Kumihimo Necklace

I am always looking for some new or different crafty thing to learn so when I saw the kumihimo braiding disks in a recent beading catalog I had to try it. But you know me, why buy it when you can make one so; I grabbed a box and made my own.  Sorry I didn't take pics of this part but basically all I did was trace a cd (trace the small inner circle too) onto the back of a piece of cardboard (thinner is better I realized this later and made my second one out of a cake mix box).  I cut it out leaving the center part intact, drew 16 lines across making 32 spokes that met in the middle. Then I cut out the center circle with an exacto knife and made 32 slits (one on each spoke) around the outside with my scissors. If this is unclear I am sure you could find instructions for making one online somewhere. Once you have your braiding disk we are ready for stage 2.

For your necklace you will need:

3 metal washers (plus extra for weights, I know, I know you're confused right? It will all make sense in just a few minutes, trust me ;)

mod podge

a picture (you should probably just pick something with a nice pattern unless your washers are large, mine were not and after the cutting and gluing you couldn't tell what my picture was but I still liked the results)

jump rings (appropriate size for your washers, I have no idea what size I used because I made mine.)

novelty yarn

worsted weight yarn (I used acrylic. Yes I admit it I have a stash of Red Heart so shoot me who doesn't have at least one skein of it.)

scissors

lobster claw clasp

lighter

exacto knife

cutting mat

pencil

darning needle

Got all that, ok lets get started!

Take out your washers and the picture or patterned paper you want to use.

Some vintage pictures I had just kicking around.

Decide what areas you want and center the washers over them and trace and cut them out.

Yes I know I should have guessed that you couldn't tell what the picture was of once the necklace was on but I just love the picture so much I was blinded to logic. Oh well!

Now cut out those centers.

Ok, are you ready, it's MOD PODGE Time!

Give that sucker a good thick coat!

Add the picture and coat the top with more!  Repeat with the remaining two washers.

Now it's time to start braiding so grab your disk and your yarn.


Cut 4 pieces of yarn, 2 of the novelty and 2 of the regular worsted weight, 3 yards each.

Fold them in half. Using a small piece of waste yarn tie 3-4 washers to the middle.

Place this through the disk

Now divide out the yarn like this:

We are going to make a spiral pattern so all you have to remember is right down, left up, rotate. I forgot to take a picture but this video explains it better than I can anyway. Oh, also I think the video says rotate left but I went right I don't think it makes much difference though. I think my spirals probably go in the opposite direction is all.

Once your braid is as long as you want your necklace to be, stop and remove it from the disk. This is the way I did it.

Take the novelty yarn off first.

Tie it in a square knot.

Trim the ends. Not too close though.

Tie the worsted weight in a square knot as well.

Now get out that darning needle. Wrap and secure the remaining yarn using the needle. One set of yarn at a time.

First two pieces. One wrap.

Now a few more.

Both ends on the needle.

Pass it up through.

Sorry its so dark.

Up through once more.

 Repeat with the second set of ends.

Tie the 2 sets in another square knot.

Trim the ends.

Now burn, Baby, burn. Well, not really, you actually just want the ends to melt and fuse a little but whatever, you are using fire so you get the point.

Melted and smushed down. Careful of those fingers!

Add a jump ring through your knot.

You may have to wiggle it (just a little bit he, he like the song, get it? Oh never mind.)

Now that you have one jump ring on close it and add another one so it looks like this:

Now for the other side.  Remember those washers we used for weights?  First thing we need to do is remove those. Leave the yarn in there though for now.

Just untie and remove the washers. Don't forget to leave the yarn.

Now use the yarn to help you find the loop where you started. Insert a jump ring into the loop, add a lobster claw clasp, then close the jump ring. Remove the yarn.

Whoa thats fuzzy! Sorry 'bout that, you get the point though.

Now the necklace is done except for adding your washers.

You will need bigger washers for in between the washers so they will lay flat.

Find the center of your necklace and slip the smaller washer into one of the plain (worsted weight) yarn "bumps," add the top washer, close the jump ring. Use the larger jump rings to attach the final two washers to each other. And you are finito mis amigos.

Close up! Aaaaaa!

Whole necklace

Headless me!