In this tutorial I demonstrate Spanish hitching.
Spanish hitching is a spiral like wrapping technique. I have seen it used on walking sticks and rowing paddles, but it has many applications besides those. I learned this technique for Bruce Grant’s Encyclopedia of rawhide and leather braiding.
Hitching can be done in a wide range of colors. The spiraling effect achieved is quite eye pleasing and I have rarely seen it used.
Click the images below for an up close look at Spanish hitching.
Spanish hitching tutorial
So, how is this style of hitching actually done?
First we cut a number of strands for the actual hitching. These strands should cover the entire circumference of the object we are wrapping.
Another, longer strand is cut, which will spiral around the object we are wrapping. We will line up our hitches onto this longer cord.
In my case, I gutted (removed the inner strands) my paracord. I find it to lay nicer if it is flatter. With the cords prepared we then start the wrap:
Firstly we secure our working ends with a constrictor knot. I usually tie the constrictor knot using the long strand that will spiral around.
I then slide under the constrictor knot the working cords.
Once we have secured the cords, we take our longer strand and wrap it under our working cords.
We then line up a row of hitches with our working ends. W start on the left.
Then continue to the right.
One cord after the other.
Until we have a row of hitches (the exact number of hitches does not matter).
Then tighten up the long cord.
Finally, we tighten the hitches, one by one.
Start another row again wrapping the long cord under the working cords.
Then line up another row of hitches and continue the same way we did before.
Although I demonstrated the technique in many steps, it has been done so for clarity. The actual hitching is done very fast and intuitively and after a few rows you will have a feel for it.
A video of the technique can also be helpful in learning it:
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