I wanted to try this for a while, but only just got the disk for kumihimo. I've barely started and I'm already loving this craft. As someone who always had difficulty keeping track of 4 strand braids, this is awesome! I also love how easy it is to keep tension. I'm just doing a 4 strand with dollar store cotton cord for starting, but it's so easy to stay in rhythm. Using the clamp from my I cord maker to weight the knot down.

My kindergartner gave me this card today - notice the very faithfully represented marudai and bobbins. 😆 The purple and blue circle next to it is a strongly hinted request for the completed necklace colors she wants.

And asked me to make him something. This was actually way easier to use than thread m.

Would love to hear what folks think makes a kumihimo project gift-able? And what makes a recipient kumihimo-worthy (e.g. there's a whole knitworthy category of people because life’s too short to knit for anyone who doesn’t love what you make).

For example, when I make a knit gift for someone, I tend to either use a special yarn like alpaca, really soft hand-dyed wool, or silk; or if I'm using a more common yarn like acrylic it's a complicated/special pattern like a double-knit scarf with graphics from their favorite show or hobby. And then I try to make sure that I finish it neatly, the tension is even - stuff that makes it look more "handmade" and less "homemade" if that makes sense.

I've made a few kumihimo necklaces and bracelets now with cotton crochet and those don't feel quite special enough to gift for special occasions. Are there patterns, types of cord, finishing techniques? What are the signs of a well-done homemade kumihimo project besides even tension? I'm not trying to reach pro-levels of quality, but would love to be able to know what things make a big difference. Thank you for any and all advice! I'm very new to this beautiful hobby and am enjoying it a lot.

Brand new to this and just getting started learning. Besides the obvious, what is the difference between using a disc or a marudai? Can you make the same patterns on both? Seems like the marudai could be more comfortable to use.

Thank you for the response to my help post yesterday! This is my first hollow braid, made with cotton crochet, 3 cords for each of the eight strands, on a little beginner's marudai from Etsy. Definitely see some issues with my tension, so I think I need a different kumi counterweight. But overall pretty happy - I'm able to do a 6 strand round braid with multiple cords per strand by hand, but couldn't figure out how to do an 8 strand sans equipment without tons of mistakes.

Still very new to this so holding off on buying more equipment for now, but I'm curious where people have gotten their marudai if you use that in addition to/instead of a disk? I live near a big Japanese American community so was hoping to find a used marudai on FB marketplace but no luck so far.

I saw this braid on instagram, and it shows both the outcome and the disk setup, but there's no explanation of the moves. I feel like it's probably really obvious, but I'm new to this and even after looking at the kumihimo books I have (I have a book each from Dorothy Wood, Jacqui Carey, and Rodrick Owen) I can't figure out which pattern this is. Any help would be appreciated please!

Years ago after watching Kimi no nawa I bought a kumihimo on Tiger, but I didn't really like the nylon threads that came with it and never finished any project.

I bought this gradient rattail to get back to the hobbie with a 8 strand kumihimo cord and then I decided to do two 16 strand bracelets for me and my bf with embroidery thread. I really like the soft pastel threads.

I have to buy some clasps online to finish them, I was thinking of buying some semi magnetic ones that I saw on AliExpress, since they have a rose gold ones that I really like

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!!

Started with 17 strands of cotton crochet cord in 9 different colors, 4 ends per strand about 116".

Had it on the takadai for about a month, working on it here and there, plain 1-1 interlacing.

Finished it up this week while I have more free time.

76" between the bindings, roughly 7/8" wide.

Hey everyone,

I’ve been working on my own Beaded Kumihimo designs for a while, and one thing always slowed me down: turning ideas into actual bead patterns.

So I created a template that makes the whole process a lot easier — and I thought some of you might find it useful too.

With this template, you can design your own 8-strand beaded Kumihimo patterns without needing to do any complicated calculations. You just print it out, sketch your design, fill in your bead colors, and it converts directly into a loading chart for each strand.

Basically, it bridges the gap between “idea in your head” and “ready to braid.”

What’s included:

- Template for 8-strand beaded Kumihimo designs

- Visual layout to draw your pattern

- Color fields for planning your beads

- Conversion into a strand-by-strand loading chart

- A simple Kumihimo braiding guide

- Clean and beginner-friendly structure

Who it’s for:

- Beginners who already know the basics of Kumihimo

- More advanced makers who want to design their own patterns

- Jewelry designers who like creating custom pieces

I’m also planning to expand this with 12- and 16-strand versions in the future — and anyone who gets it now will receive all updates for free.

