some turks head knot questions

[steeltoe]

I recently got a turks head tube from Don B and have been working with it the last few days. On a template I found on khww.net forum for turks head bracelets (done by Patrick D) he has some information on the end of the word doc. here is an excerpt of what I have questions about:
The 7 Lead by 15 Bight Turks Head is commonly tied in hand by first tying a 3L x 4B Turks Head.  Extending the 3-strand braid of a 3 bight Turks Head extends this Turks Head to a 3L x 7B Turks Head.  Then it increased in the normal manner to a 5L x 11B, and again to a 7L x 15B.
I've been trying to register an account on the khww forum but the registration function seems to not be working at this time.  I noticed some member names here so I figured maybe I could get some answers here instead. I'm wondering how you would "extend" the braid of a 3 bight TH and so far I've never seen anything related to a knot increasing "in the normal matter", but like I said I'm very new at this and am still trying to find resources on the subject.
Appreciate any help anyone can give me,
Steve

[steeltoe]

well I think I found part of what I was looking for here- http://www.golden-knots.com/tie7x8.html
I'm not sure this would be the "extending" part of my original question or not...still trying to wrap my head around it.
After looking around here a little bit, may I just say WOW...there's a lot of knowledge on this board! 

[PatDucey]

Hello Steve,

Loren, at GoldenKnots.com is an excellent resource on tying Turks Heads.  I will try to explain in words, but Loren also has some great photos, and may even have a video on Turks Heads.

When you tie a 3L x 4B TH, it looks like an endless 3 strand braid going around the circumference of the band.  If you give yourself a little room in the knot, it is possible to add bights to the knot without adding leads using only the working end of your line.  This is what I meant when I said to extend the braid.

Generally, when I tie a 3L x 4B TH the standing end enters the knot with an 'over', so these instructions will be for that kind of knot.  If the standing end enters the knot with an 'under' you will need to reverse these instructions, or turn the knot inside out.

To increase a 3L x 4B Turks Head in the normal manner, take the working end, and cross over the standing end.  Then follow the standing end (over1, under1) to the top of the knot.  Then cross over the standing part again, and follow it back down to the bottom of the knot, and crosso over the standing part again.  Where the working end comes out of the knot is very close to where the standing end enters the knot.  Now take the workng end and cross under the standing end, and you will see the two parallel lines you have just laid down, this is the standing end, and your last pass of the working end.  Split those two lines, and you will have a channel where you will have to go contrary to the over unders so that the lines that cross the channel will also be over under.  When yoou get to the top of the knot, and have crossed under the stading part, you will see another channel which must be split, and the tied to continue the over under pattern.  You will emerge from the knot where the standing line enters the knot.  You are know holding a 5L x 6B TH.  Repeat as neccesary, adding crossings for the added leads, to 7L x 8B, 9L x 10B, etc.

Each time you 'extend the braid', you will need to do another cross over go up, cross over go down, and then split the extra channels.  Extending the braid also changes the ratio of added leads and bights when you increase a TH.

If you are still confused, we can Skype.

Pat