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Showing posts from August, 2013

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...

Finger Loop Braiding | Kumihimo Flat Braid

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You may want to try the Finger Loop Braiding. I found this article a couple of years ago and decided to post here for those who are interested with fingerloop braiding just like the kumihimo braiding patterns we have discussed here. (Original article from) Fingerloop Braiding Workshop Blue Skies ’09 by: Gillian Woodruff Fingerloop braiding has been practiced in various forms for thousands of years around the globe, reaching a peak of refinement in medieval Europe when silk braids were made for laces, purse strings and other adornments. The translation of some old English pattern manuscripts over the last 20 years has renewed interest in this method. The braiding is performed with fingers holding loops of thread whose loose ends are anchored together. Loops are pulled through others by exchanging them between fingers in a specific way to produce a braided structure. A surprisingly wide variety of braids are possible using this method. Commonly, 5 to 8 loops are worked with 2...