I have found the following books useful, and I recommend them to you. I have provided a very efficient and cost effective way for you to order them, a link to Amazon.com. Happy reading and braiding.
"Dedicated to my mother who was thoughtful enough to see that I was born in Texas."
A good starting place. After briefly discussing the romance of leather braiding, braiding tools and general techniques, Grant presents the basics: flat braids, round braids, buttons, edge lacing, buckle coverings, Spanish knots and Turk's heads, and braided appliqués. This book shows the elements of lanyard making: 4X, 6X, and 8X round braids, and herringbone and pineapple knots. Clear instructions and illustrations make using this book effective and efficient. This is a good "techniques" book.
In his second book on braiding, Grant concentrates on rawhide: the romance of rawhide and making and working rawhide. True to the title, Grant shows how to use braiding and braided knots to make horse gear: bosals, hackamores, bridle headstalls, reins, quirts, riding crops, reatas, hobbles, and decorations for other gear. There is a bonus section, "How to make a Western Saddle", by Lee M. Rice. This is a good "applications" book.
This definitive, authoritative book on rawhide and leather braiding includes most of the first two books and adds an equal volume by expanding the treatment of every category and adding new topics. The expanded section on braided knots is particularly useful in making lanyards. No braiding library is complete without this book. Get it while it is still in print.
True to his heritage of New England sailing and maritime culture, Ashley presents an exhaustive reference book on knots and braiding using cord and rope rather than the leather and rawhide from the vaquero and gaucho cultures reflected in Grant's books. Among the useful items in this reference are basic knots including the constrictor knot, #1249, (best for binding the end of a braid over a core), a section on flat and round sinnets (braids), and a section on Turk's heads listing all possible knots up to 24X40.
Raoul Graumont & John Hensel 1952 (originally 1939)
This book is truly encyclopedic. Like Ashley, these seamen work with cord and rope, their illustrations are clearer, and they include more projects and applications than Ashley. The fancy rope work is impressive. There is a good section on Turk's heads, and the eye splices are useful for making traffic leads for dogs from nylon rope.
For other books and videos on leather braiding:
