kumihimo
May 22, 2012
we all wove a simple, 8 strand kumihimo braid
Judy weaving on a marudai braiding loom. Nat is stitching in the background.
The individual strands, made up of many fine silk yarns, are weighted with wooden bobbins which have lead in the center. The finished braid has a central counterweight attached.
A finished braid
my braid, used to close a small, indigo/katazome dyed bag.
cotton braids woven by my friend, Nagai-san, one with a hana musubi or decorative knot.
commercial obi cords
a book I have found to be very useful is “Kumihimo, Japanese Silk Braiding Techniques” by Catherine Martin.
8 Comments
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This makes me want to get my marudai out of the dusty corner!
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Kristin – I know, I like the rhythm of the movements
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Jean…the bag looks gorgeous. Thank you for finishing it up and posting. The Clematis in Japan only last two weeks. The weather isn’t mild enough. The roses are just coming out this week.
Bryan
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So you finished your bag, how exquisite. Thi encourages me to finish mine, as soon as I get home.
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the bag is heavenly!
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while i appreciate the braids, they are not terribly compelling to me…until i see one tieing up your lovely bag so perfectly. sigh.
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it’s lovely how your adventure is unfolding! the bag looks amazing with the multi-hued kumihimo cord; the coloring is so like persimmon dyeing. it’s wonderful seeing all you were able to create while there!
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Velma, Anastasia – it’s not something I do much of and definitely not on one of those cardboard/plastic circle thingys but I like the rhythm of moving the weights. I’ve decided to make a series of bags so there are more on the way
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