Instructions for a 4-strand Round Braid

Arrange the strands so that you have 2 strands in each hand as shown. When you start the braid, it doesn't matter which strands go where (unless you are following a color patern; see below), as long as they are arranged in the manner shown.



Let the outside right strand fall to the rear.



Pull the dropped strand up through the middle of the left-hand strands.



Bring it over alongside the other right-hand strand.



There are again two strands in each hand, and one fourth of a braiding cycle is completed.



Now drop the outside left strand behind.



Bring it up through the middle of the right-hand strands.



Then lay it alongside of the other left-hand strand.



This completes half of a braiding clycle. A whole cylce is completed when each of the four strands has been moved from the outside position in turn. Continue to repeat the steps until the braid reaches the desired length.

Here are a couple of paterns that are made with this braid. The method of making the braid is the same for any pattern; all that changes is the starting arrangement of the strands.



The spiral pattern on the left is made by having one light strand and one dark strand on each side. The braid on the right has all dark strands on one side and all light on the other, producing linear stripes.

Copyright 2009 by Timothy Potter