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Showing posts from February, 2012

Where to Find Size 18 Rattail in the Same Dye Lot for Large Kumihimo Projects?

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To reliably find size 18 rattail silk in the same dye lot for large Kumihimo projects, you must purchase the entire required quantity in a single batch from a supplier that inventories by lot number. Specialized fiber arts retailers and dedicated online stores, rather than large craft chains, are your best bet, as they often understand the needs of serious braiders and can facilitate bulk orders. The key implication is that planning and purchasing all your material upfront is non-negotiable, as matching a dye lot later is virtually impossible due to natural variations in the dyeing process. Key Takeaways Purchasing your entire project's required skeins in one order from a single supplier is the only reliable method to guarantee a consistent dye lot. Specialized niche retailers and online stores catering to silk ribbon and fine braiding supplies are more likely to stock by and sell from identifiable dye lots than general craft stores. Proactive communication with the supplier befor...

Kumihimo Pictures - 8 Thread Kongo Gumi Patterns (Part 1)

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Kumihimo Patterns - 8 Thread Kongo Gumi Patterns (Part 1)                      

Kumihimo Bracelet

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Art Clay and Kumihimo Bracelet Materials: 1 oz 28gg round, fine silver wire 10gm Art Clay Slow Dry (regular or low fire) 10 gm Art Clay Silver Paste type Hook and Eye set (2pc) .980SV Paint brush Kumihimo foam disc Wire snips Chain nose pliers Masking tape Twist tie Butane torch or programmable kiln Water Begin by cutting the wire into 3 foot (1 yard) long pieces. The oz. of wire has 120 feet, so this will give you 40 wires. Separate the wires into 4 bundles of 10 wires. Smooth and even the ends and put a small piece of masking tape on each end to hold the wires together. Hold the kumihimo disc so that #32 is on top, and 16 is on the bottom. Put the two ends of one bundle of wire together and slightly fold them in the middle so that there is a slight bend where the middle of the wires is. Set this mark in the middle of the kumihimo disc and thread one end of the bundle on the right of #16 and the other end between #32 and #1. Keep the wires taut. Take a second bund...

Kumihimo Instructions - Kumihimo Round Braids

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Here's what you'll need: 7 strands of yarn, floss, or string - 12" each Octagon-shaped disk made from foam, cardboard or plastic.  The disk needs a hole in the center and a slit on each of the eight sides. General Instructions: Hold the ends of the 7 strands together and tie a knot. Put the knot through the hole of the disk from top to bottom. Hold the knot with one hand under the disk. The untied ends of the yarn are on top of the disk. With your other hand, place each strand in a slit, leaving one slit open. Hold the disk so that the open slit is towards your body. Count to the third strand to the right of the open slit. Take that strand and move it to the open slit. Rotate the disk clockwise so that the open slit is towards your body. Again, count to the third strand to the right of the open slit. Take that strand and move it to the open slit. Rotate the disk. Repeat these two steps until your braid is the length you want. To end the braid, remove the yarn f...