Kumihimo

Kumihimo (組み紐) is a traditional Japanese artform of making braids and cords. Literally meaning “gathered threads”, kumihimo are made by interlacing reels of yarn, commonly silk, with the use of traditional, specialised looms – either a marudai (丸台, lit. ’round stand’) or a takadai (高台) (also known as a kōdai).

There are a number of different styles of kumihimo weaving, which variously create a braided cord ranging from very flat to almost entirely rounded. Kumihimo cords are used as obijime, cords worn belted around the front of some obi when wearing kimono.

Kumihimo Patterns 16-Strings

Kumihimo Patterns 8-Strings

Project Goals:

Make a Ku-Mi-Hi-Mo Wheel and practice the up and down method of japanese braiding.