8-Strand Kumihimo

by Judy Larson

Category: Weaving
Technique(s): Weaving
Skill Level: Beginner

Kumihimo is a braiding technique, originating in ancient Japan, used by women who would braid silk cords used to hold the armor platelets together for a Samurai warrior and his horse. Kumi braids were also used as cording and belts for clothing. They are now used as ties on traditional haori jackets and for obijimes, which are used for tying on an obi. Artists worldwide today make Kumihimo cords out of an endless array of materials from ribbon, yarn and cord to wire and natural fibers found in nature.

Sometimes you make a beautiful pendant or have some fun beads that just do not look right on a chain. Maybe what they need is some color. Try using a complimentary Kumihimo cord!

Materials

No materials listed

Tools

kumihimo disk

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

Add to Bag

Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

Add to Bag

4 1/4 Inch Bead Scissors - Pack of 1

G16-40

G16-40
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $3.57
Gold Club Price: $2.68

Add to Bag

ribbon or cord

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Add All Items to Cart

Instructions

Step 1

For this tutorial, you will be using something that is inexpensive and readily available in a great variety of colors-Ten yard spools of 1/8" ribbon-first photo. To make the braiding technique easier to learn, use the same four colors used in this tutorial: Bright Pink, Peach, Turquoise, and Purple.

The two turquoise cords in the second photo are light and dark versions of the same color. However, when first starting out, they could be hard to keep track of once the braiding starts. Hold off on complicated designs until you are comfortable with the technique.

Once the technique is learned, experiment with the remaining ribbon. A quick internet search of "8 strand color placement Kumihimo patterns" will yield many designs that will be easy to follow. The design you wish to achieve will determine how many colors to use. The solid navy blue braided cord at the top of the photo was made with one color. It was made with one 10 yard spool of ribbon and was 21" long when finished. The 8 strand Kumihimo braided cords shown here measure between 4mm and 5mm in diameter, depending on the brand of ribbon used.

Judy Larson's 8-Strand Kumihimo - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Kumihimo

Step 2

Cut 8 pieces of ribbon. The length needed for each piece, and in turn how much total ribbon is needed, is determined by the length desired for the finished piece.

Cut each ribbon section twice the length of the finished piece plus 6". Therefore, if an 18" cord is desire, cut the ribbon pieces (2x18") + 6"= 42" each.

Pro Tip: When using just one spool of ribbon for a one color core to use in later projects, cut the ribbon in four equal pieces of 7½ feet each. The resulting 8 strand braided cord will be approximately 21" long. Hint: To avoid the inevitable fraying on the ribbon ends, either cut the ribbon at an angle, put a bit of nail polish on the ends, or slightly melt the ends in a flame.

Step 3

Lay all the ribbons out so the ends are even. Make an overhand knot securing one end of the ribbons together.

Step 4

Put the ribbon knot through the center hole of the Kumihimo disk, going from the front side of the disk to the back.

Step 5

Secure the ribbons in the slots of the disk, spaced equally around the disk on either side of N, S, E, and W directions-the black dots mark these places on the disk. For your first Kumihimo braided cord, it will be important to place the ribbons exactly as seen in the photo. Changing their placement will make it much more difficult to follow the tutorial. Make sure that the knot/center sections stays in the center of the hole throughout the construction the braid.

Step 6

Turn the disk over and attach the weight to the bottom of the knot. The weight helps keep the braiding more even. I did not want to use one of my husband's smelly fishing weights, so I purchased by own at a sporting goods store.

Step 7

With the number 1 on the disk facing up in the North position, lift the upper right ribbon out of the slot and pull it down to the right of the ribbons on the South, slipping it into the first slot to the right of those two ribbons. Note: I find the silky ribbon ends easily untangle after each round of braiding , but not everyone does. Winding the ribbon strands on Kumihimo bobbins-third photo- may be helpful. Unwind more ribbon as it is needed.

