Undertaker

Materials

How to Tie the Undertaker

1. 1

   Step 1

   Start the white thread behind the eye and lay a smooth base back along the shank toward the bend.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Tie in the small gold oval tinsel and wrap a few close turns at the rear of the shank to form the tip. Tie it off and trim.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Tie in the green fluorescent floss just ahead of the tip and wrap a short, even band for the first tag. Tie off and trim the floss.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Tie in the red floss ahead of the green band and wrap a second band of about the same width. Tie off and trim.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Cover the rest of the shank with smooth wraps of white thread to complete the underbody, then whip finish and cut the white thread.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Start the black thread just ahead of the tags and tie in a length of gold oval tinsel for the rib.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Tie in peacock herl and wrap it forward to form the body, stopping well short of the eye to leave room for the collar and wing. Tie off and trim.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Wind the rib forward through the herl in open, evenly spaced turns. Tie it off and trim.

9. 9

   Step 9

   Prepare a black hen neck feather, tie it in at the front of the body and wind a collar. Sweep the fibers back and secure them with a few thread wraps.

10. 10

    Step 10

    Cut a bunch of black fox squirrel tail, clean out the underfur and short hairs, and even the tips in a hair stacker.

11. 11

    Step 11

    Tie the hair in on top of the collar for the wing. Trim the butts at an angle and bind them down.

12. 12

    Step 12

    Build a neat, smooth head with the black thread, whip finish and coat the head with head cement.