What Is a Kumihimo Bracelet? The Art of Japanese Braiding

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If you've ever seen a beautifully intricate, colorful bracelet and wondered about its origins, you might have stumbled upon a kumihimo bracelet . Far more than just a piece of jewelry, these bracelets are a wearable piece of ancient art. So, what is a kumihimo bracelet, exactly? In a nutshell, it's a bracelet created using a Japanese form of braiding known as Kumihimo (硄み紐), which translates to "gathered threads." This craft dates back centuries, originally used for practical and decorative purposes on samurai armor, kimono sashes, and religious artifacts. Today, it's a popular and relaxing craft for people all over the world, resulting in stunning, unique bracelets and jewelry. Let's untangle the history, techniques, and reasons behind the popularity of these beautiful creations. The Deep-Rooted History of Kumihimo You can't fully answer "what is a kumihimo bracelet?" without diving into its rich history. The...
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Mermaid Tail Ring

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🌊 Materials You'll Need:

4 colors of embroidery floss or satin cord (approx. 50–60 cm each)

Kumihimo disk (round or square)

Needle and thread or glue

Scissors

Lighter (for finishing, optional)


🧡 Steps to Make the Mermaid Tail Ring:

🧷 1. Set Up the Ring Band (Spiral Cord):

Use 8 strands of cord, two strands each in green and orange for the twist.

Use a basic spiral braid or Kongo-gumi (round braid) pattern:

Arrange your cords evenly on the disk (ex: N, S, E, W positions).

Move the bottom left to the top left, then top right to bottom right.

Rotate the disk and repeat to make a spiral cord about 5–6 cm long.


🧚 2. Form the Ring Loop:

Fold the braided cord into a loop to fit your finger size.

Secure the loop base with a purple-wrapped joint (you can sew or tightly wrap with purple thread or floss).

Use a dab of glue or melt ends lightly to secure.


🐚 3. Create the Mermaid Tail:

Use flat macramΓ©-style weaving for the tail.

Split the middle part of your cords into two mirrored sides.

Weave diagonal half-hitches or square knots outward to form a wide "V" shape on each side.

Tighten and shape as you go — you want the top to look like a mermaid’s tail fin.

Use alternating colors to form the striped tail pattern.


πŸͺ‘ 4. Secure the Tail and Finish:

Tie off or stitch the ends at the base of the tail.

Use purple cord again to wrap around the base of the tail for neatness and match the ring loop.

Trim excess and secure with glue or heat.



✅ Tips:

Practice the tail flat on a board with pins if you’re new to shaping.

Adjust size by making a longer or shorter ring band.

Experiment with metallic threads for a magical shimmer! 



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