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Fiber Information
KUMIHIMO Kumihimo is the ancient art of braiding, usually with the MaruDai or marudai (round stand/loom). It is almost a zen feeling to make Kumihimo braids on the wooden MaruDai. The wooden loom appears very nice in hard maples or other hard woods, the feel of the mirror or top of the loom is good and the sound of the wooden bobbins hitting the wood as you work the braid is so very soothing. With different pattern sequences and a variety of wonderful fibers you can attain almost any look you want in a braid. The world of Kumihimo is exponential! Along with the wooden MaruDai are bobbins, counterbalance weights and a weight bag, plus a chopstick. The counterbalance weights (bobbins) are threaded with the fibers while the weight bag holds the braid down the center of the loom. The weight bag is usually filled with lead weights (such as you use in fishing). There is also the paper/cardboard version of the MaruDai or an acrylic version. Silk is the traditional Japanese thread used in Kumihimo but you can use any fiber that can be wound on a bobbin and braided! Kumihimo was originally used by the Samurai (12th century Japan) in the construction of their armor. These braids are decorative as well as strong and flexible. The Samurai would lace sections of their armor with the Kumihimo braids. Traditionally the obi-jime, a cord used to secure the fabric sash of a kimono was also made of Kumihimo after the Samurai were banned.
Photos below are: braid using cotton threads, one with fancy yarn and a bracelet with a lampwork bead clasp. I of course, being a lampwork artisan, have the need to put one or more of my lampwork beads on my braids so that is what you will see here!
References on the art of Kumihimo braiding: Beginner's Guide to Braiding. The craft of Kumihimo by Jacqui Carey.
Felting Another fiber art is felting. Felting is the matting together of wool fibers. You can use the wet method and/or the needle method. I use a combination of both to make my little felted beads. I use a plain wool roving in the center with different colors on the top of the bead. Another idea is to felt in yarns which adds another interesting dimension. Differing sizes and shapes of felted beads are fun. I start out with my balls of wool roving, then I soak the wool in hot water with soap and roll them around until I have a ball shape or tube shape. I do this for a while and then let them dry. The rest of the felting is completed with a felting needle and styroform block.
Sources of materials:
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