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.
In addition to the materials listed above, you will also need a piece of string and some Scotch tape to complete this project. These instructions will make an 8 1/4 inch bracelet. To make a longer or shorter bracelet, adjust the length of the beaded portions of the kumihimo.
- Begin by watching our video on how to braid beaded kumihimo and make a bracelet.
- Based on the instructions in the video, cut eight 27 inch lengths of neon satin rattail (this should use nearly the whole package of rattail cord). Tie an overhand knot to tie the cords together at one end.
- String 15 aqua seed beads onto one of the strands, and 15 green seed beads onto another strand. Wind your cords in the bobbins as shown in the video.
- Arrange the cords in the kumihimo disc, placing the aqua beaded strand between 32 and 1, and the green beaded strand between 16 and 17. The other cords should go on either side of the dots on your kumihimo disc, as shown in the video. Attach your weight to the knot after you have positioned your cords.
- Begin braiding without beads for about 1 inch.
- Then add beads to your braid and weave for 2 inches, using all 15 beads per strand in these two inches.
- Next, watch our video on how to add a large hole European style bead to beaded kumihimo.
- Based on the instructions in the video, tie the end of your braid together with a piece of string, pass the ends of all eight cords through the TierraCast elephant large hole bead, and pop your cords out of the kumihimo disc to slide the bead down to the braid. Then untie the piece of string and make sure the bead is snug against the end of the beaded braid.
- String 7 Aqua seed beads onto one of your cords, and 7 green seed beads onto another cord. Wind your cords back in the bobbins.
- Repeat step 4, arranging your strands in the kumihimo disc with the beaded strands in the same positions as before. (It doesn't matter if they were the same cords that had beads on them to begin with, only that the beaded strands are arranged in the same place on the disc so the bead pattern won't be disrupted.)
- Braid with beads for about 1 inch, using all 7 beads per strand.
- Repeat steps 8-11, adding the TierraCast owl large hole bead onto your bracelet and weaving another 1 inch of beaded kumihimo.
- Repeat step 8, adding the TierraCast lion large hole bead onto your bracelet.
- Repeat steps 3-4, stringing 15 beads onto two of your strands and arranging the cords in the disc to resume braiding.
- Braid with beads for 2 inches, using all 15 beads per strand in these two inches.
- Continue braiding without beads for about 1 inch. Then take your weaving off of the disc, knot your threads and cut off the excess rattail.
- Watch our video on how to tie off and finish kumihimo braid ends. Based on the Scotch tape technique shown in the video, cut a piece of tape and wrap it tightly around the unbraided section at one end of your bracelet. Cut through the taped part of the braid with scissors, leaving about 1/4 inch on the bracelet.
- Squeeze a few drops of E6000 glue into one silver cord end. Then place the taped end of the bracelet into the cord end.
- Repeat steps 17-18 to finish the other end of the bracelet. Allow the glue to dry overnight.
- Using your pliers, open a jump ring. Slide it through the loop at the tip of one cord end, and also slide it through the loop of your clasp. Close the jump ring.
- Open another jump ring. Slide it through the loop of the other cord end. Close the jump ring.
- Enjoy your bracelet!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED: (scroll down for purchase options)
- JSF-0142 - Toho Round Seed Beads 6/0 954 'Aqua/Lt Jonquil Lined' 8 Gram Tube
Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.
- JSF-0097 - Toho Round Seed Beads 6/0 307 'Aqua/Opaque Yellow Lined' 8 Gram Tube
Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.
- XCR-0121 - Rayon Satin Rattail 1mm Cord - Knot & Braid - Neon Rainbow (6 Yards)
Project uses 18 feet. You will need 1 package.
- BMB-3101 - TierraCast Silver Plated Pewter European Style Large Hole Elephant Bead 11mm (1)
Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.
- BMB-3104 - TierraCast Silver Plated Pewter European Style Large Hole Lion Bead 11.5mm (1)
Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.
- BMB-3105 - TierraCast Silver Plated Pewter European Style Large Hole Owl Bead 12mm (1)
Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.
- FCR-2129 - TierraCast Maker's Collection, Taj Cord Ends Fits 6mm, 2 Pieces, Silver Tone
Project uses 2 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.
- FJR-5160 - Silver Plated Open Jump Rings 6mm 19 Gauge (x100)
Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.
- FCL-1144 - TierraCast Brass, Lobster Clasps 15x9mm, 4 Pieces, Silver Plated
Project uses 1 piece. 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-5511 - Beadsmith Jeweller's Micro Pliers Chain Nose Flat Nose
- XTL-5514 - Beadsmith Jewelry Fine Round Nose Micro Pliers
For closed captions/subtitles, click the CC icon on the video player after starting the video.
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