This creates a bosal-type nose piece so I call these "bosalters".   There are two options for the braided trim:  Interweave (Bosal) Braid where the cords are interwoven; or Double Weave Braid where the second cord follows alongside the first.  Both are true braids - not just a cord wrapped around the rope. Choose two colors to create unique combinations.   The lacing cord can be used with or without it's core.  The noseband is thicker and the braid is a little more open when made with the core.  The braid is tighter and the diameter smaller without the core - this version takes longer to braid so therefore costs more.  

Note:  Kangaroo and calf leather lace is finer - thinner and not quite as wide as the lacing cord - so in order to get the same coverage and length, the noseband braiding has to be longer.  This of course takes more time and with the leather lace being much more expensive per foot to begin with, bosalters made with kangaroo and calf leather lace cost quite a bit more.  They are quite stunning, though!

This is similar to the bosalter trim but is called a Cowboy Knot.  (Most customers want these knots braided with lacing cord but I can also make them with leather lace - see note below.)  They can be made with different numbers of "bites" to fit on different diameters of rope.  The 2-bite knots are best around 1 or 2 strands of 1/4" rope - halter cheek trim,  browbands, etc.  For reins and leads, the 3-bite  knot will make a solid braid on 1/2" rope  whereas the 2 bite knots will make a more open braid allowing the rope color to show through. It is just a matter of personal preference. 

I normally double the knot using the double weave braid so you can choose 2 colors.  In some instances, they can also be tripled - in the double weave braid - using up to 3 colors (price will be higher).   I can also make them with the interweave braid in 2 colors.  I generally use the lacing cord without the core when braiding these knots on reins and leads but when a "bulkier" braid in desired, I can use it with the core.  

The length is determined by how many wraps - called parts - are taken around the rope when starting the braid.  On reins (with lacing cord): a 2-part / 2-bite knot (2p2b) is about 1 1/2" long; a 3-part / 3-bite knot is about 2" long; a 4-part / 2-bite knot is about 3" long.......  you get the picture. 

I coat the smaller knots made with lacing cord on reins and leads with rope sealant to protect them from snags, etc.  This stiffens the knot so I do not coat some of the decorative trim on halters and browbands - they are not usually subject to as much flexing and "abuse" as reins and leads.  I do not coat the longer knots either - the ends can be buried under a longer portion keeping the braid secure.

Note:  Kangaroo and calf leather lace is finer - thinner and not quite as wide as the lacing cord - so in order to get the same coverage and length, the knot has to have more parts and bites.  This of course takes more time and with the leather lace being much more expensive per foot to begin with, knots made with kangaroo and calf leather lace cost quite a bit more.  But if you are looking for something special or very "Cowboy", the leather lace is the way to go!

Small Cowboy Knot on Halter Cheek Piece (2p2b)

Small Cowboy Knot on Reins - Lacing Cord (2p2b)

Small Cowboy Knot on Reins  - Kangaroo Lace (3p3b)

Small Cowboy Knot on Reins - Lacing Cord (3p3b)

Medium Cowboy Knot on Browband (4p2b)

Long Cowboy Knot  on Reins (6p2b)

Halter Cheek Piece Trim with Kangaroo Lace (8p2b) 

X Long Cowboy Knot  on Custom Saddle Horn Spanker (8p2b)

These can be added to reins, browbands and other items.  There are two options:  Small (Spanish Ring Knot) or Medium (Headhunter Knot).  Only 1 color is used to braid these knots.  They can be fixed to the item so they won't move or I can make them as "sliders" on button loops and connecters.  They work great as center markers for reins!

Small

Medium

Small Ring Knots on Halter Cheek Piece

Spanish Ring Knots on 1/4" rope - Calf leather lace in brown, Kangaroo in natural

Headhunter Knots on 1/4" rope - Calf leather lace in brown, Kangaroo in natural

These knots can be made with a variety of parts and bites to fit various diameters.  They are the base knot which other, more intricate knots are made on.  They can be doubled or tripled (the number of times the cord is "followed" around the knot) to create different effects.  Choose 1 color or up to 3 depending on if the knot is doubled or tripled and also what size rope it is on.

Doubled 4p3b - on halter

Doubled 5p4b - on reins

Tripled 5p3b - on bridle

Herringbone on halter cheek piece

Herringbone on reins

On lead ropes  

I make this tripled Turkshead braided knot with polyester lacing cord - very durable and maintenance-free.  I normally use just one color but since it is tripled, you could choose up to 3 colors for a custom lead rope.  The button is not going to come off the end - the lacing cord(s) are secured to the rope before the knot is braided and everything is then dipped in rope sealant for a durable finish.  These are decorative but also serve the purpose of keeping the end of the lead rope from sliding through the sheet bend knot when tied to your halter - just a little extra security.  

Tripled 5p4b Turkshead Buttons on lead ropes

I can make a variety of turkshead knots or herringbone knots in different sizes to make appropriate sized buttons to finish halter tie ends or loop reins.      

Doubled 5p4b Turkshead Button on halter tie end 

Herringbone Button on halter tie end

Pineapple Knot Buttons  

(Sometimes called Gaucho Knots)  

They can also be braided along the length of reins, browband, etc.  The base knot underneath gives it the rounded shape.

Note: the 7 part kangaroo knot is about the same size as the 5 part lacing cord knot.

This style is best for loop reins if you plan to use them with slobber straps.  The diameter of the knot is about 1" which will fit through most slobber straps if they also have a slit.  

The tassel cords and braiding cords are secured to the rope then a doubled turkshead knot is braided over the end.  The knot is made of 2 colors.  The tassel can be 1 color to match the reins or multiple colors to coordinate with the knot and the reins.  Since the turkshead knot is only doubled instead of tripled, the weave is a bit open but this keeps the diameter smaller so it will be easier to fit through the hole on slobber straps.  I normally make the tassels about 7" long but I can make them any length you want.

This style is made only with lacing cord, not kangaroo or calf leather lace.

Tassels with 

Doubled Turkshead Knots

Either of these styles of knot and tassel work well for mecate reins or loop reins that will be tied to a halter or bosal. These knots are fairly large and may not fit through slobber straps but on mecates, the popper end can be threaded through on both straps.  I have also made custom lead ropes with a tassel instead of a popper.  

The tassel can be made any length - I usually make them about 9 - 10" long for mecate reins.  The tassel cords and braiding lace are inserted through a base knot which is tied near the end of the rope.  A tripled turkshead knot or a 7-part pineapple knot with no core is braided over the end.  (See descriptions above.)  

I make my tassels with lacing cord instead of simply fraying the end of the rope. The frayed, fluffy tassel looks nice until you actually use your reins on the trail where they pick up burs and all sorts of debris that is hard to get out.  The lacing cord may pick up some burs but it will be much easier to get them out.

Pineapple knots can be made with leather lace or lacing cord.  Turkshead knots and tassel cords are made only with lacing cord.  As noted in the Cowboy Knot section, pineapple knots braided with kangaroo and calf leather lace will be more expensive.

Tassel with Tripled Turkshead Knot 

Tassel with Pineapple Knot - Lacing Cord (7p)

Tassel with Pineapple Knots - Kangaroo Lace (7p)

(The small tassel pictured with the ruler has just a loop instead of a connector - the customer is going to put it and 2 others on her vest to coordinate with her tack!) 

Small Tassel with connector

Medium Tassel with connector

Small Tassel with loop