Mike here are the basics for the round braid and a simple knot. Get any of Bruce Grant's braiding for more and better info.
Here is how to do a 4 strand round braid
Here is a neat little knot using one strand. You start by threading it through the 4 strand piece to hold it in place
Here are a couple of pics of a riding crop I did a while back. I don't do much now because my fingers get too stiff. The first pic is a four strand flat into four strand round on both ends. The second pic is of the whole grip. The knot on both ends of the end of the grip is a lone star knot and the other two are Spanish ring knots. I've done a few knife grips with braid work and also decorated sheaths with it. Something different anyway.
Chuck