An issue of The New Mexico Magazine (Nov.2007 page 87) had a great (& easier!)way to make the ristras using two lengths of string. The old family way of my husband's used a length of wire & tied two or three chiles together & attached to the wire.... I much prefer the lengths of string!

www.nmmagazine.com may let you access this issue & the article .. good luck!

thanks vieja, it was not on their web site, but i wrote asking them to send it to me....time will tell,
i let you know---bob

hey vieja....thanks

terry was a very nice person at that magazine and wrote back saying to send my address to him, so i did that, and just now got an e-mail saying
it was put in the mail to me today---thanks again, i'm looking forward to learning how to tie ristras...i'm jazzed; carpal tunnel nightmare i can imagine, but i'll do it for sure--bob

Well, this doesn't move, but is a good lesson in ristra-making

Here is a link that might be useful: Ristra

Tying a ristra with dried chillies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksDJ48EU5uQ

Here is a link that might be useful: Tying a ristra with dried chillies

way to go kkol,
it took a brit to point me to a video on how to tie a southwestern ristra, or maybe you would beg to differ and would tell me they are made all over the world...probably are in some form or another....different names. anyway, thanks a lot and NICE MUSIC to inspire the learner. i like starting at a random spot on a tight line and then go from there and begin tying peppers from that spot on.......thanks alot, time to tie a few for solstice celebrations presents----bob