Can You Kumihimo?

I hadn't touched my kumihimo things in months, but my friend Tsela asked me if I'd teach her how to do it. I love doing art/crafts with other people, so I pulled out my supplies and began to get organized.

Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese braiding technique that is done with a disk like the one in the picture. It is traditionally done with silk cords, but I like it much better with beads.

I realized that the last time I tried to teach someone what a disaster. I found the partly complete necklace that my friend Joni worked on last summer. You would think that a teacher would be able to teach an adult how to do a reasonably simple task. But I rushed her through the steps. Most importantly, I didn't teach her the way I taught myself.

So, here is my tip for anyone who wants to kumihimo with beads: First, learn the braiding pattern with an inexpensive fiber like Rattail, which you can find at most craft stores. Then try it with beads.

Once I got Tsela going, I unbraided Joni's necklace (the one in the photo) and braided it for. Won't she be surprised when it arrives in the mail!