Instructions for an 8-strand Square Braid

This braid is common all over the world, and is frequently used in slings. It is a good braid for sling cords since it is a tight and compact. It is essentially an 8-strand version of a 4-strand round braid. This type of braid can in fact be made with any multiple of 4 strands.



For the start of the braid, hold 4 strands in each hand as shown.



The outside right strand is the first to be moved.



Bring the outside right strand around behind the braid, and up through the middle of the the left strands.



Bring it back to your right hand, and place it on the inside of the other right strands.



Now the same procedure will be done with the outside left strand.



Bring the outside left strand around the back of the braid, and up through the middle of the right strands.



Place it in your left hand, on the inside of the other left strands.

This process of moving the outside strands back around, up through the middle, and over to the inside, is repeated for the length of the braid.

Copyright 2009 by Timothy Potter