Ply-split braiding is an ancient art that is practiced for making elaborate camel girths and other animal regalia of hand-spun goat hair, wool or sometimes cotton in northwestern India. It is a very rare technique in which one twisted cord passes through another twisted cord or cords splitting the plies of the latter cords (“splittee” cords). This is unlike weaving or many forms of braiding where cloth is formed by threads interlacing in an over-under sequence. Pattern is formed by cord color, and splitting order. Right now there is only one person practising this in India.
I got my hand on this technique with the help of a course we were offered in college. These works are some techniques I learnt in class and also my exploration with the material. I am still learning the technique and the work is in progress.
I got my hand on this technique with the help of a course we were offered in college. These works are some techniques I learnt in class and also my exploration with the material. I am still learning the technique and the work is in progress.
Small accessories bag done with two ply cords
Slant patterns done with two ply cords
Containers made with two ply cords
My explorations with quarter twist ply split braiding
Braiding three ply cords
My idea was to create a whole new style of using this technique. I wanted to make miniatures that could be used as toys, show pieces and key chains. I made these miniatures using clay and sticks. Later I ply split braided over them.
