snug knot, you get a bit of 'give'without your leg turning blue.
As an Historical Aside: The Inkle Loom is a product of the Arts & Crafts Movement in Europe in the 1930's & the loom came to the US just before WW2. It is the direct decendent of the much older tape looms(which made the original hose tyes(before the days of elastics). This is a great little loom: a quick Google will find you some on line plans to make a loom-if you are handy with a saw &tc.
A very good set of garters!
CSA

[Paul Henry]

...snip...
As an Historical Aside: The Inkle Loom is a product of the Arts & Crafts Movement in Europe in the 1930's & the loom came to the US just before WW2. It is the direct decendent of the much older tape looms(which made the original hose tyes(before the days of elastics). This is a great little loom: a quick Google will find you some on line plans to make a loom-if you are handy with a saw &tc.
A very good set of garters!
CSA

jist a note of correction....
The inkle loom was NOT a product of the 1930's ( and the Arts and Crafts movement was at least 30 years before that) it dates back at least 400 years, and was even mentioned in Shakespeare.
They are great little looms for making tapes and ties , which could be joined together to make wider cloth as well.

[brewerpaul]

Thanks for all the comments, compliments and talk about the Inkle loom. The loom is very easy to use and very creative. While I plan to make more sock garters my girlfriend is planning to make carriers for her cell phone, a wrap for her french press to keep the coffee warm and decorative borders for some of the sweaters she has. Below is an Inkle loom that looks more like the ones you can buy. They are very easy to make and there are plans on the net for them. The one below is the one my girlfriend made. She had never done any woodworking so I put her to work. I have a few years experience in architectural millwork and cabinet making so hence my wood working abilities. She did a nice job and got exposed to a full size table saw, dado blades, forsner drill bits, drill press, counter sinking screws, belt sander and pad sander, router and stand up belt sander. These looms make great belts, purse straps, wrist bands or watch straps and if I lived in Nepal I could make them for yak bells that hang around the necks of yaks.

Jennifer's first woodwork project Inkle Loom. This loom will handle 2 yards of warp where my large one handles 3 times as much.

[saxandpipes]

Wow, well done!

Cheers

Michael