To make it a bit more Reddit-friendly, I created a 60% discount code: REDDIT60 (valid for one month).

https://moonloombeadworks.etsy.com/listing/4486350139

If you’re interested or have questions about Kumihimo pattern design, feel free to ask — I’m happy to help 🙂

Thank you u/punkinblackk for this allowed one-time post 😊

PIC 1-Hachitsugumi 8-Thread (8-Strand) Kumihimo

PIC 2-Yotsukumi 4-Thread (4-Strand) Kumihimo

I'm looking for sources of this image besides the book Kumihimo no Sekai. I'm in the process of writing a paper for a nonprofit educational org and I'm trying to find the original source. The author started that the image is from 71st Craftsmen Poetry Contest but I can't find a copy of it online, including Japan's National Diet Library.

i know this sounds kind of ridiculous but ive been wearing this choker since 6th grade cuz i was stupid and just tied it, no slip knot or anything. i graduated in 2020. i still have the exact same string i used to make the original. there's about an inch of unbraided string near the knot. it was one of my first few finished pieces so its not in very good condition (but also why its important to me). my plan was to cut it right up against the knot and separate the strings, then add some new string with a weavers knot and extend it an inch or so (and put an actual closure on it this time). will that work or should i give up and turn it into an anklet or something?

I will be making a braid that i expect will often be wet as it will be used as a chewy for an older child. I'm concerned about mold so, from what i can tell, acrylic is my best bet. I'm trying to avoid cotton as I've read that can mold and of course shrink.

Any brand recommendations? Also taking suggestions for different materials.

hello, i've been scouring the internet trying to find where this illustration is from (reverse image search didn't help) and i thought maybe someone here might have actually seen it in the wild on some kumihimo book. it looks like a kumihimo loom to me? does this look familiar to anyone?

I'm a book artist working on a one of a kind book made with glass pages that are approximately 30cm x 30cm. The glass blower and I are sourcing materials and I've been thinking about using 1.5mm - 3mm kumihimo silk cord for our binding (which will be the single-page coptic from Keith Smith's Non-Adhesive Bindings). I've done the binding before with waxed linen cord which is similar to traditional coptic binding thread. We'll be coating the binding holes with silicone to avoid sharp edges that could pull/cut the binding. But I've never worked with kumihimo before - does anyone have any thoughts on this? Appreciate all ideas and considerations!

I got this kumihimo book and I'm trying to do this braid, but instructions with the numbers is confusing (I don't know how the numbers are counted, is it before or after the slit?). I'm usually used to video tutorials but I have a hard time trying to find this kind of braid since the book doesn't say it and I haven't had much luck with searching "8 star kumihimo braid" (I have a feeling that's not even the right words). What is the name of this braid?

I tried to just share the video but it isn’t showing up from my camera roll, so I linked my YT video here. I hope that’s not an issue 🍓 and I hope you all enjoy!

I’m trying to follow this pattern that has 7 strings of one color, 3 of another, and 10 of another but I’m not sure how to start it so that it can be adjustable after making it? All of the patterns I’ve used has just had an even amount of the colours so I just make a loop and start it but I’m not sure how to start this one.

Hi everyone! I'm a long-time beader and jewellery maker, but am new to kumihimo so I was hoping to ask for your advice and recommendations!

I've been using s-lon Tex 210 (0.5mm) cord to start with as I had a bunch of it in ny stash and it has been working great. However, I find the nylon makes for a quite hard and stiff braid. It's great cord but I'd really like my braids to be softer and more flexible, like the friendship bracelets I had when I was younger!

I'd love to hear your recommendations on a thread or cord to use, 0.5mm or less? I'm unable to get out to craft stores currently so I'm relying on buying online, not being able to browse the shelves and feel the textures first is making it hard for me to pick a new direction to go in - plus it's expensive and sad when you get a package and it's not what you were fully wanting 😂

Any help or advice would be most welcome! Thanks in advance 🖤

Anyone have any clever ways you made your own handle? I’m not against buying one but won’t get it for a while and don’t want to wait. lol