Braiding

Techniques

• Medieval braids: History and techniques

• Photo and directions for a knotwork-like three-color braid

• Fingerloop braiding for one person

• Fingerloop braiding for two or more people

• Multiperson fingerloop braids by yourself with an example and a discussion of braid structure

• Seal tag braided using this technique

Kumihimo

Kumihimo is a Japanese braiding technique in which a braiding stool (marudai) is used to support the bobbins used to hold the working threads. Many bobbins can be used, to create very complex braids.

This braid is blue silk and metallic embroidery thread, eight bobbins with many strands per bobbin.

This is a sampler of all the 8-bobbin braids from Roderick Owen's book Braids: 250 Patterns from Japan, Peru & Beyond.