the turkshead button or knot part 1

At the 2023 rawhiders gathering Mike Hickey and myself tried to explain the structure and mechanics of the turkshead. Once you understand the structure of the turkshead, and no longer have to memorise over/under sequences, you can easily enlarge it to however many bights and parts you want, and you will be only limited by your imagination and creativity

[@mikkosnellman]

Thanks for the clear instructions Jan. Though it might be necessary to point out that this logic works only for Turks Heads with even number of bights and uneven number of leads.

[@janboogaerts1616]

Yessir, great point !! With uneven number of bights on 1 end go over the last string you meet, and on the other end go under the last string you meet.

[@monika2970]

Cool! It's a bit of brain acrobatics because you initially hold the mandrell in your right hand and then switch. 😂But somehow simple and “sexy”! It seems a little different than how I once learned it. But the result is the same. I'll try it as you show it. THANKS!

[@janboogaerts1616]

you have to do whatever works for you. Everybody's brain is wired differently. I just tried to explain how my brain sees the structure and pattern of the turkshead, but bottomline, if it helps you, my mission is accomplished.

[@jeffnase1866]

Where would be a good place to order lacing needles?

[@janboogaerts1616]

I'm afraid I can't help you there. I don't use them for rawhide, and the one I use in this video comes from friend/cameraman Geert Willaert. I assume Weaver or Tandy have them.