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 Braids - Seven Strand Braid

kumihimo beads

This is a great introductory braid. You can make your own disk by cutting a circle out of cardboard or craft foam. For this braid, you will need 8 slits cut around the edge of the disk (evenly spaced) and seven strands of yarn cut to your desired length. Also cut a hole in the center of the disk (shaded area shown at right.) For fun, experiment with using different color & texture yarns.

Tie an overhand knot in one end of the strands and place it through the hole in the center of the disk.

NOTE: If you want to make a bracelet, use three long strands folded in half plus one strand (half the length of the others) to make your seven strands. Fold them in half before tying the overhand knot so that it forms a loop that can be used as a clasp.

Place one strand in each of the slits (1-7), leaving slit 8 open. Hold the card with the empty slit towards you. (You don’t need to keep track of the slit numbers, I just wrote them here to help with the initial set-up.)

From the empty slit, count three slits to the right. Take that strand and move it to the empty slot. Repeat this process until the braid is to desired length. It helps if you turn the card so that the new empty slit faces you after each strand movement. [For a numeric description, if the empty slit is #5, count three to the right and take the strand from slit #2 and place it in slit #5.]

To finish off the braid, do one of the following:
• Tie a knot
• Divide the tails in half and braid each half with a regular three-strand-type braid and tie off.
• Divide the tails into two sets of two and make cordage with each set and tie off.

With either of these last methods, you can tie your two ends through the loop to make a closure
for a bracelet or necklace.

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