Secrets to Kumihimo Project 3: 8-Strand Round Braid with Beads

Cut four 40-inch strands of apricot C-Lon 0.5mm nylon cord.

Fold each strand in half to create eight working strands.

Tie an overhand knot  in the middle.

Apply E6000 Fray Lock adhesive  to the ends of each thread. Let them dry.

Cut the ends of each strand with thread snip scissors  to create an angled tip with a needlelike point.

Push the folded section of the cords through the center hole of the kumihimo disk.

Hold the folded end firmly in place on the underside of the disk. Use weights  to keep the threads taut, if desired.

Pull each cord tightly into its designated slot to set up the face of the disk as follows:

• Top: 2 cords placed in Slot #32 and Slot #1
• Bottom: 2 cords placed in Slot #17 and Slot #16
• Right: 2 cords placed in Slot #8 and Slot #9
• Left: 2 cords placed in Slot #24 and Slot #25

Start with the top left thread. Add one 4mm Czech pearl-coated round druk bead. Then add three TOHO BEADS® #11 silver-lined milky white seed beads. 

Repeat this pattern until you have thirteen 4mm druk beads and twelve sets of three #11 seed beads on the strand.

For the next thread, reverse the pattern. Start with the three #11 seed beads, then add a 4mm druk bead. Continue this pattern until you have thirteen sets of three #11 seed beads and twelve 4mm druk beads.

Alternate creating the two patterns for the rest of the threads. You will end up with four of each pattern.

Tip: If the holes in the druk beads are too small, use a bead reamer  to enlarge them.

With North at the top of the disk, follow this pattern:

• Move the top left strand (Slot #32) down to bottom left (Slot #18). There are now three strands at the bottom
• Move the bottom right strand (Slot #16) up to top right (Slot #2).
• Rotate the disk counterclockwise by a quarter turn (90 degrees). The East slots (#8 and #9) are now at the top.
• Move the top left strand (Slot #8) down to Slot #26
• Move the bottom right strand (Slot #24) up top Slot #23.
• Rotate the disk counterclockwise by a quarter turn again. The South slots (#16 and #17) are now at the top.

Repeat the pattern, top left down, bottom right up, rotate, until you reach the desired braid length of 1.5 to 2 inches.

Continue braiding pattern, but this time, you’re going to drop a bead into the center of the disk each time you move a thread, making sure beads are tucked under the threads before securing the thread into the next slot. Use your fingers to make sure beads are snug and secure.

Continue braiding until you have used all beads. Then continue braiding an additional 1.5 to 2 inches.

Take the pair of threads you would have braided next. They will be diagonally opposite each other. Bring them across the middle of the disk and tie an overhand knot. Make sure it tightens all the way down to end of the braid. Then take the next two threads and do the same. Continue to do the same with the rest of the threads.

Add E6000 Fray Lock adhesive to ends of the threads. After the glue dries, trim any excess thread ends.

Insert a 1.5-inch 24-gauge eye pin into the center of threads. Secure the loop of the eye around the threads.

Apply E6000® adhesive  inside an 11x10mm long filigree bead cap. Inset the end of eye pin into the bead cap and pull it through.

Use round-nose pliers  to make a simple loop  in the end of the eye pin. Trim off excess wire.

Repeat for the other end of the bracelet.

Attach a 12.5x8.5mm flat wire hook and eye clasp to the simple loops at one end of the bracelet. Attach a 4mm 20-gauge jump ring  to the other end of the bracelet.

Tip: If you need to pause, stop when you have three strands at the top. This makes it easier to remember where you left off.