Kumihimo Braiding: Your Complete Guide to the Ancient Japanese Art of Cord Making

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Have you ever wondered how those gorgeous, intricate cords are made? The ones you see decorating traditional Japanese clothing or adorning modern jewelry? Well, you're about to discover the fascinating world of kumihimo braiding – an ancient Japanese technique that's surprisingly accessible to modern crafters. Kumihimo braiding has been around for over 1,000 years, and it's honestly one of the most relaxing and rewarding crafts you can pick up. Whether you're looking for a new hobby, want to create stunning jewelry, or simply appreciate traditional crafts, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about this beautiful art form. What Exactly is Kumihimo Braiding? Let's start with the basics. Kumihimo (pronounced "koo-mee-hee-mo") literally translates to "gathered threads" in Japanese. It's a traditional braiding technique that creates strong, decorative cords using multiple strands of threa...
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6-Strand, 24-Thread Flat Braiding Tutorial

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Thread Setup on a 48-Slot Disk 

  1. Grid Pattern: Use a 48-slot disk arranged in a 24-line grid. 
  2. Thread Distribution: Divide 24 threads into 12 pairs (2 threads per group), spacing them evenly around the disk. 

Braiding Steps 

  1. First Pass: Move all right-side threads to the left in one full rotation around the disk. 
  2. Second Pass: Reverse the motion—move all left-side threads to the right for another full rotation. This completes one braiding cycle (right→left, then left→right). 
  3. Repeat: Continue alternating directions (right→left, left→right) until your braid reaches the desired length. 


Finishing 

Secure the threads to complete your braid. The result is a tight, even flat braid—perfect for straps, cords, or decorative projects! 

 👉 Try it out! If this method works for you, save the setup (screenshot the thread distribution) and share your results.

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