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Celebrating
13 years
in business!
Y Knot Rope Tack
began in
March, 2007.
Thank you to my many customers for your support and loyalty!
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Madison, WI
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with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26
NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP PRODUCTS
Unique Trim ~ Leather Accessories
Custom Orders
Rope Halters, Lead Ropes, Long Lines,
Reins, Sticks & Strings, Hackamores,
Headstalls, Mecates & More
The same size knot (5part/4bite) on the same size rope.
Left is braided with the core.
Right is braided without the core.
6 part / 5 bite knot on 5/8" rope
Click on the pictures to enlarge
Mini Turkshead Knots for Halters and other small rope trim
Notice how the knot on the 5/8" rope has more zigzags than the knot on the 1/2" rope.
It is a bigger knot - larger diameter and longer length - so it is a better fit for the thicker rope.
Doubleweave - 3 colors
on 5/8" rope
Mini Turkshead Knots
Choose only 1 color per knot
Sliders only - are not attached to rope
Click on the pictures to enlarge
The much smaller turkshead knots needed for custom trim on 1/4" rope are mostly the same as the bigger knots with a few exceptions.
Basic Information on Turkshead Knots
If it gets too complicated... just scroll through and look at the pictures.
Doubleweave - 1 color
on 1/2" rope
Click on the pictures to enlarge
Please click here for Braiding Cord Color Choices and General Information
Doubleweave - 2 colors
on 3/8" rope
Dimensions All of the braided knots I make (except for the ring knots) are based on the turkshead knot. These knots can be braided in various sizes and/or lengths to fit the diameter of the rope they are braided onto. Without going into too much detail (I know it can be confusing!), the knots are made up of "parts" and "bites". The number of parts determines how long the knot will be (length); the number of bites determines how big around it is (diameter). The length and diameter of most turkshead knots are usually linked together. When you increase one dimension, the other increases also. So a knot that is bigger around (more bites), will also be longer (more parts). For this reason, I will choose the size of the turkshead knot that is appropriate for the purpose of the knot and the diameter of rope you have chosen. The knot has to be the correct size or it won't work.
Basic Button
I use this button mostly for lead ropes and long lines but I can also put them on mecates and other reins. It is a tripled Turkshead knot with the core and I refer to it as the "Basic Button" (BB). It is a bigger bulkier knot which is very durable - exactly what is needed on a lead rope. It makes an excellent stopper to keep the rope from sliding through the knot when attached to a rope halter. When using 1 or 2 colors in the button, the connection to the rope is very secure. The button is not going to come off the end - one strand of the braiding cord is inserted through the rope and the knot is braided from both sides. When 3 colors are used, the button will not be quite as secure. The 1 or 2 color button is best for lead ropes that will be used for intensive training. Any of the options is fine for reins or for lead ropes that will get a lighter workout. Along with serving the purpose of keeping the end of the lead rope or reins from sliding through the knot when tied to your halter, slobber straps, etc., they are also decorative and can be used to coordinate different pieces of tack.
Colors The pattern will show up differently depending on the colors you choose. Two darker colors - black and brown, hunter green and burgundy - will be more subtle. A lighter color with a darker color will create the most contrast or 2 bright colors will show off the details very well. If you want a solid color knot, it will be braided in the doubleweave pattern.
For pricing - go to individual product - custom trim pages
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Turkshead Buttons
Turkshead Button
This is basically the same turkshead knot as described at the top of this page - it's just on the end of a rope instead of in the middle of it. You can choose the same patterns, same color options, etc. Two colors are used for these knots - if you want just one color, I would suggest you choose the basic button. Because it is constructed differently, it is not quite as secure as the basic button so it might not be the best choice for a lead rope that is going to get a lot of abuse. It is an excellent choice for mecates, and other types of reins. It is functional, but also very decorative.
The same information about turkshead knots detailed above applies to turkshead buttons. The only differences are that the end of the rope needs to be prepared for a button (I won't go into the details but you can be assured it is solid construction) and the button is then braided around the end of the rope and is always permanently attached (will not be a slider). It is also always braided with the core. This makes it sized right so it is more secure. I can make turkshead buttons in different sizes to finish halter tie ends, loop reins, lead ropes or other items. I will choose the correct size for the project - you just have to tell me what pattern and what colors. Some buttons are better suited for certain purposes so I will give you recommendations on that as well.
TURKSHEAD KNOTS & BUTTONS
Another factor in determining the dimensions of a knot is whether I leave the core in the braiding cord. This is one of the advantages of having a braiding cord with a core - I can use it with or without the core to create different effects. If I use it with the core - it will be a thicker, bulkier knot. If I use it without the core - it will be a flatter, smoother knot. I almost always braid turkshead knots that are placed along the length of reins or lead ropes without the core - the exception being when someone wants a bulky knot for a prominent marker, etc. I almost always braid turkshead knot buttons at the ends of ropes with the core. The knots are sized better to make the end buttons when the core is intact and the buttons are therefore more secure. If you don't specifically ask for something different, I will braid with or without the core as I normally do.
Extra Small Turkshead Knots
Choose 1 or 2 colors per knot
Doubleweave pattern only
Sliders only - are not attached to rope
Attachment As discussed on the main About the Custom Trim page, knots can either be permanently attached to the rope or braided as sliders so they will move. Most turkshead knots can be attached either way. I usually attach them permanently to the rope, but if you are unsure of where you want the marker knots on your reins or lead rope, I can make them as sliders so you can place them when you get the equipment.
Halter Tie-End Button
These are also the same turkshead knots / buttons - just sized smaller to fit on the end of a halter poll strap. Like the other buttons, the end of the rope has to be prepared so the button is secure but, unlike the other buttons, these are made without the core. Again, that makes the sizing right. You can choose the pattern and the colors - I will determine what size knot to make depending on the type of rope or cord the halter is made of. I include a matching tie end button at no cost with every bosalter halter but you can choose to add a tie end button to a "plain" halter as well.
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money."
Matthew 6:24 NLT
Pattern I make most turkshead knots "doubled" - meaning I make the skeleton knot first (the main structure), then follow the first strand around for a second time. I can also follow around for a third time, making a tripled knot. In some cases, I go around 4 times (the knot on the end of my sticks). [This also affects the dimension - the more "passes" around the knot, the bigger it becomes. This can be a factor as to what knot is the best fit but since I usually make most knots doubled or tripled, I will keep the discussion in this section to the pattern differences.]
I can make different patterns in the knot depending on how I braid the second strand:
- Doubleweave Pattern (DW) I simply thread the second strand through the knot beside the first strand - "following" it around the knot on the second pass. Choose 1 or 2 colors.
- Interweave Pattern (IW) I interweave the second strand with the first strand - which means going over a cord with the second strand when the first strand went under that cord. This is more complicated but it creates a very interesting pattern. (It actually matches the pattern of the pineapple knot if you want to incorporate both kinds of knots on your tack.) Because it takes more skill and usually more time, turkshead knots in the interweave pattern will cost a bit more. Choose 2 colors.
- Triple Pattern or Doubleweave 3 (DW3) This is a doubleweave knot that I follow around with a third pass. I can not do an interweave pattern with the triple knot. Since this knot also takes more time for the third pass, it will cost a bit more too. Choose 1, 2 or 3 colors.
5 part / 4 bite knot on 1/2" rope
Triple Pattern DW3
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Doubleweave Pattern DW
Interweave Pattern IW