Step 8

Lift the lower left ribbon out of the slot and pull it up to the left of the ribbon on the North, slipping it into the slot.

Step 9

Turn the disk clockwise one quarter turn so that the original West position is now facing North. This turn is important. ALWAYS turn the disk in the same direction. I am comfortable turning the disk clockwise, but you may not be. No matter which way the disk is turned, it MUST ALWAYS be turned in that direction. To help you remember which way you turn the disc, use a fine point permanent marker to draw arrows on the disk at the four cardinal points-N, S, E, and W.

Step 10

Lift the upper right ribbon out of the slot and pull it down to the right of the ribbons on the bottom, slipping it into the slot. Lift the lower left ribbon out of the slot and pull it up to the left of the ribbon on the top, slipping it into the slot. Turn the disk clockwise one quarter turn so that the original South position is now facing North.

Step 11

You will continue in this manner until all the ribbon is used. Lift the upper right ribbon out of the slot and pull it down to the right of the ribbons on the bottom, slipping it into the slot. Lift the lower left ribbon out of the slot and pull it up to the left of the ribbon on the top, slipping it into the slot. Turn the disk clockwise one quarter turn.

Step 12

Just to see what happens, the photos here and in Step 13 show each successive step, which are exactly like those done previously. The only difference is that you are in a different place on the disk.

Step 13

Remember this mantra: Upper right to lower right; lower left to upper left; shift clockwise

Step 14

You will get into a rhythm and will not have to think anymore about what goes where.

Step 15

It is so exciting to see the braid emerge out of the back!

Step 16

VERY IMPORTANT! If for some reason you need to leave your braiding, make sure that you leave half-way through one braiding set, leaving 3 ribbons on the bottom. That way you will know where you are in the braiding process when you pick it up again. When you pick it up, you know the step is not finished and know what to do since this technique is just repetition of: Upper right to lower right; lower left to upper left; shift clockwise.

Step 17

When the braiding process is complete, some of you ribbons will be shorter than others. This is normal. Your tension in braiding is not perfectly even so this is bound to happen. You will still be happy with the end result.

Step 18

Remove the braid and ribbon ends from the disk. Tie the ribbon ends together in an overhand knot. This cord is pretty stretchy. Pulling braid from both ends will slightly even out the cord.

Step 19

Cut a 12" piece of thread to use for each end of the cord. Leaving a 3" thread tail, tightly wrap the braid close to the end until there is a 3" section of thread left. If the thread is not wrapped tightly enough, it will slide off. Tie the two thread ends in a tight square knot. Cut the threads off leaving very short thread tails. Cut the ribbons off close to the thread wrap, being careful not to cut the thread.

Step 20

After measuring the length of chosen closure, the length of Kumihimo braid needed can be calculated. Shown here are many different types of end caps for Kumihimo. The ones on the right have attached loops, but others are just cones. They need to have the loops attached to them.

Step 21

Slide a cone and a 3mm bead on a 2½" headpin. Make a wire wrapped loop above the bead. Before wrapping the neck of the loop, attach the closure. Wire wrap the neck of the loop. Trim off the excess wire. Repeat for the other side.

Pro Tip: If a headpin slips through the top of the cone, put a small bead on the headpin before inserting it into the cone.

Step 22

Check to make sure the cord will fit into the cone without the thread showing. Use a toothpick to cover the inside of the cone with quite a bit of e-6000 glue, but not so much that it will squeeze out the bottom of the cone when the cord is inserted. Coat the end of the cord if desired. Push the end of the cord into the cone. Repeat for the other end. Set aside for at least 48 hours to let the glue cure and dry before wearing.

Step 23

Now that you have made a basic 8 strand Kumihimo braided cord, try the spiral cord with two colors of your leftover ribbon. Start with this ribbon placement on the Kumihimo Disk. Following the same directions in the tutorial will result in a two-color spiral cord.

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!