triaxial weave

Triaxial weave aka. Qbert weave

Let’s see how to weave this beautiful, 3D wrap!

The triaxial weave, also known as the Qbert weave or the building blocks pattern is popular in mesh work. Lately it has become very popular in the paracord crafts as well due to the work of Paul Luzny, who showed a wrap made using the technique. Before, the weave was mostly used for flat weaves, but being able to use it as a wrap is a powerful tool for the braider.

The weave is a bit more advanced, so be sure to load up on patience and you will have a nice looking weave in no time.

With that said, I have made a video and photo tutorials, both are available below. So, let’s get to some weaving!

qbert weavebuilding-blocks-weave

Supplies

You will need the following:

  • paracord, I highly recommend using gutted cord (inner strands removed) and straightening it out. Three different colors are almost a must here.
  • an object to wrap. It can be a handle, water bottle, you name it. I used a simple dowel rod for this demonstration.
  • a lacing needle is also highly recommended to make work easier. You can make your own lacing needle using this tutorial.
  • scissors
  • lighter
triaxial weave wrap

 

The tutorial

The first thing you need to do is to determine the number of cords you will need for the wrap. Since there are three colors you will need three sets of cords. Two sets will be used to cover the circumference of the object you are wrapping. These cords alternate around the circumference as seen in the image below. There should be an even number of these cords (4,6,8,10 etc.). In my example I used 4 cords of red color and 4 cords of orange color. This was enough to cover a 3/8 inch dowel rod comfortably.

The other set of cords you will need are the ones for the third color (this color runs vertically in the weave and it is the third and last one to be introduced into the weave). You will need double the amount of these cords comparing to the previous colors. So if I used 4 cords per color before, I will use 8 cords of the third color.

Before I start I make sure my cords are as flat as I can get them. To prevent twists I will flatten my cord by wetting it and pulling it through nose pliers. Some prefer to simply iron them out. This is an optional step though.

To start we will cover the circumference of the object we are wrapping, alternating our two colors around the object. Working this weave a bit loose will help you make it faster.

triaxial-weave (1 of 19)

The cords are secured around the object. I use an inner strand of paracord to create a powerful wrap.

triaxial-weave-(2-of-19)

We then select one color, in my case red.

triaxial-weave-(3-of-19)

Then take all the cords and wrap them around and around the object.

triaxial-weave-(4-of-19)

Then secure the bottom.

I secure the bottom using a wrap as well.

triaxial-weave-(5-of-19)

We now switch to the other color.

Using a lacing needle on the cord you are working with is almost a must.

triaxial-weave-(6-of-19)

We continue by weaving our first cord in an under one-over two sequence (U1-O2).

We start under the cord to it’s right.

triaxial-weave-(7-of-19)

The cord will spiral around and around to the bottom.

triaxial-weave-(8-of-19)

One cord done.

triaxial-weave-(9-of-19)

The second cord now repeats the same under one-over two sequence (U1-O2).

We again start under the cord to the right of our working cord.

triaxial-weave-(10-of-19)

Repeat the process until all cords are woven in.

triaxial-weave-(11-of-19)

We now introduce our vertical cords of the third color. Note that the section we go under looks like a reverse “Z”, “S” or lightning bolt.

triaxial-weave-(12-of-19)

We then continue by going over a section that has two parallel cords going over one cord.

triaxial-weave-(13-of-19)

The first cord is woven through, alternating between over and under sections. In these sections we either go over three cords or under three.

triaxial-weave-(14-of-19)

Another look at the pattern of the first cord.

triaxial-weave-(15-of-19)

The next vertical cord is introduced much in the same way, we just switch the sequence around. Where we went under before, we go over now and vice versa.

triaxial-weave-(19-of-19)

The third cord for example will again switch back to the pattern of the first cord.

In conclusion & video

Naturally, patience is required for making this weave. Be sure to take a close look at the weave and pay special attention to which cords you go over and under.

To make your life a bit easier I have also made a video tutorial:

Enjoy this beautiful weave, see ya next time!

About Markwell

I am a defense science graduate. I like to create beautiful things out of paracord.

12 comments

  1. Hi there. I just watched your video on the Triaxial Weave as a wrap. It looks great and I have a walking stick I’m going to try it on. However, your video doesn’t show how to finish the ends. Do you just leave the whips on each end of the wrap and singe the ends of the left over cord? Or do you burn all the cord ends and fuse them together (that sounds messy)?

    Please let me know how that works. Thanks

    Mike Karp

    • Hey Mike!

      Usually a turk’s head is used to cover the top and bottom. I start by wrapping both ends tightly using an inner strand of paracord or sinew to hold everything in place (the constrictor knot is great for starting and finishing such a wrap). I then Place a turk’s head over it to make it look nice as it should.

      Mark

  2. This is a great project. Is it published in any book that you know of? I really like the video, it made it much easier to understand. However, I think it would be easier done with a flat sided fib. Don’t you think so?

  3. Challenging but well worth end result, video helped a lot!

  4. A wonderful weave, I can’t wait to use it with kangaroo lace!

  5. Would it be possible to make this into a bracelet?

  6. Patience, .. not sure I had enough or was too ambitious.
    the thing that got me is the diameter of my core was too big it is just under 1″ in dia
    and I only used the two colors 4 each and should have used 6 each.

    Swtiching to metric it was close to a 20mm dia 20 x 3.14 is 68mm in circumference
    if using 5mm 550 cord.. it is 13+ cords to go around.
    So I think 12 should be enough as 16 would be way to many.

    Lets just say I had a loooooong learning curve on this one.
    I went back and did a really small 6″ wrap around a wooden spoon
    and it went a lot better than the 1/2″ PVC which is about 20mm in DIA

    So, before you do your planning.. make sure that you use even number of strands for each color starting with 4,6,8,10 etc.

    • Thank you for your comment Todd!
      I really appreciate you sharing your experience!

      This wrap is in my opinion one of the nicest looking ones and also the most complicated to do.
      But it really does look nice on handles. I’d consider this one on only the most superb of projects.

      Congratulations for making it! It is quite an accomplishment not many can claim.

      Mark

  7. doing a larger stick 3 inches around. Cannot figure out the black rope. Can ya help?

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