How to Make a Leather Handle for a Walking Stick

If you enjoy creating walking sticks from timber found in the woods then you probably have experienced splinters or rough patches in your walking stick. An easy way to be rid of those troubles is to create a simple leather handle.
I did it for less than $3 and have used the walking stick plenty of times since then.

Materials:

1. Walking stick

2. Piece of leather (I picked up some random leather pieces at Michael's craft store, about $5 a package)

3. String or twine or paracord

Tools:

1. Scissors

2. Leather hole punches

3. Threading Needle

4. Pencil/Pen

(Knife to whittle/carve the walking stick - not outlined in this instructable)

The walking stick should be sturdy and solid, these make the best walking sticks. I usually go for something like birch wood or other similar hard wood.
Carve or whittle down (with a knife) the area you want the handle to be.
!!! Always carve/whittle away from the body !!!
***I am not responsible to any harm done to your property or self***

Match up the leather to the handle location.
Shape the leather around your handle, you will be cutting the leather to wrap around the walking stick with no overlap.
Make sure the leather meets the other side without overlapping, this is important.
* Remember most leather stretches so make to take that into account *

Using a leather puncher or something similar, make holes along one side first. Make holes as even as possible.

You can poke the holes out using a pencil. Then match up the side you punched to the other side. You can then punch the matching holes on the other side.

Make a knot in the end of the your string (use multiple knots if knot single knot will slip through the hole)
Wrap the leather around the handle. You will be starting on one end and move towards the other.
Follow the same stitch pattern as you move up the handle, keep the lace tight. Once you move up one side you have the option to stop here. You can end here by tying the closing knot.
If not, you can continue by switching the stitch and moving back towards the beginning.
Closing Knot: To end the stitch, tie a single knot or a couple of knots to be sure.
"If you can't tie a knot, tie a lot."

Enjoy your more comfortable walking stick!