Note: Components and tools listed within this INSTRUCTIONS box and the printer-friendly PDF, if available, may have been discontinued since
this project was published. Refer to the PURCHASE COMPONENTS and TOOLS AND OTHER SUPPLIES sections for current availability.
These instructions will make a 32 inch necklace. To modify the size, adjust the length of chain used on either side respectively. You will also need a scrap of wire or toothpick to complete this project.
- If you are new to kumihimo, begin by watching our video on how to braid beaded kumihimo.
- Based on the technique shown in the video, cut eight 3 foot lengths of gray S-lon cord and tie them together with an overhand knot at one end.
- String 33 Toho 8/0 olivine seed beads onto four of the strands.
- String 33 copper 8/0 copper seed beads onto the four remaining strands.
- Wind your threads onto the bobbins as shown in the video.
- Arrange the threads in your kumihimo disc in the following order: Two strands of olivine seed beads on either side of the 32 dot at the top, two strands of olivine seed beads on either side of the 16 dot at the bottom, two strands of copper seed beads on either side of the 24 dot at the left, and two strands of copper seed beads on either side of the 8 dot at the right. Attach your weight to the knot after you have positioned your cords.
- Begin braiding as shown in the video. Braid about 1 inch of cord before you begin adding the beads.
- Continue braiding until you have added all of your beads. Then continue braiding 1 inch of cord without beads, same as you did at the beginning.
- Carefully remove the braid from the disc, trim the bobbins off, and tie an overhand knot.
- To add your bail and feather charm: Slide on your bail and position it at the center of your beaded braid. If necessary, gently twist the bail to fit it over the beads. Then use pliers to open a 6mm jump ring and slide on the loop of your bail. Also slide on the loop of your feather charm. Close the jump ring.
- To attach your cord ends: Please watch the end of this video. Using the finishing technique shown in the video, size one end of your braid to fit inside your cord end. To do this, take a length of S-lon cord and tie an overhand knot over the braided portion of the end of the Kumihimo without the beads. Tie a second overhand knot to secure. Then take the tails and wrap around the braided portion to bulk up the tail end. When it is the right bulk to fit in the well of the clasp, tie another knot to secure and trim the ends with your scissors. Using a toothpick or scrap of wire, add a dab of E6000 into the well of one cord end. Place one end of the braid into the cord end. Repeat this step to attach a cord end on the other side of your braid. Let dry for at least 20 minutes.
- To attach your chain: Use cutters to cut two 12 inch lengths of double link cable chain. Open a jump ring and slide on the loop on one cord ends, and attach it to the end link of one 12 inch chain. Close the jump ring. In this same manner, attach your second length of chain to your other cord end.
- To attach your clasp: Open another jump ring and attach one side of your toggle clasp to one end of the chain. Close the jump ring. Repeat this step to attach the other side of your clasp on the opposite side of your necklace. All Done!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED: (scroll down for purchase options)
- BMS-0801 - Genuine Metal Seed Beads 8/0 Copper 38 Grams
Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.
- JSH-0111 - Toho Round Seed Beads 8/0 508 'Higher Metallic Iris Olivine' 8 Gram Tube
Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.
- PNT-009 - TierraCast Pewter Pendant, Native Feather 72mm, 1 Piece, Antiqued Copper Plated
Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.
- FCO-9386 - Slider Bail, Roped Round 16mm, Fits 8mm Cord, Antiqued Copper, 2 Pieces, By TierraCast
Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.
- FCR-4260 - Cord End, Roped Dome 12.5mm, Fits 5mm Cord, Antiqued Copper, 2 Pieces, By TierraCast
Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.
- XCR-4613 - Super-Lon (S-Lon) Cord - Size #18 Twisted Nylon - Gray (77 Yard Spool)
Project uses 1 spool. You will need 1 package.
- CHA-9852 - Antiqued Copper Plated Textured Double Link Cable Chain, 5mm, by the Foot
Project uses 24 inches. You will need 2 packages.
- FCL-7038 - TierraCast Copper Plated Pewter Large Leaf Toggle Clasp 16.5mm (1)
Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.
- FJR-3093 - Antiqued Copper Plated Open Jump Rings 6mm 20 Gauge (50)
Project uses 5 pieces. You will need 1 package.
- XTL-1054 - E6000 Industrial Strength Glue Adhesive (0.18 fl oz)
Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS:- XTL-6095 - Beadsmith Lightweight Kumihimo Round Disc Disk For Japanese Braiding and Cording 35mm Hole
- XTL-6108 - No Tangle Flexible Plastic Thread Bobbins For Kumihimo Or Macrame 2 1/2 Inch (8 Pack)
- XTL-6063 - Gator Weight For Kumihimo Braiding - 1.6 Ounces (1)
- XTL-5700 - Fiskars 5 Precision Tip Scissors - Super Sharp
- XTL-5600 - Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - For Cutting Beading Wire, 1 Piece
- XTL-0020 - Baby Wubbers Quality Fine Chain Nose Jeweller's Pliers
- XTL-0023 - Baby Wubbers Quality Fine Bent Chain Nose Jeweller's Pliers
- XTL-9920 - Beadaholique Bead Mat, 12.5x9.25 Inches, 1 Piece
For closed captions/subtitles, click the CC icon on the video player after starting the video.
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