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Showing posts from December, 2025

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...

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

Image
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...

Where to Find Durable Kumihimo Foam Disks That Don’t Warp or Tear

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You can find durable, high-quality kumihimo foam disks that resist warping and tearing from specialty fiber arts retailers, reputable online marketplaces like Etsy, and directly from dedicated craft supply manufacturers. The key is to look for disks made from high-density, closed-cell EVA foam, which provides superior structural integrity compared to cheap, open-cell foam. Be prepared to invest a bit more for a product from a seller that specifically advertises "warp-resistant" or "heavy-duty" materials, as this is the primary exception to the common problem of flimsy, disposable disks. Key Takeaways Material is paramount:  High-density, closed-cell EVA foam is the standard for durability and resistance to warping and tearing. Specialty retailers are your best bet:  General craft stores often stock lower-quality options; seek out sellers specializing in fiber arts or braiding supplies. Product descriptions tell the story:  Look for keywords like "high-density,...