Hitched Horse Hair

This book gives the beginner everything necessary to learn how to hitch. It covers the two knots used in hitching which create all the intricate designs. The 6 row diamond is your first geometric to learn and is the basis for all geometric designs. The cross hitch border frames hitching in like a picture border, and this technique is described.

Learn how to dye the horsehair pulls, make a press to flatten your hitched tube, and amount of pulls per row for different dowels sizes.

The most important chapter after learning how to hitch is the graph paper chapter. Learn how to create your own designs, and also layout of any of your projects. Making leather belt ends, finishing belts, key fobs, hatbands, and reins is included. Traditional needle knots used to cover joints are described.

We do not leave you high and dry - you learn how to take your hitched blank into finished projects.

There are also 14 graphed patterns with complete directions.

186 pages, 8 ½" x 11", illustrated, 4 page color insert, softcover, supplier list. $29.99, plus shipping (see below for shipping charges).

Building on the success of their beginner’s book, this book fulfills the many requests for advanced patterns. Drawing from the award winning Shoni Collection, each graphed pattern guides hitchers through over 30 advanced patterns with complete directions, i.e. eagle, buffalo, bear, blue pony, rose in feather, End of the Trail, alphabet and numbers, geometrics, etc. You must know how to hitch to use the patterns.

If you want to put hitched inlays in leather, this is the book for you. It explains how to design inlays for length and width so you have the inlay size you want. Inlay shrinkage makes a difference with size as do other factors. Learn how to work with these factors. Projects with hitched inlays in leather complete the book, i.e. buckle, belt, notepad, saddle, Indian cradleboard, quiver, etc.

A new technique of hitching patterns is also explained. You will be surprised how easy this is. It's great for making your pictorial designs look the way they are graphed.

240 pages, 8 ½" x 11", illustrated, 4 page color insert, softcover, supplier list. $29.99, plus shipping (see below for shipping charges).

Shipping:

United States: USPS priority mail: $5.00 for each book.

All international packages must now go by air. It's taken awhile to get accurate information from the post office. Thank you for your patience as we have tried to work this out. Here are the updated shipping rates as of January 14, 2010:

Canada & Mexico: Books are shipped by First Class Mail International. For one book, the shipping by air is $8.50. For two books shipped in one package, shipping is $14.00.

All other countries: USPS Priority Mail International: $13.45 for one book.
For two books shipped in one package, shipping is $25.00 and goes by First Class Mail International.

HOW TO ORDER:

We accept VISA, Mastercard, checks or money orders. Please order by mail, fax, or phone to the address below. Please do not send credit card information over e-mail. We are located in the Pacific Time Zone. When it is 9:00 p.m. in England, it is 1:00 p.m. in our time zone.

Washington State residents, please add 7.6% sales tax.

Wholesale prices available. Please inquire.

Prices subject to change.

Shoni & Stetson (yep, the hat company...):

There's a new show in the western world. Women Who Design the West premieres in Cody, Wyoming, September 2010. It's an exclusive exhibition featuring women who design and create western craft. And Shoni has been invited to the show.

Stetson has endorsed Women Who Design the West and will be inducting each craftswoman into the Stetson Craftsman's Alliance. The mission of the alliance is to recognize and honor excellence across western craft disciplines.

Thea Marx has worked with Stetson for several years on this project. Thea also directs Style West, held at the same time. Both shows open, free to the public, at noon on Thursday and Friday, September 23-24, and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 25. The event closes daily at 6 p.m.

Website: www.womenwhodesignthewest.wordpress.com.

Upcoming Classes: We are always open to one-on-one three day workshops, taking up to two students at a time in our studio at Kettle Falls, Washington. Check the "Instruction" page of this website for more information.

Montana Academy of Living History to present two sessions on hitched horsehair in Deer Lodge, Montana, September 16-17, 2010.

First session: Find out what hitched horsehair is, a general description of how it is done, and display of finished products. This is an overview discussion. A question and answer period will be at the end of the session. This is September 16, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; fee of $10.00.

The second session is an accelerated how-to and hands-on for beginners. Students will make a hitched horsehair key fob, having hands on experience with making pulls, the two knots used in hitching, and understanding drop, add, and standing pulls. The six row diamond, the basis for all geometric patterns will be hitched, but not completed due to time constraints. Class is limited to ten students. Please bring small scissors and a ruler. We recommend that people taking the how-to, hands-on session also attend the two hour overview session on Thursday. This session is September 17, 8 a.m. to noon.

For more information and to register: www.academyoflivinghistory.com; or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Or call the Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation, phone number 406-846-3111.