Krazy for Kumihimo!!!

After taking Angela Peace's Intro to Kumihimo class and her Kumihimo with Beads Necklace class, I can't seem to get enough of this fabulous artform! I have been having oodles of fun creating cords from my yarn stash. The only thing that rivals my bead stash is my yarn stash, as it came first. I have probably given away more yarn than most people own. Needless to say that a technique that combines beads and yarns is right up my alley.

Here I created a Kumihimo Ladder bracelet.

Close-up.

What is kumihimo?
According to Wikipedia, "Kumihimo is a Japanese form of braid-making. Cords and ribbons are made by interlacing strands." Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? There is actually a whole long article on the history of kumihimo on Wikipedia that you might want to read. Click HERE.

Here at beadFX, we love kumihimo so much that we have a whole section dedicated to it: http://www.beadfx.com/catalogue/kumihimo.php

There are quite a few Kumihimo books available at beadFX for you, whether you are a beginner or beyond beginner and want to take your skills to the next level. I'd like to review some of the books for you.

s29486 Book - Braiding for Beaders - 2nd Edition - By Anne Dilker (1)
2nd Edition. A useful guide for the jewelry designer. A very thorough, in-depth look (jammed into a slender volume) that goes beyond the simple technique and explains a lot more. 8 X 11 inches. All in color. Softcover. 31 pages. Spiral bound. Particularly useful for those with a fibre-arts background. 

I really like this book! As the above description says, this book is all in colour and is full of wonderful information.  The best part of the book are the diagrams that show what the different combinations of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 colours are and how each weave will look depending on the placement of the warps. Anne Dilker brought kumihimo to the North American market and turned us all into kumihimo zombies!! Right to right, left to the left, turn!

s33192 Book - Japanese Braiding - The Art of Kumihimo - By Jacqui Carey
Jacqui Carey provides a fresh approach to Kumihimo - the ancient craft of Japanese braiding. Clear step by step photographs guide the beginner through six projects which show how to made a variety of different braids. There are tips on what equipment to use and advice on how to develop the projects, using a variety of patterns, colours and textures, to create over 70 other braids. The finished braid can be used to made a range of stunning bracelets, necklaces, curtain ties, cords, and fashion accessories. Hardcover. Stayflat spiral bound. 6.25 x 8.5 inches. 96 pages. 

  

According to Marg, this book was the first kumihimo book available in English. This book is written for those who own a marudai, but if you know the basics of kumihimo, you can certainly use all the patterns. 

You won't be disappointed by the selection at beadFX. There are at least 5 other kumihimo books that are available... and I want them all!!