"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery" — Mark Van Doren

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Kumihimo Info

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• My Kumihimo class handout with Kumihimo history, how-to, bibliography, and webography (PDF)


• Video: Basics and History of Kumihimo w/ Debbie Coyle — My beginning kumihimo class making a round braid with 8 bobbins. How to prep for the online class (YouTube)


• Introduction to Kumihimo by Noble Anne of østgarðr This includes an intro to kumihimo; history of kumihimo braids, tools, and fibers; and a great source list. (PDF)


• More cool kumihimo posts by Noble Anne of østgarðr Her fiber art blog entries!

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Kumihimo Patterns

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Flat Braids

• Hira Kara Gumi — 8 strands on Handheld Disk

  3 Color Braid Pattern: Solid color edges, and 2 color chevrons in the center (PDF)
  2 Color Braid Pattern: Solid color edges, and solid color center (PDF)
  Altavia Pattern: 2 color braid — solid black center, green and white edges (PDF)
  Angels Pattern: 2 color braid — solid yellow center, red and yellow edges (PDF) It looks like little angels!
  Laurel Wreath Pattern: 2 color braid — solid green center, green and yellow edges (PDF)

Round Braids

• Yatsu Kongoh Gumi — One Up / One Down — 8 strands on Handheld Disk

  • What A Knit's: "Yatsu-Kongoh-gumi, Yatsu-kongoh, Round Braid 101" (Archived copy)
  • My One Up / One Down Pattern handout

• Fill the Gap — 7 or 10 strands on a Handheld Disk

  • The Braid Society's 7 strand instructions & 10 strand instructions
  • My Fill in the Gap Pattern handout

• Maru Yatsu Gumi — 8 strands on Handheld Disk or Marudai

  Disk Pattern with color layouts for:       3 two color patterns: 1) Stripes, 2) Spirals, 3) Herringbone Spots
  Disk Pattern for Filled Diamond pattern SCA Award version: Caid, Laurel, & Pelican designs SCA Altavia Awards version: Argent, Sable, Vert Frets designs SCA Pelican Cord version: White with red spots
  Marudai Pattern: Done on a braiding stool instead of a handheld disk	All of the above color layouts can be executed on the marudai as well

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Make Your Own Kumihimo Equipment

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Homemade Kumihimo Kit (disk, bobbins, etc.)

• Virtual Kumihimo Class Prep Info

Homemade Tama (bobbins)

• Cheap and Easy Homemade bobbins

Homemade Marudai (braiding stand)

• Homemade Cardboard Marudai An oatmeal container + 2 cardboard "cake rounds" from JoAnn's= a cheap, homemade marudai!


• Homemade Wooden Marudai A round side table found at a yard sale + a wooden dinner plate = a cheap, homemade marudai!

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Book Recommendations for Kumihimo

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• Beginner's Guide to Braiding: The craft of Kumihimo by Jacqui Carey
  This is a great beginner's book for kumihimo braiding on the maurdai. She provides illustrations and clear explanations of every step.

• Braids: 250 Patterns from Japan, Peru & Beyond by Rodrick Owen
  EVERYTHING you want to know about kumihimo on the marudai and handheld cards! Includes history, info for making your own marudai and cards, and MUCH more.

• Beads and Braids by Jacqui Carey
  If you want to add beads to you kumihimo, this book is the one for you! There doesn't seems to be a method of attaching beads that she's missed!

• Making Kumihimo: Japanese Interlaced Braids by Rodrick Owen
  Kumihimo on the takadai!

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Kumihimo Links

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Online Resources

• Kumihimo braiding videos on YouTube

• Free kumihimo patterns online (Google search)

My Kumihimo Kits (for sale)

Kumihimo Kits: Flat, Round, & Square Kits Each kit includes all you need, and is ready for you to start creating a kumihimo braid: Complete instructions Braiding disk (foam) Bobbins (plastic snap shut bobbins) Counterweight Thread pre-strung on bobbins & disk Skill Levels: Beginner Square: This is a very simple braiding pattern. Round: This is a simple braiding pattern, a little more complex than the square pattern. It's my favorite of the three patterns. Flat: This is more complex than the round pattern, it takes a little more work to wrap your brain around, but it's fun and not difficult. It's my second favorite of the three patterns. Buy the Flat, Round. or Square kits at: Unicorn Fiber Arts