This webpage is a copy of the comments received on a blog post on Ali’s original website, alibrown.co.nz. The blog post itself is now at “Weaving a four-plait cord”.

Comments on “Weaving a four-plait cord”

  1. anncharlotte Says:
    July 14th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

    Thank you Ali! I really enjoyed your workshop in Lyttelton and your website indeed. I’m sure I’ll see you again and will pass this on to my friends. Thanks again.

  2. Ali Says:
    July 15th, 2008 at 6:39 pm

    Hi Ann Charlotte
    I’m glad you enjoyed the workshop and thanks for your kind comments. Hope to see you again!

  3. Jan TeWao Says:
    January 19th, 2009 at 3:56 pm

    Hi Ali
    Is there any chance of showing how to make a simple kete for viewers

  4. Ali Says:
    January 19th, 2009 at 5:00 pm

    Hi Jan

    I’m not planning to do instructions for a simple kete on the blog but you can find instructions for it in the second book I mention on my Reviews page. The book is Maori Weaving by Erenora Puketapu-Hetet and it should be available in your local library.

  5. Susan Rowlands Says:
    March 30th, 2009 at 11:59 pm

    Thanks Ali.Great to find your site.

  6. Rewa Says:
    June 9th, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    Hi Ali

    Thank you so much for this site….I’d forgotten how to do the four plait and its refreshing to know its here.

    Kia ora and it is great to find your site.

  7. ash Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 10:44 am

    try it in poi

  8. Ross Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 9:32 pm

    Hi Ali,

    Came across your page when searching for clues on how to plait a 4 conductor handset cord for an antique telephone. It works too- thanks:-)

  9. Shelly Says:
    August 8th, 2009 at 9:22 pm

    Thanks so much for this site, I have been pain stakingly making a korowai for my daughter and needed a tie to hold it together and thought a four plait cord would do the trick nicely. Jumped online and here you were……awesome…..saved to my favourites

  10. kenzi Says:
    August 24th, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    hi the flax weaving is so good and help-ful

  11. Pauline Evill Says:
    November 4th, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    Hi I just learnt how to make a basket but have been struggling to make a rectangular one! I did the multiples of 4 ie: one side 12 and folded the 7th ( on both the longer edge - the opposites) then the other 8 and folded the 5th. But it didnt work.
    Hope you know what I mean!

  12. Ali Says:
    November 5th, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    Hi Pauline

    I’m sorry but it’s a little difficult to know where you are at with the corners from your description and I don’t want to give you other directions that may be more confusing for you.

    Are you able to look at Mick Pendergrast’s book Te Mahi Kete: Maori Flaxcraft for Beginners, as that has instructions on how to do a basket with four corners which may help you.

  13. Tanja Lenz Says:
    November 8th, 2009 at 4:16 pm

    Dear Ali,

    How much fun is this? Thanks so much, the instructions are great. I live in Sydney and I’m practising with an Australian native - a Dianella species and will try Lomandra longifolia next. There is a lot of New Zealand flax that grows here but not in my backyard. If you know of any resources in Sydney let me know.

    Cheers,
    Tanja

  14. Ali Says:
    November 9th, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    Hi Tanja

    Glad you enjoyed making the cord and it’s good to hear that the technique is working with different materials other than flax. I’m currently gathering information on different plant materials to use for making flowers so your comment is very useful, thanks.

  15. Johanna Chambers Says:
    October 8th, 2010 at 1:00 am

    this is great. my mums cousin is a master weaver and she got me into this i am now using flax for my GCSE graphics project.

    her name is Mandy Sunlight.

  16. Ali Says:
    October 10th, 2010 at 8:24 pm

    Thanks for letting me know about your graphics project. I hope it goes well! I’d love to see what you are doing if you have any photos to send me. Your mum’s cousin Mandy Sunlight does beautiful weaving and you can see images of some of her weaving is on my Links page.

  17. Flaxman Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 10:10 am

    Hi Ali, just wondering what knot or method that you would use to end the rope? Thanks.

  18. Ali Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    Hi Flaxman

    When I use the rope for a handle, I generally split the rope into two lots of two strips, push each set of two strips through different parts of the weaving of the bag at the right placement for a handle, and then plait the strips together with a 3 plait (using 2 strips as one for one of the 3-plait strips), to secure the handle in place. Otherwise I shred the ends once thay are inside the bag and then plait them. This makes for a strong handle.

    If I’m using the plait to make a necklet, I use some copper wire to wind around the end of the plait to make a jewellery clasp and make an eye on one end and a hook on the other. I also put a little bit of glue on the end of the plait before I put the wire on to make sure it stays in place.

    But maybe you just want to know how to end the plait itself in an attractive way! :-) I knot all the ends together in one knot and position the knot so it sits nicely against the plait, and then cut the ends off closely, or leave them out for a decorative end.

    Alternatively, I suggest you try a Crown Sinnet knot which makes for a more decorative effect.

  19. PETER COTTON Says:
    April 19th, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    HELLO
    I AM MAKING REPAIRS TO AN OLD MAORI ADZE AND NEED TO LOCATE SOME FLAX CORD FOR BOTH THE WRIST STRAP, AND THE BINDING TO HOLD THE STONE TO THE HANDLE
    IS THERE ANYONE WHO SELLS LENGTHS OF TRADITIONAL FLAX CORDS IN NZ PLEASE
    CHEERS PETER

  20. Ali Says:
    April 23rd, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    Hi Peter

    I don’t know of anyone but hopefully someone will see your comment and leave a reply.

  21. Fumi Carpenter Says:
    May 31st, 2011 at 6:52 am

    Just discovered this site. Thank you for your ever so generously informative responses. A fellow lauhala weaver just returned from Auckland and brought me a flax flower and a small supply of strips. Gorgeous! I think your book will be a present to myself very soon. Angels are a favorite project. I have a woven design that is hankering to be attempted in flax.
    Mahalo, Fumi

  22. Ali Says:
    June 4th, 2011 at 10:24 am

    Hello Fumi

    Thanks for your comments. I’d be interested to see your woven design once you’ve made it in flax. Do send me a photo when it’s finished.

  23. Jane Wilks Says:
    May 14th, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    Hi. I am binding a greenstone to make a necklace for my son. Can you please tell me how to make a simple toggle clasp out of plaited waxed cord.
    Many thanks

  24. Allison Says:
    July 4th, 2018 at 4:51 pm

    Hi Ali, I want to extend my cord to make it longer but I can’t remember how to add extra strands without the whole thing falling apart. I need to weave about 8mtrs. Can you help?

    Thanks

    Allison

  25. Ali Says:
    July 4th, 2018 at 5:18 pm

    Hi Allison, if you are weaving this four-plait cord, then add new strips in one at a time, so they are not all being added at the same time. Add the strip by weaving it together with the old strip for several turns. Start adding the first one before you need to and then add the others at intervals after that.

  26. Nelly Says:
    December 17th, 2019 at 6:30 pm

    Love your work. Do you have a demo video of it as well as of Kupenga Kete? Thanks

  27. Ali Says:
    December 21st, 2019 at 12:16 pm

    Thanks Nelly. No sorry I don’t have time to do demo videos. This blog post has information and illustrations on making the Kupenga kete.