Braided textile sleeve with integrated opening and self-sustaining expanded and contracted states and method of construction thereof

A protective textile having at least one integrated opening and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve includes a braided, tubular wall extending lengthwise in relation to a central longitudinal axis between opposite ends. The wall has a first state with a decreased length, increased cross-sectional area and a second state with an increased length, decreased cross-sectional area, as viewed in cross-section taken generally transversely to the central longitudinal axis. The wall further includes braided, heat-set yarns imparting a bias on the wall, wherein the bias causes the wall to remain substantially in the first and second states absent some externally applied force. The wall also includes at least one opening having a circumferentially continuous periphery bounding the opening, wherein the periphery is formed, at least in part, by braided yarns reversing direction from one S or Z helical direction to the opposite S or Z helical direction.