Dice Bags & Shaker Cups

How Do All ;-)

Complimentary Colours.

Back in 2004 on an ice climbing trip to Ouray Colorado I happened into Ouray Toys, as any grown man would do! and found a game called Pocket Farkel (also known as 10'000 among other names) and marketed by Legendary Games inc. 

This came in a little plastic box printed with the Ouray Toys logo and not only became a great souvenir of a great trip, but would become my most favorite game ever and has accompanied me on many climbing and non climbing trips over the years.

I was trying to think of a unique and personal birthday gift for my girlfriend, and as it just so happened she seemed to like Farkel too, so I decided to make her a Ply-Split Braided dice shaker cup and a fully reversible dice bag, along with a set of Chessex Vortex Dice in a nice swirly Teal colour to match the bag, also a set of instructions and some tiny 7mm dice, just for fun.

This Dice Shaker cup is based upon one that I made whilst on holiday in Kettwig Germany last year. This one is made from my own hand made, 4 strand paper cords, made with my cord making machines. the technique used to braid the cup is Ply-Split Braiding, and is Single Course Oblique Twining, SCOT for short.

the pattern is arranged to resemble converging train tracks. also Pictured with the Teal, Chessex Vortex dice.

The bottom of the dice cup. 

The dice bag, reversed.

The dice bag, right side out.

Hidden Treasures! 

This is the afore mentioned dice shaker cup which I made whilst on holiday in Kettwig, made from left over scraps of my hand made paper cords from another project. Ply-Split Braided in SCOT. pictured with multi-coloured dice.

The bottom of the dice cup.

The Prototype dice bag I made first to get the dimensions right, this one came out a little small but will do for me ;-) made from recycled fabric from old combat pants.

A Bag O' Joy!

Take care,
Barry ;-)

More Gripfids

How Do All ;-)

I just finished covering a set of Gripfids for a customer in Switzerland.

The tools are 6mm, 8mm and 10mm diameter, suitable for up to 4mm, 6mm and 8mm cords respectively, 

 The tools have a solid Maple handle, covered with a beautiful Pineapple knot.

The smallest is a 35p x 30b, 5 Pass, Type 5 Pineapple knot, the next is a 36p x 32b, 4 Pass, Type 4 Pineapple knot, and the largest is a 45p x 40b, 5 Pass, Type 5 Pineapple knot.

A close up of the Pineapple knot handles.

I made some Pojama's (covers) for the Gripfids from odd ends of climbing rope with the core stripped out.

practical or not? who knows ;-)  

For more info about, and pictures of Gripfids see the link below:

Grip Fids

And to see some of the items I have made using Gripfids, check out my Ply-Split Braiding page

Please contact me if you have any questions: knotty (dot) bear (at) gmail (dot) com

Please check out my Etsy Shop for more items.

Thank you for looking.

Take care,

Barry ;-)

Some Ditty Bag Bodies, For Sale!

How Do All ;-)

I have just added some more items to my Etsy Shop

New Style Ditty Bag Bodies!

Here I have one Brand New! Ditty Bag body for sale.

The body of the bag is made from 12oz cotton Duck, and is 300mm x 175mm. the canvas is fully hand seamed and the base has a double seam for durability.

This bag has No eyelets installed yet, this is to give you the option of adding your own knot buttons as I have done on several of my bags, However if you would like a set of hand sewn Grommet eyelets installed, I can do this for you at an extra cost of £20.00

Please contact me first before ordering if you would like this option so I can change the listing price!

Clearance! 

Old Style Ditty bag Body!

This Clearance Ditty Bag body is one of my older models which I am putting out there for any budding knot tyer that might like to fashion their own ditty bag without the hassle of making the canvas body of the bag for themselves.

The only difference between this older version of my Ditty Bag bodies and the newer version is a slightly longer stitch length.

Please contact me if you have any questions: knotty (dot) bear (at) gmail (dot) com

Please check out my Etsy Shop for more items.

Thank you for looking.

Take care,

Barry ;-)

Cotton Seine Twine and Ditty Bag, For Sale!

How Do All ;-)

I have just added some more items to my Etsy Shop

All Sold Now, Thank you for looking ;-)

#30 Cotton Seine Twine

This is about 3mm diameter, with a firm lay and very easy to work with. 

900 gram spool (2 lb) , 286 meters (878 feet)

dimension, length, and weights are approximate.

#21 Cotton Seine Twine 

This is about 2mm diameter, with a very firm lay and very easy to work with. 

