How to Tie a Flemish String

A Flemish string is a fairly simple string to tie. Bow strings can be purchased, but it is cheap and not that difficult to tie your own. It can also be fun to know that you made the string you're using yourself. There are ways to make a Flemish string without a jig, but the jig makes it easier, especially for novice string makers. Once you make the jig, you never have to make it again so it's a worthwhile investment of time.

Things You'll Need

  • Wood plank
  • Nails
  • Hammer
  • Tape measure
  • String
  • Wax
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make a jig. Find or cut a piece of wood about 2.5 feet long. On one end of the jig put 18 nails in two rows 2.5 inches apart, nine on each side of the plank. Leave a 1/2 inch between each nail in the row. On the other end of the board, following a straight line about 24 inches from your first nail, and put one nail on each side of the board. Halfway between the two rows of nails, start a row of nails about four inches in from the last two nails you placed. Put 13 nails in the row, one inch apart.

    • 2

      Tie the end of your string around the nail in the top corner of your nine nail rows. Wrap the string around the opposite nail and down the outside of the nail row to the single nail on the other end of the board. Loop the string over one of the middle row of nails. Which one depends on how long you want your string. The nails will give you lengths from 48 to 72 inches, 48 inches using the nail closest to the two nails at the end of the board. Wrap the string around the nail on the other side and then back up to the row of nine.

    • 3

      Wrap the string around the second set of nails and continue with each set of nails, until you get the number of strands you want. How many strands you use will depend on what weight you want to pull and how many ply you need. For example, a two ply string for 45 to 55 pounds would be 14 strands, so you would make seven wraps around the jig.

    • 4

      Cut the strings down the center of the two rows of nine nails. Slide your hand down the bundles of string as you remove them from the jig, so they stick together. If the string is not waxed, apply the wax during this step as you remove the bundles. Repeat steps two through four with a different color string.

    • 5

      Put your two bundles of string together. Measure about seven inches from the end of the string. Start twisting the colors individually, and after you have twisted a few inches, twist the parts you have just worked on together into one string. Stop when you have enough twisted together to form your loop. Hold the ends of the loop together and twist the strands a few inches below the loop, until all the ends have been twisted in. Use a twist tie or bit of string at the end of the twist to keep it from unravelling, as you work on the rest of the string.

    • 6

      Twist the rest of the string in the two individual bundles. Twist each bundle separately, twisting in the same direction for each. When the bundles are twisted repeat the procedure for forming your loop at the other end of the strings. Be sure to keep the bundles the same length when you twist your second loop, so one side doesn't have more slack than the other. Smooth them out as you are working, to keep the tension the same.

    • 7

      Stretch the string to make sure the tension is the same. If one side is noticeably longer than the other, you will need to re-do the second loop. Hold the string stretched out and twist the whole thing. Twist in the same direction as the twists in the loop you made. Keep twisting until the two bundles are one string. Try it on the bow. If it is too loose, twist a bit more. If it is too tight, untwist a little. Pull the bow a few times to get the stretch out.