Why Is My Satin Cord Fraying in Kumihimo Braiding and How Can I Fix It?

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Your satin cord is likely fraying due to friction against the loom or other cords, the use of blunt or inappropriate tools, or the inherent low twist structure of satin cord itself. To fix it, immediately apply a small amount of clear nail polish or Fray Check to the frayed end, let it dry completely, and then trim the sealed end with sharp, dedicated fabric scissors. Prevent future fraying by using a   yarn guide or straw   to manage cords, applying a preventative sealant   before   you start braiding, and ensuring your tools are sharp and clean. If the cord is heavily frayed, the most reliable fix is to cut off the damaged section and restart with a properly sealed end. Key Takeaways Satin cord frays primarily due to  high friction  and its smooth, loosely twisted fibers, which easily catch and unravel. The fastest fix is to  seal the frayed fibers  with a liquid sealant (e.g., clear glue, nail polish) and then trim. Prevention is more effective...
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Kumihimo Instruction - Braiding Disk Template

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"Kumi" means to braid or gather together and "Himo" means string or cord so "Kumihimo" means simply braided cords. Traditionally Kumihimo is done on a Marudai which is a round wooden stand that the braider would kneel at. Modern braiders tend to braid at tables and Marudai can be made of plastic and more portable versions are simple disks cut from thick foam rubber.

For a simple eight-strand braid you will need:

  • A sheet of thick card
  • 2 strands of thread or yarn a meter long in one colour
  • 2 strands of thread or yarn a meter long in another colour
  • Scissors


Instructions

  1. First make your Marudai, use the template below to cut one from your card.
  2. Fold your 4 strands in half and knot them to make a loop, push this through the hole in the centre of your Marudai and wedge the strands into the slits as shown
  3. Move the top right strand to the slit to the right of the bottom pair then the bottom left strand to the slit to the left of the top strand.
  4. Rotate your Marudai a quarter-turn anti-clockwise and repeat with the two other pairs.
  5. Continue working this way until your braid is the desired length then knot it and trim away the excess thread.

maru dai, marudai, kumihimo marudai



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