Have Fun With This Quick, Free Kumihimo Beaded Bracelet Design

Kumihimo braiding with beads creates a quick bracelet with texture and dimension. With just a few supplies, you too could be wearing a bracelet like this in no time (seriously), tonight, even!

Materials
Magatama 4x7mm beads (colors matte and metallic oil slick were used in this design)
Silk thread, size F, navy
8” of 20 gauge wire
Cone ends
Clasp

Tools
Kumihimo disc
(8) Bobbins
Scissors
Beading needle
Round-nose pliers
Flat-nose pliers
Chain-nose pliers
Wire cuttters
Adhesive

Optional
Kumihimo weight
Bead spinner
J needle

If you want to learn how to make the clasp, cones and wire ends seen in this design, check out my Wire Frames and Findings webinar, they’re all covered in there.

Step 1: Cut 8 lengths of thread, 3 times as long as your finished design. Thread one bead onto one length of thread then pass the thread back around through the bead, to create a “stop.”

Wind a few inches from this end of the thread, around a bobbin. Add a needle onto the other end of the thread; add your beads – I found, about 6” of beads is sufficient.

Repeat to fill all lengths of thread.

Tip: If your thread is long, and to help keep the threads from tangling, you can wind a bit more thread around the bobbin and even wind the beads into the bobbin.

Step 2: Gather the ends of your thread together and form an overhand knot. Pass the knot into the hole of the kumihimo disc (from the top down).

Looking at your disc as if it’s a clock, place a thread on each side of 12 o’clock; 3 o’clock; 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock. Most discs have dots as these places to help with set up; place a thread on each side of the dots.

Step 3: Maintain tension (you may need to pull on the knot to keep the weave even while you get things started). Weave the threads around the disc in the following manner, keeping in mind, the number referenced indicates the slit to the left of the number:

Move the thread in 17 up to 31.

Move thread 1 to 14.

Rotate the disc clockwise, ¼ turn. Move thread 9 to 23.

Move thread 25 to 7.

Rotate the disc clockwise, ¼ turn and continue working the threads in the same manner with each 1/4 turn, always turning in the same direction. Continue weaving the threads until you have about ½ inch of braid.

Step 4. Add the weight to the thread, above the knot; this will help you with your tension. With your next move, bring a bead from the next thread in the pattern, up toward the opening of the disc and into the weave, tucked under the thread to the “west of the moving thread.”

Release the next thread in the pattern, slip a bead toward the center, tuck it under the thread to the “east” then complete the move, tucking the thread into it’s rightful slot.

Continue to weave around the disc, bringing a bead into the weave with each pass. Continue to work around the disc until you have a length of beaded braiding that suits your design. Once you have completed your braid, weave about ½” of braid without beads.

Step 5: Remove the braid from the disc. Knot all the threads together above where your braiding ended. Trim away the excess thread.

Step 6: Wrap a thread a little above the beadwork and knot the new thread. Wrap the thread around the beadwork again and tie a knot. Apply a dab of adhesive and let cure.

Step 7: Using wire cutters, cut a 4” length of wire. Using round-nose pliers, form a coil in the end of a length of wire.

Place the coil over the end of the thread.

Compress the coil toward the cording.

Slip the cone over the straight end of the wire.

Form a wrapped loop with the straight end of the wire.

Repeat for the other end.

Step 8: Add a jumpring to one wrapped loop. Add a jumpring to the other wrapped loop and the loop in a clasp to finish.

Make this kumihimo-braided-beaded-bracelet design to suit your own style by changing up the color magatama beads, bead shape, or the metal color for your wire and findings, then please share images of your design with us here, at BeadingDaily.com.

Happy Beading!

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