Tying a bleed knot

A bleed knot is the traditional way to attach a concho to leather using lacing. It looks clean, holds tight, and is the right call when you don't want a snap or a screw showing on the front of your work.

Step 1: Cut slits in the leather

Where the concho will mount, you need two horizontal slits half an inch apart — they'll line up with the slots on the back of the concho. The slits should be just wide enough to accommodate the lace. An exacto knife is best for this; the cut needs to be tight.

Be careful: not only is the knife sharp, but it's easy to make a slit too wide if you press too hard.

Step 2: Cut a slit in the lacing

Make a single slit in the center of the lace, running down its length. The slit's only as long as the lace is wide. Use the exacto or a sharp pair of scissors.

Step 3: Thread the lace

Pull the lace through both slits in the leather from the back, so each end comes out the front. Then thread each end through the matching slot of the concho until the concho sits flat against the leather.

Step 4: Make the knot

We'll call the lace coming out of the upper concho slot LACE 1, and the lower one LACE 2. The slit you cut in the lace is just below the lower concho slot.

Take LACE 1 and pass it through the slit in LACE 2. Pull it through, lift LACE 2 above the concho, and let LACE 1 hang down. Pull both snug.

Step 5: Lock it

Cut a small slit in LACE 1 — same technique. Pass LACE 2 through that slit. Pull snug, flatten, adjust.

Trim the ends to your preferred length. Done.