Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Turk's Head Bracelets

This afternoon I will be helping Captain Rob with an NCCAT (North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teachers) seminar, "The Age of Sail." We will be teaching the teachers how to make a traditional sailor's Turk's Head Bracelet. I've been wearing one that I made since last year's OcraFolk School. Rob taught me how to make them several years ago when I sailed with him on the schooner Windfall. They're a little tricky to make, but not too difficult when you're taught by a good teacher. However, I wonder how the first sailor figured it out. I guess it was a combination of a lot of brains and a lot of time. Here are a couple of photos. Click to view a larger image.

Three Turk's Head Bracelets Almost Completed:



A Finished Bracelet on My Arm:



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Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke native Major General Ira Thomas Wyche. You can read the complete story here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092110.htm.
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10 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:21 AM

    I have always loved the Turk Head bracelets. What a great project, especially on a rainy Tuesday! Those teachers will love it!

    I noticed in the photo your thumb still sports a bandage. I guess that's the "war wound" from trying to open clams the other day? Hope it's getting better!

    You'll have to share that story w/ your teachers!

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  2. OBXdreaming9:44 AM

    I have loved the Turk Head bracelets for years, also. I do crafts with yarn but never could figure the bracelet out. How long did it take you to learn how to make them?

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  3. Philip11:36 AM

    Even though the Turk's Head bracelet is a little tricky it doesn't take very long to learn how to make one...as long as you pay close attention. There must be directions on the web, but I think you'd need to learn from a real live person to figure it out easily. Besides, the bracelet is an oral/visual tradition. Learning from an old salt on a sailing vessel is the best way!

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  4. Anonymous11:43 AM

    Careful. Watch who you're calling an old salt.

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  5. OBXdreaming11:52 AM

    GREAT SO WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE ME ON A SEA VESSEL AND TEACH ME TO MAKE THE BRACELET? LOL

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  6. Anonymous1:59 PM

    My daughter bought a couple of those from one of the shops there on the island last week when we were over. I am not sure which one. By the way it was good to bump into you on the island last week. Will probably not be over until spring break in April when the Make a Wish Foundation is renting a house for my daughter. David

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  7. Anonymous2:20 AM

    A homemade clam opener. A homemade boat. Your dad seems like he was an interesting fellow, Phillip. Have you ever detailed his life story here, in this forum?

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  8. Anonymous9:34 AM

    Each summer as a kid I HAD to have one at the start. I wouldn't take it off until school started. By that time it was grungy looking and shrunk to fit my wrist tightly. Mom had to cut if off, and I would cry with sadness. I believe I bought them from you.
    Claudia

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  9. Philip1:27 PM

    You can read an article I wrote about my father here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news011805.htm

    You can read about my mother here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news061505.htm

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  10. Anonymous12:21 AM

    Lovely recollections of your parents, Phillip. Thanks for sharing.

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