Standard 8 Braided Kumihimo

Measure the length you need your finished item to be, then cut 4 strands of cord each 4 times the length of your finished design, when you are first learning it’s easiest to start with 2 contrasting colours. Place the 4

strands together and fold them in half, tie the centre with a spare piece of cord. Nb: For a 8” bracelet a guide is around 4mtrs of cord.

Push the centre of the cord through the middle hole of the disk (It can be useful to clip our kumihimo weight onto the scrap cord to help to pull the braid down)

For a standard 2 colour twist you will need to arrange the same colour cords either side of N and S and the same colour cords either side of W and E.

To follow Riverside Beads instructions you will need to place north at the top, once you have mastered the technique you can start anywhere.

Take the cord to the right of the “N”, (between 32 and 1) and bring if down to the right of the bottom cord (between 14 and 15)

Take the bottom cord to the left of “S” (between 16 and 17) and take this up to the left of the top cord (between 30 and 31)

Now turn the disk anti clockwise so that “E” is at the top and repeat the previous step, this time the cords from the top right (between 8 and 9) and will go to the right of “W” (between 22 and 23) and the cord from the bottom left will go to the left of “E” (between 6 and 7) Turn the disk a quarter turn anti clockwise again (“S” will now be at the top)

Repeat the previous steps by taking the cord to the right of the top cords and bringing it down to the right of the bottom cords and then the cord to the left of the bottom cords up to the left of the top cords and rotating anti clockwise after these 2 moves. A swirly braid will start to come through the centre of the disk.

When you are working out your size remember to allow about ¾” that the fastening will add when you attach it. When your cord is the desired length, take the 4 cords on opposite sides of the disk and tie them on the top of the disk, repeat with the remaining 4 cords, add some glue to ensure they don’t slip undone (we use hypo cement for this) when this is dry cut off any spare cord. Alternatively whilst the braid is on the disk add some glue to the centre and when dry cut the cords off, this can make a smaller end to fit into the cap.

Take your end caps and place E-6000 glue into the cap, put the end of the cord into the cap and twist to ensure the glue secures the cord into the ends, leave to dry.

TOP TIP: If you need to put the disk down mid braid place a cord so you have 3 cords, you then know you

need to take the bottom left braid up next.

You can vary the finished bracelet by changing the position & the colours of cord you use, you can use

upto 8 different colours! Here are some before and after braids…

Here is a guide to the size ends you will need:- Fine cords (0.6mm macramé cord) use a 6x7 1-1.5mm, rats tail use a 8x9 2mm or above rats tail use 10x11

www.riverside beads.co.uk stock a great selection of unsual sizes and finishes for your Kumihimo ends,

visit our website under “Kumihimo” for the full range

Rose Gold * Ends from 2mm * Charm droppers

Magnetic ends * Shamballa style * flat end caps

Beaded Crystal Twist bracelet

To create the beaded twist the technique of how you move the cords to is the same I will explain how to add the beads.

Place the 4 strands together and fold them in half, tie the centre with a spare piece of cord. Push the centre of the cord through the middle hole of the disk (It can be useful to

clip our kumihimo weight onto the scrap cord to help to pull the braid down)

Thread 25 size 8s on the cords to the right of 32 & 16, thread 25 size 5s on the cords to the right of 8, 15, 24 & 31, thread 25 6mm crystals onto the cords to the right of 7 & 23. If you are having

trouble threading the beads on cut the cord at an angle and put clear nail varnish on to stiffen the cord. Follow us on facebook for a top tip video on this!

Leave 10 beads on each cord on the top of the disk for ease of working, you can tie a knot in the bottom of each cord, then wrap the remaining cord and beads round your bobbins

if you find it easier to manage them.

Take the cord between 32 & 1 and move it between 14 & 15, then take the cord between 16 & 17 and move it between 30 & 31, rotate the disk so “E” is at the top, complete about 10 braids without any beads (this is the cord you will

attach the fastening to at the end a 6x7 bell closure) Take your next cord you are working on and push 10 beads onto the top of the disk for ease of working,

As you take the next cord over, push one bead down and rest it on the outside of the cord it is crossing, place the cord down as you normally would, repeat this on the

cord you are taking up, again popping a bead down before you lay the cord in the disk, rotate the disk anti clockwise and repeat.

Remember to add a bead as you take each cord over and ensure none of the other beads slide into the centre as you are working, when you have used the 10 beads you have on your disk, undo your bobbins (If you are

using them) and slid 10 more beads up.

This number of beads is a guide, if you need a few more or less you can untie your knots and add/take away a few to create the desired length. When your braid is finished, do 10 braids with no beads on either tie off the cord or add hypo cement to the centre of the braid to secure, then cut the surplus cord off. Take your end caps and

place E600 glue into the cap, put the end of the cord into the cap and twist to ensure the glue secures the cord into the ends, leave to dry.

The 0.6mm macramé cord is strong and flexible for your beaded kumihimo projects, if you are having trouble threading the beads check out Riverside Beads on

Facebook for our top tip video also be patient and left the varnish dry it will make the threading a lot easier!

Riverside Beads Corded Bead Braid Here’s how to create the braid with the cord showing on the

outside. As you add a bead you place it in-between the 2 cords

that you are crossing over.

Ensure it stays here otherwise if will pop out of the braid like the beaded twist bracelet. Follow the previous instructions to braid.

Supplies list:- 0.6mm macramé cord - 6x7mm Bell closure end caps E600 glue - Size 8 & 5 beads and 6mm crystals.

Why not try one of our other beaded kumihimo kits?

Magatama bracelet Crystal necklace

Flat beaded kumihimo Seed Bead bracelet exclusive to Riverside Beads