Braid Making

Braid Making (Kumihimo) Tools

Kumihimo is a Japanese way of making cord by braiding. The Kumihimo Disk and Plate are both a great way to introduce kumihimo to your children and friends. They travel well and make wonderful tools for experimenting and sampling braids. You may need extra EZ Bobs to hold your threads when you’re making more complex braids.

Kumihimo Disk Kit: The Disk is circular, 15 cm/6 inches in diameter and made of 50mm/3/8" dense foam. It is sturdy and holds the threads firmly. The Kit includes instructions in English two pages for eight end round braids, one eight end flat braid and a sixteen end round braid. There is also information on thread selection, using EZ Bobs and adding beads to your braid. £9.50

Kumihimo Plate Kit. The Plate is 15 cm/6 inches square and made of the same dense foam as the disk. Use it to make flat braids and zigzag braids. Instructions in English - two pages for six flat braids, including the Zig Zag braid. There is also information on thread selection, using EZ Bobs and adding beads to braids. £9.50

E-Z Bobs allow the braider to control long warps on the disk and plate; depending on the thickness of the thread used, up to four yards can be loaded onto the small bobbins. Adjust the Bobs so that they all hang three to four inches under the disk or plate and make yards of braid. Small. 
£0.25

Books on braidmaking

Bead & Braids Jacqui Carey A practical and inspirational guide to the many ways of combining beads with braids. £18.95

The Beginner’s Guide to Braiding – the craft of Kumihimo Jacqui Carey Clear step-by-step photos guide the beginner through six projects to learn how to make a variety of braids. Tips on equipment, and advice on developing the projects using a variety of patterns, colours and textures to create over 70 other braids. £7.95

The Braider’s Bible – over 200 braids to loop, knot, weave and twist Jacqui Carey Make the perfect finishing touch to clothing, soft furnishings, accessories, cards, gift boxes or make beaded braid jewellery and friendship bracelets. Experiment with texture and colour. This collection is organised according to structure. Each braid is featured in close-up with a list of materials and step-by-step instructions. All the techniques used are clearly illustrated in a series of close-up photos. £15.99

Creative Kumihimo Jacqui Carey Over 50 structures are explained in this book. Different patterns on these structures can be achieved by rearranging the starting positions of the coloured threads. £14.95

Kumihimo Accesssories Makiko Tada, consultant This is a companion to the disk. It is written in Japanese and has clear photos and graphics of several braid structures and motifs illustrating how the braids change simply by changing the colours before braiding starts. In Japanese with English notes. Softcover, 54 pages. £4.00

Kumihimo for Disk and Plate This full colour book features braids for strap, key holder, friendship bracelet and necklace. Great diagrams and photos with step-by-step instructions. In Japanese with English notes. Softcover, 60 pages. £7.95

More Kumihimo Designs: Mini Book For the disk; some of the same braids as in Kumihimo Accesssories plus new braids including a flat spiral and a braid with beads! Ten braids in all! In Japanese with diagrams and English notes. Softcover, 32 pages. £3.75

More Kumihimo for Disk and Plate Five braids for each; some duplication with the first book. This full colour book has new ideas for anklets, shoe laces, bracelets, necklaces, keyholders and straps for a tote bag! Great diagrams and photos with step-by-step instructions. In Japanese with English notes. Softcover, 60 pages. £7.95

Back to Lucets	Forward to Felting

Return to top of page