Whipcord braiding is a cord making method that involves braiding threads that hang down from above with the braided cord being created above the braiding threads. The threads to be braided are wound around bobbins that are swung from one position to another to create the braiding crosses.
Two or more people are required to make these cords. Each holding a pair of bobbins that they swing back and forth between the other braiders. This can be quite the enjoyable exercise as you get into the groove of throwing and receiving bobbins.
Whipcord Braiding and Kumihimo
While there is no direct connection between Kumihimo (Japanese braiding) and Whipcord Braiding that I know of, but the braiding moves for Whipcord Braiding are the same as those for Kumihimo done on the Marudai (braiding stool).
The Marudai is most often seen using threads laying on the stool, with the bobbins hanging off the side and the finished cord hanging down through a hole in the center of the stool. However there is also an ancient Kumihimo technique that uses the Marudai with the bobbins hanging down from above with the threads hanging down around the Marudai but not laying on it. It looks exactly like Whipcord Braiding, except that the Marudai helps keep the bobbins in place and one person can work all of the bobbins while kneeling (or sitting) at the Marudai.
Handheld Whipcord Braiding
Want to make a Whipcrod Braid and you don't have anyone to throw bobbins at, or you don't have anything to hang the threads from, or you want to be able to move around as you do it?
There's a Whipcord Braid method for you!!
The threads on their bobbins can be hung from a stick that you hold under your arm or stick through you belt. Then you can manipulate the bobbins by yourself, creating the same Whipcord Braids as you would in the traditional suspended method.
