A Short Splice
by Derek Beaufoy
EQUIPMENT: A Spike, a pair of snips (or a very sharp knife), some thin string. Some insulation tape is also useful.
- Trim the ends of both your broken rope and the new piece.
- Tie a piece of string around each piece of rope, about 6 inches from the ends.
- Unravel each rope as far as the pieces of string. A piece of insulation tape wound around the tip of each strand at this stage can be helpful.
- Marry the two together, so that the strands are alternate. eg, in this example they are alternately purple, then white, then purple etc.
- Tape or tie down one set of three strands to prevent them unravelling any further while you work on the other side. Holding the rope with the tied strands downwards, take one of the loose, untied ends, press it over to the left, lay it over the tied down strand on the left, and under the next, pulling it under and to the left. To get under the second strand you may need to use a spike. Do the same thing with the next strand on the left, and then also with the next.
- Now have a look at your work. Each of the loose strands should have gone over one strand and under another. These strands should be pointing outwards at an angle of 120 degrees to the next strand.
- Continue round, clockwise, weaving each strand over and under the one next to it. Keep the strands tight, and even.
- When you have woven about two inches, thin out each strand to about half it's thickness.
- Continue weaving in the same way for a couple of tucks with each strand.
- Turn your work around and tuck the other ends in the same way. Trim off any remaining ends and remove all bits of string and tape.
- Now for the best bit! Lay your finished splice on the floor, and roll it around under your foot.