Braided Rope Reins

Since the weather has not been the greatest for riding I find myself spending these winter months doing little projects and my latest one I thought I’d share with you.

I know this is “English” leather country but I’m a cowgirl at heart and love the feel of a mecate or rope reins in my hands. The weight and lay of a good rope cannot be beat in my book and I decided to make one for myself.

Since I raise alpacas it seemed only fitting to make my new reins out of alpaca. Each cord I used to braid with is made up of 8 strands spun fiber (or yarn) this part requires a rope machine.  Each cord is made up of 8 strands; 2 strands per hook; a total of 4 hooks. These strands are kept under even tension and twisted counter clockwise up to 15% shrinkage and then counter spun clockwise around one another creating a rope cord. I made 6 of these cords and a 7^th to use as a core.  

Since I’m still new to rope making I haven’t yet mastered the art of twisting cords around a core into rope.  So I opted to do a 6 plait round braid around the core, back braided scissor snaps on each end and left the fringe on to a little character. 

I hope you enjoy my finished product!  Now I just need Mother Nature to behave so I can get out and use them!

Great video of how horsehair mecates are made. 
My rope machine isn’t nearly as fancy.  
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Tags: alpaca reins, Braided rope reins, making rope reins, twisting rope reins