Braid-along 2 – Braiding with beads on the Prumihimo disk

The second group braid-along started on 12th July 2021 and lasted for just over 4 weeks. The aim of the braid-along was to teach braiders how to use the Prumihimo disk with beads. Each week I introduced a different bead placement and encouraged people to make a bracelet and post it in the Kumihimo by Prumihimo and Friends  facebook group.  People chose a wide variety of beads and cords to use for the bracelets, producing a wonderful range of designs, which in turn inspired others to experiment more with their own materials. Although the braid-along has now come to an end, all the instructions can be found here, so that anyone can work through the steps in their own time. It is recommended that the weeks are followed in order. To view the participants designs you will need to go to the facebook group and search for #braidalong2. It is well worth taking the time to expand each photo to see the braid clearly.

Start date – Monday 12th July

Projects – 4 bracelet projects, one per week

Duration – 4 weeks

Equipment – Prumihimo disk. The Prumihimo disk was designed by me and it is protected by design patent and trademark. Please respect this and be aware that no other type of equipment is permitted for this braid-along.

Materials – These are just approximate amounts to make all 4 bracelets. You might decide to make them all in the same colour/bead combinations or you might decide to make them all different. If you are not a bracelet person, you could make necklaces instead, which would require 2-2.5 times the bracelet quantities. If you use thinner cord you will need more beads because they will be more closely spaced. Look to see what you have in your stash and be ready to be flexible!

Cord – 10m (11 yards) 2mm satin cord and 12m (13 yards) beading cord (eg S-Lon 0.5mm/Tex210)

Beads – 250 size 8 seed beads, 150 larger beads approximately 4-6mm (eg long magatamas, 6mm top-drilled beads, 4mm gemstone          rounds, 2/0 seed beads, pellet beads, 6mm mushroom beads, etc)

4 clasps, internal diameter 6mm

Skill level – Anyone who can make a basic braid on the Prumihimo disk. My aim is to make this enjoyable and informative for newbies and experienced braiders alike.

How it will work – Every Monday I will post instructions for a bracelet made on the Prumihimo disk and will give a link to a YouTube video for instructions for the technique. You will have one week to make the bracelet and post your work. Some people will probably want to stick close to the pattern I supply, while others will want to try something different. The designs will allow for lots of individual creativity, as well as the chance to use up items from your stash. It makes no difference if you are new to the Prumihimo disk or you have been using it for years, because it is all about joining in, sharing  and having fun. We will all learn from this braid-along and I include myself in that. Seeing how different braiders make use of the same basic instructions will be so interesting and inspiring. Using up forgotten items from your stash will be so satisfying and cost effective. Seeing the progress made by other participants will perk up your mojo. What a great way to spend the summer and strengthen our braiding community.

What will I learn? – You will learn how to use beads on the Prumihimo disk using the single, double, triple and quadruple beading methods. These are the underlying techniques of all beaded designs on this disk. You will also learn how different beads can be used to achieve different effects. You will learn some great colour and bead combinations from your fellow braiders. These skills will allow you to experiment with your own designs with confidence. You will also gain the necessary skills to be able to attend my zoom workshops, which are all aimed at intermediate braiders. Most of all, if you didn’t know already, you will learn what fun it is to braid on the Prumihimo disk.

Can the braid-along be completed at any time? Yes it can, but the real fun is joining in when everyone else is at the same stage. The work-in-progress posts, the critique from me, the encouragement of other participants and the time frame are all part of the learning process and the enjoyment. After the 4 weeks of braid-along it will still be possible to work through the instructions on your own because the information will be transferred across to this website as a permanent record.

Preparation – Find your Prumihimo disk or order one if necessary. These are currently only available from the UK, so if you live in another country time to get one is now getting tight. If you order now it should arrive in time, but there is no guarantee! Gather your supplies. Practise the basic braid without beads on the Prumihimo disk. It is important to be able to carry out the braiding moves confidently and accurately. If there is a slight twist in your braid it is ok, but bumps, lumps and irregular stitches are not!

Where will I find the information? – I aim to post the information for each bracelet on Monday 12th July and on each Monday for the next 3 weeks. The posts will be found in the Kumihimo by Prumihimo and Friends Facebook group. Look out for the posts on a turquoise background and they will be tagged #braidalong2 to make them easy to find. The information will also be available in the blog posts on this website and once the braid-along has finished they will be transferred to the Resources section of this website.

Let the fun begin!

