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.
You will need to use some type of weight for this project. Instead of a gator weight, you can also create a weight using a binder clip and a dapping tool. You will also need 2 pieces of tape. This project is not difficult but it is time consuming. Allow yourself many hours to complete this.
- To start this project, unwrap the Griffin Silk Cord from each of their cards. Re-wrap all of them back onto their cards, except the green color, by wrapping the needle end first onto the card. Keep wrapping until you have wrapped all but 12 inches.
- Take all of their tales, including the green ones (non needle side) and tie a simple overhand knot about 1 inch from the end. Now string onto each of the green cords 60 Miyuki Delica beads size 11/0 in gold plated. Now re-wrap the green cords onto their cards, needle end first, trapping the beads between the knot you tied in the beginning of this step and the 12 inches of cord you are going to leave between the knot and the card.
- It is now time to place your cords onto your Kumihimo disk. Thread the knot through the hole in the middle of the disk and attach a weight to it. Hold your Kumihimo disk so the 32 is up top and the numbers are facing you. Arrange your threads in the following position: the green cord to the slot between the 31 and 32. The purple cord to the right of the 32 between the 32 and the 1. The red cord between the 24 and 25. The brown cord between the 23 and 24. The green cord between the 15 and 16. The purple cord between the 16 and 17. The red cord between the 8 and 9. And finally, the brown cord between the 7 and 8. For your cords that have beads on them, make sure to slide them down so they are touching their respective cards and not trapped on the disk or near the knot.
- Please watch the video on How to Braid Beaded Kumihimo.
- Based upon what you learned in the video, braid 1/2 inch without beads, then braid the entire rest of your length with beads until you end up with approx. 12 inches of cord left on your green spools. After that, braid another 1/2 inch without beads. For the beaded portion, you will need to add more beads to your green cords as you go. To do this, just unwind the card, add the beads, and then rewind your silk onto the card. You will find that when you have finished braiding, you will have far less green cord left then the other colors - this is because it takes up more cord to add the beads. In the end, you will have a length of braided and beaded kumihimo that is approx 26" long.
- Please watch the video on How to Tie Off and Finish Kumihimo Braid Ends.
- From what you learned in the video, use the taping method and place tape over the non-beaded braided ends of your kumihimo braid, right up next to the beads.
- Once you have taped an end, cut through the tape 1/4" from the beadwork.
- Place a dab of E6000 glue over your cut off cord ends. Place the gold plated cone shaped hook cord end of your clasp set over the glue and one of your cords. Place the eye cord end portion onto the other. Close your clasp.
- You're done!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED: (scroll down for purchase options)
- DBM-0031 - Miyuki Delica Seed Beads 10/0 24K Gold Plated DBM0031 8 GR
Project uses 1 tube. 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.
- FCR-4222 - 22K Gold Plated Cone Shaped Hook & Eye Cord Ends -Fits Up To 3.2mm Cord (4 Sets)
Project uses 1 set. You will need 1 package.
- XCR-9609 - Griffin Silk Beading Cord & Needle Size 6 Amethyst Purple
Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 2 packages.
- XCR-9614 - Griffin Silk Beading Cord & Needle Size 6 Garnet Red
Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 2 packages.
- XCR-9619 - Griffin Silk Beading Cord & Needle Size 6 Brown
Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 2 packages.
- XCR-9607 - Griffin Silk Beading Cord & Needle Size 6 Dk. Green
Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 2 packages.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS:- XTL-5700 - Fiskars 5 Precision Tip Scissors - Super Sharp
- XTL-6095 - Beadsmith Lightweight Kumihimo Round Disc Disk For Japanese Braiding and Cording 35mm Hole
- XTL-6063 - Gator Weight For Kumihimo Braiding - 1.6 Ounces (1)
For closed captions/subtitles, click the CC icon on the video player after starting the video.
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