How to Tie a False Bamboo Lashing

This tutorial is really an extension of my previous one, How to Lash Bamboo. If you're interested in learning how to tie a full, working lashing, that's the page I recommend.

The type of lashing I cover on this page is for effect only. It's a lashing facade, if you will. It wraps only around the foremost bamboo, leaving the lengths behind them bare.

Why would you do such a thing? Well, I developed the technique when I was making a bamboo picture frame, which is what you see me working on here. When I tried mounting the frame to the backing, I discovered that the lashings I had tied around the corners created a gap much larger than I expected, making the whole thing look sloppy.

But, with the false lashing, I was able to achieve the look I wanted, while the rear bamboo was free to mount flat against the backing. Problem solved.

Note that I've already hot-glued these lengths of bamboo together. That's what's keeping them fastened, since this lashing is, again, just for looks.

That said, cut yourself a length of lashing material. Here, I'm using a piece 18 inches long.

Once you've got it, fold it in half to locate the middle.

Drape the middle over the rear bamboo, as shown.

Carry both ends straight up in front.

Carry them straight down again, effectively make one loop around the foremost bamboo.

Cross both ends, making an X in front.

Carry end B straight down behind the foremost bamboo.

Carry the same end across to the right, in front of the rear bamboo.

Carry end B straight up, and end A straight down, behind the foremost bamboo, and tie it in back.

From here, I recommend following steps 12-15 of How to Lash Bamboo to achieve a clean finish.

You'll note from this rear view that the lashing never crosses around the back. This is what leaves us the flatter surface for mounting.

By the way, you can always tie the knot on the other side if you need to. Just perform steps 6 and 7 with end A instead, and cross to the left.

If you came to this tutorial in the middle of recreating my bamboo tiki picture frame, you can return to step 9 here.