Kumihimo 101: Getting Started

What is Kumihimo?

Adapted from "Blue Diamond Braid" by Angela K. Schneider

Kumihimo is the art of making elaborate, patterned braids. These fancy braids have myriad uses: key fobs, eyeglass cords, basket handles, jewelry, and components of artwork, to name just a few. Use colorful braids to enhance your other handmade items—think purse handles, drawstrings, frog closures, and decorative trim, all of which can be made with just a few yards of handspun yarn.

Kumihimo involves exchanging threads, usually eight or more, in a sequence of movements that can range from simple to complex. The sequence of movements determines the shape of the finished cord, which can be round, square, flat, or other shapes. Color placement works with the movements to create patterns.

Fortunately, you can get started without any fancy equipment, using a braiding disk for an accessible and very portable project. A foam braiding disk has notches around the perimeter to hold the individual threads and a hole in the center to accommodate the developing braid. You can find kumihimo disks at bead suppliers, or at craft stores, among the kids’ craft supplies as bracelet or lanyard makers.

See it in Action

Getting started with a new craft can be daunting, but with kumihimo, all you need to get started is a simple braiding disk. You can make one yourself with a piece of craft foam, or purchase one for just a few dollars. In this free video, project editor Angela K. Schneider walks you through a simple braid. Be sure to check out the free pattern in the Spin Off Library!

Braiding Tips and Finishing

Adapted from "Kumihimo-to-go!" by Angela K. Schneider

As you begin to get comfortable with kumihimo, here are some helpful tips to make a tidy braid.

Tips:

• Keep a little tension on the braid so the crossings are lower than the surface of the disk. If the threads appear to be knotting up in the center, pull down on the braid a little more.
• The strands do not need to be tight in the slots, just enough to be tidy.
• Keep consistent tension as you work to make an even braid. It takes practice to find the right tension.
• As you braid, long tails may tangle into an anti-braid under the disk. Draw the tails out as you move the strands to detangle them.
  

With practice and even tension, you can create beautiful braids.

Finishing:

When you cannot braid any further, pull the tails out of the slots and set the disk aside. Using one of the yarn colors, whip each end of the braid above the loose tails and above the starting knot. Untie the knot. Comb out the ends and trim the fringe into a 1" tassel.

Whipping:

1. Cut a 6-8" length of one of your braiding yarns. Fold one end of the whipping yarn into a loop and place it on the braid.

2. Wrap the whipping yarn firmly around the braid, enclosing the loop with each wrap. Position the wraps snugly against each other.

3. Thread the whipping yarn through the loop.

4. Pull the starting tail to bury the working yarn under the wraps. Trim both tails flush with the wrapping.

Whipping steps to finish your braid. Illustration by Missy Shepler

Resources

• Get your free bonus kumihimo patterns in the Spin Off Library.
• All-Access Subscribers can dive deeper with Kumihimo Next Steps.
• Read Angela's full article and pattern instructions for the Blue Diamond Braid in the Summer 2025 issue of Spin Off. (This issue will be available starting May 29, 2025)

Angela K. Schneider is the project editor for Long Thread Media and is a fan of all the forms of interlacing yarns.