Retired - Beaded Kumihimo Holiday Wreath Bracelet

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.

1. To begin this project, please watch the tutorial: How to Braid Beaded Kumihimo with Long Magatama Beads.
2. Cut 8 Super-Lon green cords so that they are 30" long each.
3. Take your 2 tubes of metallic green long magatama beads and spread them out on your work surface. Divide them into 4 somewhat even piles. Load one of the bead piles onto 1 cut strand of green Super-Lon. Wind the cord and beads into a bobbin making sure to leave about 10 inches sticking out of the bobbin without beads. Load the 3 other bead piles onto 3 other strands of Super-Lon and wind onto 3 bobbins.
4. Repeat the previous step with your metallic dark bronze long magatamas and 4 remaining cut strands of Super-Lon.
5. Tie all your 8 ends into a simple knot. Thread this knot through the middle of your round kumihimo disc and attach a weight.
6. Place a strand with metallic green beads in the slot to the left of the 32 dot, another to the right of the 32 dot, one to the left of the 16 dot, and another to the right of the 16 dot.
7. Place a strand with metallic dark bronze beads in the slot to the left of the 8 dot, another to the right of the 8 dot, one to the left of the 24 dot, and another to the right of the 24 dot.
8. Begin braiding as shown in the video. Braid at least 1/2" without beads. Braid 6 inches with beads. At this point realize that your clasp will add almost 1.5" to your bracelet - so 6" of beading with 1.5" clasp equals a 7.5" bracelet approximately. This bracelet is not meant to be worn super snug, but it should fit comfortably. Decide if you need to braid more with beads or just finish your braid by braiding a 1/2" more without beads.
9. Please watch the video on How to Tie Off and Finish Kumihimo Braid Ends. This video shows 2 different techniques, for this particular bracelet, use the one that has you wrapping another cord around the end to build up the diameter of the braid end. Use this technique on both your bracelet ends and then attach your clasp to each end using E6000 glue to glue them in place. Let fully dry.
10. Now we are going to add the Czech Crystal 4mm bicones in light siam.
11. To add the above beads, thread a size 12 needle with 5 feet of Nymo thread in olive green. Tie the end of your thread to your braided Super-Lon cord, right up near one of your clasp ends. Try to make the knot discreet. We are going to sew the bicones into the braid at random intervals along your beaded kumihimo bracelet. When adding a bicone, string the bicone onto the thread, slide the bicone down to rest amongst the magatamas, and then pass the needle right through the center of the braid and exit at the next point you want a bicone. Keep doing this until you have used 30 - 40 bicones and have reached the other end of your bracelet.
12. When you have added all your bicones, tie off your thread near the clasp on this end of your bracelet. Make sure it is secure. Trim any thread tails with your scissors.
13. All done!

• FCR-4224 - 22K Gold Plated Cone Shaped Hook & Eye Cord Ends -Fits Up To 6.2mm Cord (4 Sets)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• KMG-023 - Miyuki Long Magatama Seed Beads - 4x7mm 'Metallic Olive' 8.5 Grams
  Project uses 2 tubes. You will need 2 packages.


• KMG-014 - Miyuki Long Magatama Seed Beads - 4x7mm 'Metallic Dark Bronze' 8.5 Grams
  Project uses 2 tubes. You will need 2 packages.


• XCR-4240 - BeadSmith Super-Lon Cord - Size 18 Twisted Nylon - Green / 77 Yard Spool
  Project uses 20 feet. You will need 1 package.


• XCR-8908 - NYMO Nylon Beading Thread Size D for Delica Beads Olive Green 64YD (58 Meters)
  Project uses 5 feet. You will need 1 package.


• BCZ-5485 - Preciosa Czech Crystal 4mm Bicone Beads Light Siam (50)
  Project uses 34 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• XTL-1054 - E6000 Industrial Strength Glue Adhesive (0.18 fl oz)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.

• 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-5700 - Fiskars 5 Precision Tip Scissors - Super Sharp
• XTL-3006 - Beadsmith English Beading Needles Size 12 (4 Needles)
• XTL-6063 - Gator Weight For Kumihimo Braiding - 1.6 Ounces (1)