https://youtu.be/C07evRZT_PQAfter doing the bottom loop, I put 30 twists in, twisting to the left (as the top loop sees it), on the assumption that the twists have to follow the laying in of the bundles, rather than the twisting within the bundles.
One thing occurs to me: should the bottom loop be laid in in the opposite sense to the top one? That is to say: take the left hand bundle (which would be the right on the top loop) twist the bundle hard left and lay over to the right?
Yes, the ends were staggered, by about a cm each time.
Before starting the second loop I usually comb each bundle and put 26 full turns in the opposite direction to the eventual twists, start the braiding by looping the bundles around 2 posts and braid the loop section putting the twists in the usual direction, unloop from the posts and combine the 2 free ends with the main bundles hook the loop over a post and continue braiding into the main section twists as usual - on completing the braiding you should end up with the 2 bundles having no twists left so they then combine into one smooth bundle between the ends of the twisted sections. I also add a short binding to the ends of the twisted sections to prevent them coming loose although once to have twisted the required number of turns into the main string for length they are not necessary. If the string turns out too short and you have plenty of length in the loops you can untwist the longest one and remake. If it turns out too long remake one end starting the loop earlier in the bundle by half the difference in string length required. Once you have made one successfully with a particular thread and it has stretched and has the right number of twists you can remake new ones using its dimensions ( you did make a note of all the starting point lengths didn't you!)....
One thing occurs to me: should the bottom loop be laid in in the opposite sense to the top one? That is to say: take the left hand bundle (which would be the right on the top loop) twist the bundle hard left and lay over to the right?