Kumihimo Instructions

Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese form of braiding. Translated, the word Kumihimo means, "gathering of threads".

The traditional form of Kumihimo is done on stands, Marudai is a circular stand and Takadai is a square stand. The stands are constructed out of smooth wood so the cords can move freely without snagging. The cords are weighted with bobbins, called Tama.

Modern Kumihimo has moved to portable boards. Kumihimo boards are made from a thick, foam base, rather than wood. The boards have notches that gently pinch the cords in place, eliminating the need for Tama.

Kumihimo Board

Kumihimo boards are not only good for the braider on the go, but they also allow anybody that is interested in the art to get their feet wet without spending the amount of money they would need for a wooden Marudai stand.

There are many varieties of braids that can be designed on the boards. The cords will take their character and pattern from the way they are laid across the board and the color of the cords used.

Here are some simple steps to help you start off creating braids.

Start your braid with position #32 at the top. Always keep tension on your lanyard while creating it by attaching a binder clip to the end of the braid.

Pick a medium - silk, thread, wire, cloth, or ribbon. Choose a variety of textures and colors. Be creative.

The thickness and length of your pieces can vary. For bracelets, start with 8 cords cut at 48 inches long (this will ensure that your piece can be shortened as necessary and will accommodate different materials). Belts, 8 cords cut at five yards. Key rings, 8 cords cut at 36 inches long. Or get inventive and go longer or shorter. There are no hard and fast rules.

Basic Instructions:

1. Choose two colors of cord.
   
   
2. Cut four 24 inch cords, two of each color.
   
   
3. Knot the center of the cords (you could also use another piece of cord or thread to tie the center). Drop the knot through the hole at the center of the Kumihimo board, make sure the numbers are face up.
   
   
   
   
4. Set the cords up on your board according to the photo.
   
   
5. Move the board so that #32 is at the top and #16 is at the bottom of the board.
   
   
   
   
6. Start with the cord to the left of #16. Pull that cord up and insert between #30 and #31. The top will now have three cords - see photo.
   
   
   
   
7. Pull the cord between #1 and #32 and insert it between #14 and #15.
   
   
   
   
8. Turn the Kumihimo board counterclockwise to the next dot. Dots are the indication of where the top and bottom should be on the Kumihimo board. With your counterclockwise turn, the number at the top of the board should now be #8 and #24 should be at the base.
   
   
   
   
9. Repeat steps six through eight until the desired length of your braid is reached. Use the same repetition with the cords, bringing the leftmost cord at the bottom up and across to the top of the Kumihimo board and inserting it to the left of the two top cords. The cord at the top right will always come down and across the Kumihimo board and inserted to the right of the bottom strand.
   
   
10. Once you have braided the desired length, remove your braid from the Kumihimo board. Tie a knot at the end of the braid and clip the excess cord.
    

After you are comfortable with the Kumihimo board, you can practice with more colors and textures. Try using fuzzy yarn or beads strung on beading wire for a unique look. The only limitations you set will be your own!