I was cleaning out some files to recover disk space and I found Alan's video.
I never got around to actually learning the methods shown, so I decided now's the time. I chose method 2 in the video, which runs from about 00:45 to 01:40.
I actually had a bit of trouble with it, which is surprising considering the excellent production values in the video: it couldn't be clearer, and yet I couldn't get it.
Am I thick, or is Alan using sleight of hand to fool me? Well, a bit of both, although the sleight of hand is not intentional, as we'll see.
The first thing to say is that Alan is using very soft cordage; it's positively floppy. This would not be a problem except that at one particular point it's crucial that the line "falls" a certain way, and with stiff, springy line it won't necessarily go the right way. But you can shepherd it once you understand what's required.
The second thing is that I didn't watch the left hand, which fulfils a crucial role. At about 00:58 it switches the ends such that the short (white) end, which is on top, ends up on the bottom after everything is smoothed out. Without this slight manipulation, the right hand pull-through may not transform the elements into what's shown in the pause (01:05) before the final tuck and shaping.
But, all's well that ends well, and I'm now happily practising this method to lodge it firmly in my memory.
