Kumihimo is a Japanese braiding technique that has become very popular worldwide especially with the addition of beads. Bonded nylon cord is recommended when working with beads for durability and abrasion resistance.
For braiding with beads, EZ Bobs are a necessity, small ones for small beads, medium ones for larger beads and so on... All the beads do not need to be loaded on the cord all at once, just load what fits in the EZ Bobs and add more beads when you run out.
Having several disks on hand is nice for working on several braids at the same time, plus it is best to reserve a disk for thinner diameter cords as the slots will relax a bit when working with larger diameter cord.
The best way to learn to braid is to start with a kumihimo kit with a full set of directions with step by step photos and a tool bag with a disk and EZ Bobs. Once you have a few projects completed you can start you own project easily.
Once you go on your own and experiment, C-Lon Bead Cord in any of the four sizes is recommended if you are using beads. Here is quick guide as to sizes: Micro for 15s and 11s, Fine Weight for 11s, 8s and PIPs, C-Lon Bead Cord (Tex 210) for 8s, 6s, MAs and LMAs, Tex 400 for 6s, MAs and LMAs.
For fiber only braids, thin cords can be combined in strands. The C-Lon Micro or the metallic cords work well for this. Silk, of course, such as Madeira Silk Floss, Kanagawa or Fujix Tire Embroidery Silks are great options, but silk requires a bit more care when worn. Ribbon is another option.
If you are interested in braiding patterns, many are possible, and more can be invented. Try Rodrick Owen's book 'Braids' (published in 1995 by Interweave). More > Playing with Kumihimo Braids or Go to Kumihimo Kits
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 an old sailor's book on knots. I got a marudai but gave it up. I prefer braiding by hand or with the disks. The disks and plates are great because they are portable. They can be taken on road trips, to the beach or done on a couch watching TV.
As to sizes, try both sizes. The smaller disk was originally
designed for kids, but they are very nice for everyone, not just smaller hands.
The slots are closer to one another, so the hand does not haver to travel as far. However the EZ-Bob get a bit more entangled as they are closer to one another. The larger disk is recommended for any patterns with more than 8 strands. In addition, if you use a pattern where you need to read the numbers, they are easier to read on the bigger disk.
As to thickness, if the thinner disk does not hold your tension tight enough, try the thicker ones. Keep newer disks for thinner cords and use older ones for thicker cord.
4.25" (10.8 cm)Ø
6
" (15.24 cm)Ø
10 mm (3/8") thick $4.50 Larger 35 mm (1 3/8") center hole
10 mm (3/8") thick $7.50 Larger 35 mm (1 3/8") center hole
No Instructions $3.00 Larger 35 mm (1 3/8") center hole
With No Instructions $5.00 Larger 35 mm (1 3/8") center hole
NEW THICK MINI-K-DISK
NEW THICK KUMIHIMO-DISK
20 mm (3/4") thick No Instructions $5.25 Larger 35 mm (1 3/8") center hole
20 mm (3/4") thick With No Instructions $9.00 Larger 35 mm (1 3/8") center hole
New innovative hollow plastic handle that fits in a round kumihimo disk with a 35mm hole. Enables to hold and rotate the disk with one hand while moving the threads with the other. The clear handle allows to see the braid as it is made.
12 for $5.00
With No Instructions $5.00
PLASTIC BOBBINS
Small EZ Bobs
Medium EZ Bobs
Large EZ Bobs
EZ-Bob1 ~ 1 7/8 " diameter (4.65 cm)
Made in the USA
EZ-Bob3 ~ 2 1/2 " diameter (6.35 cm)
Made in the USA
EZ-Bob4 ~ 3 1/2 " diameter (8.90 cm)
Imported
Not sure which size is best for you? Get a sample pack, with 1 small, 1 medium and 1 large EZ-Bob.
New - Tangle-Free Small Bobbins with Weight
Ø - 1 7/8 inch (4.85 cm)
Weight - 24 grams
Imported.
Good plastic construction. Heavier plastic gauge than the standard Small EZ Bobs.
Weight can be removed if desired.
Some braiders like the weight to keep the bobbins tangle free. I personally find 8 weighted bobbins a bit too heavy. I use a single weighted bobbins as weight at the end of the braid when braiding with beads. I have yet to try them with the weight removed.
KUMIHIMO SETS For a gift, add some color tissue inside...
Starter Mini K-Disk Set
2-Mini K-Disk Set
2-K-Disk Set - 1 Large, 1 Mini
1 Mini Kumihimo Disk
8 EZ Bobs
1 Mini-Clamp
No Instructions
1 Thick Mini Kumihimo Disk
1 Mini Kumihimo Disk
16 EZ Bobs
2 Mini-Clamps
No Instructions/No Weighted Disk
1 6 Inch Kumihimo Disk
1 Mini Kumihimo Disk
16 EZ Bobs
2 Mini-Clamps
No Instructions
$7.00
$16.25
$16.00
Mini K-Bag
Mini K-Bead-Tool Bag NEW
Thick Mini K-Bead-Tool Bag NEW
1 Mini Kumihimo Disk
8 EZ Bobs
1 Mini-Clamp
Instructions
1 Bag for your project on the go
Does not include needles or beeswax. Perfect for Kumihimo with Magatamas or seed beads size 8 & up
Perfect for Beaded Kumihimo with thin cord such as Micro, Fine Weight or Beading Thread such as the PIP Bead Bracelet
$12.00
$14.00
$14.00
Tool Bag for Beaded Kumi
Kumihimo Bag
Beach Bag
1 6 Inch Kumihimo Disk
8 EZ Bobs
1 Mini-Clamp
1 Pack of 5 Big Eye needles
Instructions
1 Large Bag with Satin Edges
Perfect for Ribbon & Magatamas Kit
1 6 Inch Kumihimo Disk
1 Mini Kumihimo Disk
16 EZ Bobs
2 Mini-Clamps
Instructions
1 Large Bag with Satin Edges
Great way to try both sizes of K-Disks
Same content as Kumihimo Bag, + your choice of 10 C-Lon Bead Cord, or 4 C-Lon Bead Cord and 4 C-Lon Micro or Fine Weight Cord, or 8 C-Lon Tex 400 Bead Cord.
The bag has burlap sides, transparent mesh in front and back and a zipper at the top and discount on cord!
TOOL-BAG-BEAD-KUMI $16.00
KUMI-BAG $24.00
BEACH-BAG $50.00
KUMI-BAG with PLATE $25.00 Get a Plate instead of the Disk
plus 2 extra EZ Bobs
SUPPLIES FOR TEACHERS
Mini K-Disk
6 Inch K-Disk
100 Small EZ Bobs
With no instructions
With no instructions
Get a bag of 100 for your class.
$40.00/$2.00 each/Box of 20
$30.00/$3.00 each/Box of 10
$30.00/$0.30 each/Bag of 100
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