Hi Richard.
We had a similar problem with our roped drum band here in Combe Martin. Take some rammin dowelling(if you can't get rammin any more - we can't) take a standard hickory drumstick - cut the tip off. Take a strip of leather approx. 1 inch wide and about 9 inches long (depending on how big you want the leather knob to be). Smother the inside of the leather with waterproof Evostick W (woodworking glue). Tack one end to the drumstick at right angles, then wind the leather round and round in itself, tighter and tighter, then hold in place with rubber bands and leave to dry right out(2-days ideally). With a stanley knife you can then trim the lump of leather to the shape you want. The waterproof Evostick W is important - otherwise it unravels when you play in the rain! Ordinary dowelling is too liable to break - rammin is better - hickory stick is best but not cheap. Some sticks made like this are still in use after 20 years. SAddlers leather is best - clothing leathwer tends to be too soft (and thin), belt leather tends to be too stiff (mostly 'cause it's chrome tanned).
These really work!
Good Luck
Tom Brown