900 gram spool (2 lb) , 460 meters (1512 feet)

Note: dimension, length, and weights are approximate

Twisted Drawn Thread Ditty Bag

The body of the bag is made from 15oz cotton Duck, and is 300mm x 175mm. the canvas is fully hand seamed and the base has a double seam for durability. the body features twisted, drawn thread work, made by removing the weft from the canvas and bunching the remaining warp strands together and then twisting them into several small cords, these are further split and twisted into other cords, and some nice hard wood beads finish of the design.

The grip is of Cotton, and contains; Double Crowning, Pineapple knots in Hemp and Mathew Walker knots. The hanging loop is covered in Cotton Solomon bar. the grip has a coat of my own mixed natural bleached shellac to stiffen and help protect the grip from every day grime.

The slider (bag closure knot) is a Pineapple knot, and the toggle on the base is a Star Knot.

There are 6 beautiful Star Knots around the top of the bag, to which the lanyard legs are buttoned the splices on the lanyard legs are further covered with Turk's-Head knots.

The legs of the lanyard are Flax.

The bag can be converted to a shoulder bag by buttoning Star Knot toggle on the base of the bag through one of the two differently sized hanging loops on the end of the lanyard.

Please contact me if you have any questions: knotty (dot) bear (at) gmail (dot) com

Please check out my Etsy Shop for more items.

Thank you for looking.

Take care,

Barry ;-)

Some Grip Fids for Sale!

How Do All ;-)

I have just added some of my hand made Gripfids to my Etsy Shop

This is a must have tool for Ply-Split Braiding, and is also and ideal tool for all other kinds decorative knot work.

The Gripfid is made from seamless Stainless Steel tube, and has a long slender hollow point, which is formed in such a way that it will grip onto a cord end that is inserted into the tip. which holds the cord whilst pulling the tool back through the work piece.

This tool can also be used in a similar way to a marlinespike or Swedish fid and will make a fantastic addition to any knot tyers tool kit.

I have these tools tools in 6mm, 8mm and 10mm diameter suitable for up to 4mm, 6mm and 8mm cords respectively, some are available in longer or shorter lengths.

 The tools are supplied with either a naked solid Maple handle, or covered with a beautiful Pineapple knot.

Below is a 5 Pass, Type 5 Pineapple knot, with a special variation of the standard interweave. 

 Above and below you can see how the tool is use for Ply-Split Braiding. 

The tip of the Gripfid is easily passed through the ply's of the cords, then the cord is inserted and the tool withdrawn pulling the cord with it. and building a beautiful braid.

This tool can be used in this way for splicing as an alternative to the Swedish fid or for tying multi strand decorative knots.

Please contact me if you have any questions: knotty (dot) bear (at) gmail (dot) com

Please check out my Etsy Shop for more items.

Thank you for looking.

Take care,

Barry ;-)

Sailmakers Roping Palms. For Sale!

How Do All ;-)

These Sailmakers Roping palms were hand made my myself using only the highest quality materials. 

A Sailmakers Roping palm is used for sewing the bolt ropes on to the perimeter of a traditional sail, it is also used for sewing on heavy chafing gear of leather to the sail and for sewing in grommets and rings to the sail. The palm is also used for adding seizings, and putting palm and needle whippings onto ropes.

(Palm #2)

These palms are made with heavy leather and natural rawhide and are lined with plush goats skin. the dimpled iron (needle plate or eye) is machined from solid brass and the whole palm is hand stitched.

(Palm #2)

Once made, the palm is softened in in water and then shaped to the hand, where it takes on its Kidney Bean shape, and then worn until dry, after which the palm will be set in the perfect shape for good, or until you soften it to reshape it.

(Palm #2)

These palms have seen very little use and would make a great addition to any Knot Tyers Ditty Bag.

(Palm #2)

The palms will need soaking for a couple of hours in room temp water then placed into a plastic bag for several hours until pliable, then the palms can be shaped, stretched and moulded to suit your hand. 

There is a new, long length of heavily waxed rayon twine joining the ends of the palms so you can secure the palm at the right size for your hand.

(Palm #2)

Now the business end of the deal!

The price for this item is £22.50

Postage is £3.95 Royal Mail, First Class Recorded in the mainland UK.

All other destinations will be sent by "airsure" or "international signed for" if the service is available for your location, please contact me for an accurate shipping quote if outside the UK, as shipping costs may vary considerably depending on location.

Contact Me: knotty (dot) bear (at) gmail (dot) com

These items are also available to buy via my

Etsy Store 

You can also view my other items for sale here:

My Work For Sale.

Thanks for looking.

Take care,

Barry ;-)

(Palm #1) Now SOLD