Standard 8 Braided Kumihimo

Take the bottom cord to the left of “S” (between 16
and 17) and take this up to the left of the top cord
(between 30 and 31)
Standard 8 Braided Kumihimo
Measure the length
you need your finished
item to be, then cut 4
strands of cord each 4
times the length of
your finished design,
when you are first
learning it’s easiest to
start with 2 contrasting
colours. Place the 4
strands together and fold them in half, tie the centre
with a spare piece of cord.
Nb: For a 8” bracelet a guide is around 4mtrs of cord.
Push the centre of the
cord through the
middle hole of the disk
(It can be useful to clip
our kumihimo weight
onto the scrap cord to
help to pull the braid
down)
For a standard 2
colour twist you will
need to arrange the
same colour cords
either side of N and
S and the same
colour cords either
side of W and E.
To follow Riverside Beads instructions you will need
to place north at the top, once you have mastered the
technique you can start anywhere.
Take the cord to the right
of the “N”, (between 32
and 1) and bring if down
to the right of the bottom
cord (between 14 and
15)
You can vary the finished bracelet by changing the
position & the colours of cord you use, you can use
upto 8 different colours!
Here are some before and after braids…
Now turn the disk anti
clockwise so that “E” is at
the top and repeat the
previous step, this time
the cords from the top
right (between 8 and 9)
and will go to the right of
“W” (between 22 and 23)
and the cord from the
bottom left will go to the left of “E” (between 6 and 7)
Turn the disk a quarter turn anti clockwise again (“S”
will now be at the top)
Repeat the previous steps by taking the cord to the
right of the top cords and bringing it down to the right
of the bottom cords and then the cord to the left of
the bottom cords up to the left of the top cords and
rotating anti clockwise after these 2 moves. A swirly
braid will start to come through the centre of the disk.
When you are working out your size remember to
allow about ¾” that the fastening will add when you
attach it. When your cord is the desired length, take
the 4 cords on opposite sides of the disk and tie them
on the top of the disk, repeat with the remaining 4
cords, add some glue to ensure they don’t slip
undone (we use hypo cement for this) when this is
dry cut off any spare cord. Alternatively whilst the
braid is on the disk add some glue to the centre and
when dry cut the cords off, this can make a smaller
end to fit into the cap.
Take your end caps and
place E-6000 glue into the
cap, put the end of the
cord into the cap and twist
to ensure the glue
secures the cord into the
ends, leave to dry.
TOP TIP: If you need to put the disk down mid braid
place a cord so you have 3 cords, you then know you
need to take the bottom left braid up next.
Here is a guide to the size ends you will need:Fine cords (0.6mm macramé cord) use a 6x7
1-1.5mm, rats tail use a 8x9
2mm or above rats tail use 10x11
www.riverside beads.co.uk stock a great selection of
unsual sizes and finishes for your Kumihimo ends,
visit our website under “Kumihimo” for the full range
Rose Gold
*
Ends from 2mm * Charm droppers
Magnetic ends * Shamballa style * flat end caps
Beaded Crystal Twist bracelet
To create the beaded twist the
technique of how you move the
cords to is the same I will explain
how to add the beads.
Place the 4 strands
together and fold them in
half, tie the centre with a
spare piece of cord. Push
the centre of the cord
through the middle hole of
the disk (It can be useful to
clip our kumihimo weight onto the scrap cord to help
to pull the braid down)
Thread 25 size 8s on the
cords to the right of 32 &
16, thread 25 size 5s on
the cords to the right of 8,
15, 24 & 31, thread 25
6mm crystals onto the
cords to the right of 7 &
23. If you are having
trouble threading the beads on cut the cord at an
angle and put clear nail varnish on to stiffen the cord.
Follow us on facebook for a top tip video on this!
Leave 10 beads on each
cord on the top of the disk
for ease of working, you
can tie a knot in the bottom
of each cord, then wrap
the remaining cord and
beads round your bobbins
if you find it easier to manage them.
Take the cord between
32 & 1 and move it
between 14 & 15, then
take the cord between
16 & 17 and move it
between 30 & 31, rotate
the disk so “E” is at the
top, complete about 10
braids without any beads
(this is the cord you will
attach the fastening to at the end a 6x7 bell closure)
Take your next cord you are working on and push 10
beads onto the top of the disk for ease of working,
As you take the next cord
over, push one bead
down and rest it on the
outside of the cord it is
crossing, place the cord
down as you normally
would, repeat this on the
cord you are taking up, again popping a bead down
before you lay the cord in the disk, rotate the disk anti
clockwise and repeat.
Remember to add a bead
as you take each cord
over and ensure none of
the other beads slide into
the centre as you are
working, when you have
used the 10 beads you
have on your disk, undo
your bobbins (If you are
using them) and slid 10 more beads up.
This number of beads is a
guide, if you need a few more
or less you can untie your
knots and add/take away a few
to create the desired length.
When your braid is finished, do
10 braids with no beads on
either tie off the cord or add
hypo cement to the centre of the braid to secure, then
cut the surplus cord off. Take your end caps and
place E600 glue into the
cap, put the end of the cord
into the cap and twist to
ensure the glue secures the
cord into the ends, leave to
dry.
The 0.6mm macramé cord is strong and flexible for your
beaded kumihimo projects, if you are having trouble
threading the beads check out Riverside Beads on
Facebook for our top tip video also be patient and left the
varnish dry it will make the threading a lot easier!
Riverside Beads Corded Bead Braid
Here’s how to create the braid
with the cord showing on the
outside. As you add a bead you
place it in-between the 2 cords
that you are crossing over.
Ensure it stays
here otherwise if will pop out of the
braid like the beaded twist bracelet.
Follow the previous instructions to
braid.
Supplies list:0.6mm macramé cord - 6x7mm Bell closure end caps
E600 glue - Size 8 & 5 beads and 6mm crystals.
Why not try one of our other beaded kumihimo kits?
Magatama bracelet
Crystal necklace
Flat beaded kumihimo
exclusive to Riverside Beads
Seed Bead bracelet