The Gaucho Interweave

Probably the best reason for using a turkshead foundation and interweaving a second into it is the color patterns you can achieve by using different colors for each knot as there are easier methods of braiding these codings with a single string in one knot. The gaucho coding results in the color bands running lenghtwise across the body of the knot in contrast to those around the knot as in the herringbone coding.

Again we will use the basic process of the parallel path between the running end of the second knot and a part of the first but for this one we change sides at each bight and parallel the old part to one side going up and the other comming back down in each wrap. We still split each parallel pair as it is encountered in a manner to maintain the parallel path.

Symmetry

These knots in general exibit the symmetry inherent in their basis on a simple turkshead but they are asymmetric in one detail. The braid entry and exit one one edge is the expected two part crossing of the two pass coding but the opposite edge enters and exits with a single crossing. This is not noticible in a single knot without a close look but it enters into our braiding method and needs to be taken account when two knots are placed in close proximity on finished work to achieve a visual symmetry of the combination.

Counting in the Code

CC If you use a pinned mandrel of a circumference large enough to allow space for the interweave between the parts of the foundation (or posses an amazing degree of manual dexterity otherwise) you can use a technique of counting the code of the two pass structure into the foundation knot with the running end of the interweave that makes the parallel paths and splitting of pairs automatic.
The example here is a 7-part 5-bight knot but this technique works for any simple turkshead. Turn the knot so the perspective is a conventional coding and pass over any edge bight of the foundation with one over crossing. Then begin a sequence of under two-over two alternations counting both the vacant spaces ant parts of the foundation as you make the wraps. The running end of the interweave will fill these vacant spaces in a later wrap. Each wrap ends at the bottom with a single under crossing. This makes the sequence for any size knot to be O-1 U-2 X X --O-2 U-1.
This places the minor asymmetry at the bottom edge of the knot as we braid it. Notice that the parallel paths and splitting of parallel pairs as required for the interweave happen without any conscious effort on our part. Here we parallel the part on the left going up and on the right comming back down.

XX" This is the same template with three more wraps with the same sequence for each which completes the knot. Notice that you can start at any braid entry of either knot and count the complete pattern sequence of O-1 U-2 O-2 U-2 O-2 U-2 O-2 exit Reenter U-2 O-2 U-2 O-2 U-2 O-2 U-1. I specified to begin this interweave that you should turn the foundation so that you had a conventionaly coded perspective. If you should choose to work from the sobre coded perspective you would begin with an under-1 start and use the sequence above in the reverse order ( U-1 O-2 U-2 etc ).
If has been a while since you visited this site you might want to look at the amended material in lesson two about coding.

Copyright Sidney Wood 06/03/2007