Why Is My Kumihimo Braid Uneven on Marudai? Tips for Even Tension with 8+ Strands

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Your Kumihimo braid is likely uneven on the marudai due to inconsistent tension between your hands or among the individual strands. The primary cause is allowing the braiding rhythm or the weight distribution of the tama (bobbins) to become unbalanced. To fix this, focus on maintaining a steady, mirrored pulling motion with both hands and ensuring all strands move with equal resistance. An exception is when using mixed fiber types, which may naturally require different tension management. Key Takeaways Consistent Hand Motion is Crucial:  Maintain a mirrored, rhythmic "pull and release" with both hands to create even tension. Balance Your Tama:  Ensure all bobbins are equally weighted and hang freely without tangling to prevent uneven strand pull. Practice Proper Posture and Setup:  Your physical position relative to the marudai and how you manage strand groups fundamentally affects tension control. Diagnose by Section:  Isolate the problem by checking if unevenness o...
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Coiling Dragon Scale Kumihimo Instructions

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A close-up of an intricate Coiling Dragon Scale Kumihimo braid in vibrant colors, displayed on a wooden or velvet surface. Traditional Japanese tools like bobbins and silk cords scattered artfully around. Elegant, detailed, and artistic tone with soft, focused lighting to showcase the craftsmanship and beauty of the braid.

Materials:

* 4 x 100cm lengths of 12-strand dark blue cord

* 4 x 100cm lengths of 12-strand mist blue cord

* 4 x 100cm lengths of 12-strand sky blue cord

* 4 x 100cm lengths of 12-strand white cord

* Several lengths of 3-strand dark blue wrapping cord (any color works)

* 20cm of 4mm plastic tubing

* 72-position coiling tool


Instructions:

1. Gather all cords and loosely tie them together at the center.

2. Route each cord individually through the center point.

3. Begin coiling from the bottom layer of cords.

4. See Figure 1 for initial cord arrangement and Figure 2 for the appearance after one coil on each side.


Tip: Use dark blue to create a gradient effect and outline.


Pro Tip: For extra dimension, use metallic threads or mix satin with matte cords. The contrast enhances the scale illusion!

Would you like a color diagram of the thread movements or bead placement suggestions? 😊

Comments

  1. YvonneJuly 11, 2025 at 4:24 AM

    Thank you for your article. I am very interested, but I live in the Netherlands and I can hardly buy anything"here. What dou you mean with "the cord"? and what with "wrapping cord"?

    ReplyDelete

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