Kumihimo with Beads

String one bead and then go back up through the bead to create a stopper bead. Do this for all 8 strands.

On each strand string on the appropriate amount of beads. Then wind the beaded strands onto their own bobbins leaving the open stringing end hanging out.

Gather the open stringing ends of all 8 strands and tie them together in a knot.

Drop the knot into the center hole on the Kumihimo disk and place the strings into the slits on either side of the positioning dots.

Your Kumihimo disk should look like this.

Braid about 1/2 inch of braid with no beads. Having no beads on this section will make it easier to bind the end when you need to finish the braid.

Pull some beads from each bobbin up onto the strands and then close the bobbins. I pulled quite a few beads but you can start with as many or as few as you are comfortable with. The directions for braiding are the same whether using beads or not. The only difference is when using beads you will need to slide one bead into the braid for each strand as you progress. Note that the first few beads will look like a jumbled mess. They should even out as you progress as long as you remember to keep good tension on your strings as you work.

Pull warp 17 out of the slit and bring one bead up onto the string. Slide the bead as far as you can. It should rest up under warp 24.

Pull warp 17 up and place it into slit 31.

Slide one bead up onto warp 1. This bead should be nested under warp 8.

Bring warp 1 down to slit 15.

Turn the Kumihimo disk clockwise 1/4 turn, or 90 degrees, so that the dot between slots 8 and 9 on the disk is at the bottom. Continue by bringing 1 bead up onto warp 9 so it sits under warp 15.

Move warp 9 up into slit 23.

Continue this pattern by bringing 1 bead up onto warp 25. Move warp 25 down into slit 7 so the bead is resting just under warp 31.

Turn the disk 1/4 turn clockwise. Slide 1 bead up onto warp 32 and move warp 32 across to slit 14.

Bring 1 bead onto warp 16. Move warp 16 across to slit 30. Turn the disk clockwise 1/4 turn.

Continue with this pattern until you have reached the desired length. Do not count the 1/2 inch of unbeaded braid as part of your overall length as this will be cut off.

Create another 1/2 inch of plain braid.

Remove the braid from the disk and tie all 8 strand ends together in a knot.

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To Finish a Kumihimo Braid with Crimp End

Cut a length of Nymo D thread and tie a knot around one end of the braid. Tightly wrap one end of the Nymo around the braid a few times and then repeat with the other end going in the opposite direction from the first. Tie another knot to secure and then use a thread burner to remove the excess thread.

Cut the end of the braid off.

Place a crimp end over the end so that the Nymo is not visible and then crimp with a pair of chain nose pliers.

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To Finish a Kumihimo Braid with End Caps

Follow the instructions from previous on wrapping the braid with Nymo. Now is a good time to measure the end and decide which size end cap is needed. Be sure to measure how long of an end to leave on the braid as you want it to reach the very tip of the endcap for a secure hold. I like to cut the end long and then test my end cap to see how it fits. Cut more off if needed until the fit is perfect.

Apply some adhesive to the inside of the endcap and to the end of the braid. I like to use one hour epoxy.

Slide the endcaps over the braid ends as far as you can and let dry.