Kumihimo Braiding 

Kumihimo Braiding

Presented by Amie Ritchie  City, Ann Arbor, MI

TYPE OF CLASS:   No Sew

SKILL LEVEL:  All Skill Levels

CLASS SIZE:  Class Size - 15

TIMES OFFERED:  Offered Once 

CLASS LENGTH:  Half Day

NO SEW CLASS ---PRESENTED ONCE!  

CLASS PRICE-- $15-$25 US

Kit will include a disk, a plate, a weight and several yards of cording in a variety of colors for each student as well as handouts and links to video directions.  

A limited number of Extra Kits will be available for 2025 U-MAKE Participants

Kumihimo:

Kumihimo is the traditional Japanese artform and craftwork for making braids and cords.  In the past, kumihimo decorations were used as accessories for kimono as well as samurai armor. Japanese Braiding, as kumihimo is sometimes known in English, is also associated with Shinto rituals and religious services.

Initially kumihimo bands were braided entirely in the hands, then later with Takadai/Marudai (large looms), these are still used today for more complex patterns, but are not very portable, unlike the modern disks and plates that we often see in use today.

This class will cover both flat and round braiding techniques. The focus will be on doing round braids on a disk in class. I will also include handouts and the plate required to do simple flat braids as well. These braids work great for lanyards, hat bands, and bracelets as well as cords to tie things closed.  Braids can be done in any weight of material- from thin weaving threads/kite line to the more traditional satin cording that will be used in class.