The kumihimo disk, plate or the mini board work well with the plastic EZ bobs as bobbins. The disk, plate or mini-board can be used free hand or attached to a stand such as an empty spool to more closely match a maru dai. Braids can be done with all kind of fibers, but nylon cords such as the C-Lon Bead Cord or the C-Lon Micro Cord are recommended when working with beads. If you work with beads, the EZ-bobs are mandatory. As to the disks, try both sizes. The mini disk is a bit thinner so less durable, but you do not have to reach as far. Hand size is also a factor as to preferences. The larger disk is more firm but sometimes a bit too stiff for softer fibers. Regardless, having two disks give you the option of working on more than one braid at the same time.
Personal Note :: I first encountered the name 'kumihimo' in 1978 at a show when a textile specialist exclaimed in front of my exhibit that I was doing kumihimo. I had learned my braiding techniques from a sailor's book on knots. I got a marudai but gave it up as I prefer braiding by hand. I have since played with the disk, mostly for fun... >> More
Mini-Kumihimo Board
Kumihimo Disk
Kumihimo Square Plate
Mini Kumihimo Round Braiding Board
4-1/4" in diameter, 5/16" foam
Good for small diameter braids (center hole is 7/8" in diameter)
Basic instructions in English and French
To make rounded braids, 6" in diameter, made of 3/8" dense durable foam
Basic Instructions in English
For flat braids, 6" square, made of 3/8" dense durable foam
Basic Instructions in English
MINI-K-BOARD $4.50
KUMI-DISK $12.00
KUMI-PLATE $12.00
To make rounded braids, 6" in diameter, made of 3/8" dense durable foam
Instructions in Japanese only and some yarn to practice!
For flat braids, 6" square, made of 3/8" dense durable foam
Instructions in Japanese only and some yarn to practice!
HAMAK-DISK $14.00
HAMAK-PLATE $14.00
Note - The Hamanaka Kumihimo Disks & Plates are the original ones, but have instructions in Japanese only. The Beadsmith disks and plates are similar with the advantage of including basic English instructions.
Kumihimo Gift Sets Add color tissue inside the bag to gift wrap...
Mini Kumi Kit in a Bag
Kumihimo Kit in a Bag
Beach Bag
1 Mini Kumihimo Board
8 Small EZ-Bobs
1 Mini Clamps
Basic Instructions
All packed in a clear vinyl bag. Great starter set for kids!
1 Beadsmith Kumihimo Disk
1 Mini Kumihimo Board
16 Small EZ-Bobs
2 Mini Clamps
2 Sets of Basic Instructions
All in a clear vinyl bag with grey satin trims.
Same content as Kumihimo Kit in a Bag, plus your choice of 4 C-Lon Bead Cord and 4 C-Lon Micro Cord, a $30.60 value.
All in a bag ready to be taken to the beach. The bag has burlap sides, transparent mesh in front and back and a zipper at the top. The 8 spools of cord are packed in a small cardboard box.
MINI-KUMI-KIT $9.50
KUMI-BAG-KIT $24.00
BEACH-BAG $50.00
Small EZ Bobs
Medium EZ Bobs
Large EZ Bobs
EZ-Bob1 1 7/8 " diameter (4.85 cm)
EZ-Bob3 2 1/2 " diameter (6.35 cm)
EZ-Bob4 3 1/2 " diameter (8.90 cm)
4 for $2.00
4 for $2.50
1 for $2.50
8 for $3.50
8 for $4.50
4 for $8.00
10 for $4.00
10 for $5.00
8 for $15.00
Mini-Clamps
Kumi Disk Kit
Kumi Plate Kit
1 Beadsmith Kumihimo Disk
1 Mini Kumihimo Board
16 Small EZ-Bobs
2 Mini Clamps
Basic Instructions in English & French
1 Kumihimo Beadsmith Plate
1 Mini Kumihimo Board
18 Small EZ-Bobs
2 Mini Clamps
Basic Instructions in English& French
MINI-CLAMPS 12 for $4.00
KUMI-DISK-KIT $22.00
KUMI-PLATE-KIT $22.50
Personal Note - Continued :: I like the disks and plates because they are portable. They can be taken on road trips, to the beach or done on a couch watching TV. To learn a braid pattern, I use satin cord or Chinese knotting cord, then switch to other fibers such C-Lon Bead Cord/Nylon #18 and satin as the core as shown here or C-Lon Micro Cord to make braids more closely resembling the Japanese braids made of silk cords. Silk, like the Madeira Floss of course is an option, although more expensive and requiring more care. For patterns I like Rodrick Owen's book 'Braids' (published in 1995 by Interweave). I also recommend the small EZ-Bobs to wind your cords and a mini clamp to hold the braid. If you use beads, the EZ-Bobs are a necessity, the small ones for small beads and the medium ones for larger beads and so on...
More on Kumihimo :: If you are interested in investigating Japanese braiding techniques beyond the disks and plates, go to Braidershand. They specialize in quality wood equipment such as the marudai, takadai and karakumidai. Their equipment is build to Rodrick Owen's specifications >> www.braidershand.com
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