A
Alexander_Roman
Guest
Dear Ciero,
Actually, in all humility and silliness - I don’t know how!
Perhaps Phillip could help you out there at some point . . .
To describe it, it is a series of light brown, dark brown and beige longish steps, fastened together with special cord on either end to look just like the steps of a Lestovka. Phillip (quite ingeniously) made a beautiful Cross with tassel at the end (which Lestovka’s don’t have, but which makes his creation all the more appealing).
On either end, there are the traditional three-steps with a knot above them as one would find on any Lestovka.
And then Phillip put beads where the three larger divider steps would be (after the 12, 38th and 33rd groupings).
It is in every which way a true Lestovka but it is made from wooden steps rather than leather ones - and as someone who has used a Lestovka for years, I will tell you I must prefer what Phillip has made.
If it were not so, I would have told you . . .
And Phillip made me a prayer rope that is the very best I’ve ever had in my life!! I have it with me now as I write this - can’t, won’t let it out of my sight or hands.
And his creations are extremely durable and strong which is another plus for his work.
Really, you will ADORE his labour!!
Alex
Actually, in all humility and silliness - I don’t know how!
Perhaps Phillip could help you out there at some point . . .
To describe it, it is a series of light brown, dark brown and beige longish steps, fastened together with special cord on either end to look just like the steps of a Lestovka. Phillip (quite ingeniously) made a beautiful Cross with tassel at the end (which Lestovka’s don’t have, but which makes his creation all the more appealing).
On either end, there are the traditional three-steps with a knot above them as one would find on any Lestovka.
And then Phillip put beads where the three larger divider steps would be (after the 12, 38th and 33rd groupings).
It is in every which way a true Lestovka but it is made from wooden steps rather than leather ones - and as someone who has used a Lestovka for years, I will tell you I must prefer what Phillip has made.
If it were not so, I would have told you . . .
And Phillip made me a prayer rope that is the very best I’ve ever had in my life!! I have it with me now as I write this - can’t, won’t let it out of my sight or hands.
And his creations are extremely durable and strong which is another plus for his work.
Really, you will ADORE his labour!!
Alex
I thought it turned out pretty well, and I’m pleased that Br. Alex was so happy with the results, but I do hope to make a slightly improved design while maintaining the basic concept.
I’d always wanted one, so I thought I’d have a go at making one (ironically this is also how I started making chotkis). A nearby department/crafting store had a box of assorted beads that included the tube-shaped beads I thought would work sufficiently as “steps;” however, they weren’t all the same color, giving the end product an almost Native American feel to it (perhaps this could be my contribution to an American “inculturation” of the Byzantine traditions 
). I ended by stringing the “steps” together in the same way as the “Sacrifice Beads” of St. Therese of Lisieux. Br. Alex was so kind in describing the Lestovka, its symbolism, and prayer rule, that I decided to gift my first attempt to him. His pleasure in my work has encouraged me to pursue my Lestovkas’ further development. I did make one other one out of foot-ball shaped beads, but it is now in the possession of a friend/fellow parishioner of mine. To this day I still do not own one, but I’m workin’ on it. 
