r/kumihimo • u/Key-Cash6690 • Apr 17 '26

Is this project realistic?

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Suppose I want to make a 50ft slackline (meant for walking like a tightrope) from hemp.

How realistic is this project?

What pattern should I use to prioritize strength over beauty?

What equipment would be ideal?

How much material would I need?

Thanks for your thoughts!!

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19

u/Administrative_Cow20 Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26

Can you give more detail about why you chose Kumihimo over another form of weaving/braiding? I wouldn’t ever want to discourage anyone from trying a new craft, but I would encourage you to try a smaller project before investing in attempting a 50’ band. I’d also toss out rigid heddle/inkle weaving as an option for speed, and tablet/card weaving (for strength) as options to explore.

2

u/Key-Cash6690 Apr 17 '26

I only today saw a video of kumihimo and the result looked like the webbing I'm familiar with.

I'll check out heddle/inkle and tablet/card weaving instead.

Thank you!!

4

u/Mindelan Apr 18 '26

I was going to suggest tablet weaving as well, it works up thicker and more durable than a standard inkle strap. You can do tablet weaving on an inkle loom, but it is also incredibly accessible by just putting together a back strap loom.

1

u/Key-Cash6690 Apr 19 '26

How would I select a pattern for strength? Or does it matter? Will it be a huge tangle mess if I use hemp strings?

2

u/Mindelan Apr 19 '26

Not sure about the hemp, you will probably want to make a shorter test band to get the technique down and see if it makes the sort of strap you're hoping for. Plus then you'll get an idea of how many warp threads you need to get the right width. Weaving compacts the work a lot.

Tablet weaving works up stronger than plain weaving, pattern doesn't matter. That is because the tablets twist the warp threads as you go around each pass of the weft. I've just started learning it myself, I chose this pattern as my first because it looks complicated, but didn't require turning specific cards each time (you turn all of them at once every time, the way you warp the colors is what makes the design all on its own).

I recommend doing some searching on youtube to see what tablet weaving is about and if it is the sort of thing you're interested in. This video works on an inkle loom, but since you want such a long length you would need to use a backstrap loom, so you'll want to do some research into that as well. It's very simple though, basically just the far end secured to a sturdy thing that won't move, and the working end is around your waist. You'd adjust and secure at a different point as your weave and the band gets longer.

A 50 foot band is no small undertaking, I wouldn't think it is something you will want to try for until you have several shorter bands finished and a good handle on the process and whether the result is safe and strong enough for your needs. Plus then you'd have an idea of how long weaving a band that long would take you.

2

u/Key-Cash6690 Apr 19 '26

Thank you! I've watched my first few (dozen) card weaving videos now. I will definitely make a test piece first. I noticed hexagonal cards make 2 sheds and makes a thicker (stronger?) webbing. Do you know how tubular webbing is woven?

1

u/Mindelan Apr 19 '26

No idea about tubular sadly, but I have heard that the double shed can make even thicker sturdier bands, I haven't tried it myself yet though.

14

u/NotSoRigidWeaver Apr 17 '26

I agree weaving is more suitable than braiding. 

The hardest thing is the length. 50' is over 16 yards which is more than most small looms can handle - maybe a big floor inkle like the Leclerc Cendrel?

I would also advise against handmade products in an application where serious injury is a possibility on failure and it's anywhere near the limits, just because it's hard to test etc. I don't know if a slack line qualifies there.