making a prayer rope

[Clydester2]

I recently learned how to make prayer ropes and have made 3. I found it easier to use synthetic materials to learn the techniques, and of course the prayer ropes I made are functional. But I would much rather make one out of the traditional black wool material. I've tried using wool yarn from a craft store but it is SO difficult to work with. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to work with wool yarn? Or is there a place to purchase yarn that is easier to work with? (the stuff from the store is so loose that it pulls apart when I try to "pull through" the knot)
Many thanks for any help you can provide!

[ORPRcamper]

sorry that I cant help with the yarn issue, but is there anywhere online that I could learn how to make prayer ropes?

[Clydester2]

http://www.wattfamily.org/prayerope.html

This is the site that I learned from. The video was the most helpful, and after I had the basic idea from that video, I went on to read the instructions and look at the pictures for clarification of the technique. I know that the traditional wool is most desired, but I would highly recommend starting with the "rattail" material they suggest. It is very pleasant to work with.
I read another post elsewhere in this forum where someone was complaining about "mass-produced" prayer ropes that seemed to fit the description of those I see on this website...those made from non-traditional materials. It is my hope to some day be able to make them out of wool. But in the meantime, I have so enjoyed the process of making them, as well as using my final products.

[George Australia]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to work with wool yarn? Or is there a place to purchase yarn that is easier to work with? (the stuff from the store is so loose that it pulls apart when I try to "pull through" the knot)

I use a type of worsted wool which is "plaited" rather than twisted.
Firstly, make sure that the wool is worsted, then look closely at how it is spun- avoid wools which are simply twisted in a spiral and go for a yarn which is "woven" in a plait. When you pull it through, it wont tear and fray.
I use two strands of 8 ply wool and use a blunt embroidery needle to pull the loops through.

[ORPRcamper]

thanks for the info

[Clydester2]

I did quite of bit of seaching on the internet and couldn't locate any worsted, plaited wool. I found a bunch of worsted wool, but it all looks like the kind I've tried before. Do you know of a specific brand name of wool, or a place to purchase the best kind of wool that you use for prayer ropes?
Thank you so much for your help and information!