 

Prumihimo braid
Before starting to follow the instructions for the braid-along it is important to make sure you are ready for it, by learning and practising the braid structure and by gathering your materials. This braid-along is all about beaded braiding on the Prumihimo disk. This unique disk was designed by me and it is my intellectual property, protected by patent in numerous countries, including the US and the UK. Only this disk may be used for the braid-along and I hope that all potential participants will respect this. The disk is available for sale on this website, but with time now running short only UK orders will arrive in time for the start of the braid-along.Lots of people have purchased a Prumihimo disk for the first time in readiness for the braid-along and I have been seeing lots of posts showing that they are learning how to use the disk. This is absolutely what is needed at this stage. The braid-along is about beaded Prumihimo, so you need to know how to use the disk accurately and confidently to make plain braids before 12th July. Failure to do this will result in disappointment! If you do not master the basic braid structure your beads will not form correctly on the braid. When you start to learn the braid it is a really good idea to use contrasting colours of satin cord and beading cord, so that you can identify any errors in your braid. You should be aiming for a smooth braid, with even stitch lengths and the beading cords forming in straight lines along the braid. A gentle curve or twist to the braid is fine. This is a very common, minor tension issue and can be corrected by steaming. You can find out more about steaming a braid here. However, lumps, bumps, kinks and uneven stitch lengths are signs that you are making errors or you are not keeping the braid in the middle of the hole in the disk. This video will help you to get the basics right. Please watch it carefully and practise, practise, practise until you get it right!Prumihimo Disk Quick Start 

single beading
Week 1
For week 1 the task is to make a braid using the single beading method, which creates a single row of beads on one side of the braid. I have filmed a video to explain the technique and I recommend that this is watched first. Then the following bracelet instructions can be used to make a bracelet. If you prefer you can use more cord and beads to make a necklace. You will need to multiply the quantities by approximately 2-2.5 times. The fun comes when everyone shares their braids and we see how different the bracelets can look depending on the sizes, shapes and colours of beads used. I hope that people will get creative and hunt through their stash to find unusual beads.

  1. Watch this video
  2. Gather your materials  4 x 60cm (24 inches) 2mm satin cord, 4 x 70cm (28 inches) beading cord 0.5mm/Tex210, 15-18 size 8 seed beads and 15-18 larger beads
  3. Set up your disk. Tie all the cords together at one end and put the satin cord in the top and bottom slots with dots at numbers 1 and 2. Put the beading cord in the top and bottom slots with dots at numbers 3 and 4.
  4. Braid for approximately 2cm (1 inch)
  5. Thread 16-19 size 8 beads onto the top cord at 3. (You will start and end with a small bead, so one more than the large beads is required)
  6. Thread 15-18 larger beads onto the bottom cord at 3.
  7. Continue to braid, adding in a bead from the top cord at 3 in every sequence of moves.
  8. Check your braid. The beads should be forming in a straight line along the braid, alternating between small and large beads.
  9. Continue to braid until the length is correct for you, taking into account the length of the clasp and how much of the braid will be inside the clasp. Make sure you finish with a small bead. Every braid and every wrist is different, so it is never possible to give instructions for exactly how many beads to use. This part is up to you!
  10. Remove your braid from the disk. Knot the braid to prevent unravelling
  11. If your braid is slightly twisted you can straighten it using the steaming method. Click here to find instructions.
  12. Attach your clasp. If you need help attaching your clasp please watch this video.
  13. If you like what you have made, try making another one with different beads. If you were left with lots of unused cord you can adjust the cord lengths for the next one. The single beading method is particularly effective for necklaces, so perhaps you could try a matching necklace.

Prumihimo disk

Trouble shooting

If your braid is moderately twisted you can flatten it by steaming it.

If your braid is knobbly, lumpy or kinky you need to return to practising the braid without beads. Watch this video. Make sure you are following the instructions correctly and practise until you can braid accurately and confidently. Then try again.

If your braid is floppy it is probably the result of using cord that is too soft or of using a disk with stretched slots. Try again with a firmer cord. Try using  weighted bobbins or tape a couple of coins to regular bobbins to increase the tension.

If the braid is too long or short make sure you learn from it because this first braid will be used to get the sizing right for the next bracelets.

Many people in the group are very proficient and creative braiders on the Prumihimo disk and this relatively simple task may not seem to be of interest to them, but I really hope they will join in too. There is more to the braid-along than just learning the skills. It is also about having fun and encouraging others, while strengthening our braiding community. The contribution from those at different stages in their kumihimo adventure is what will make this braid-along a success.

Week 2

Now it is time to move on to Week 2 of our group braid-along and for this week we will concentrate on Double Beading, which is how two parallel rows of beads can be added into the braid. As before, I have filmed a quick video to demonstrate the technique and I recommend that this is watched first. Then the following bracelet instructions can be used to make a beautiful bracelet to match your first one and they can be worn very effectively as stacking bracelets. Perhaps you would like to try something different, based on what you have seen in the first week. It may be that someone else’s beads have reminded you of something in your stash, so why not give it a go? The instructions below are based on 2mm satin cord and beads no larger than 6mm. If your cord is thinner or your beads are larger, you may need to space out the beads more by braiding for one complete sequence of moves (sequence = all 3 moves at all 4 numbers) in between the bead sequences. If you would prefer to make a necklace you will need to multiply the quantities by 2-2.5 times. Perhaps you would like to make something else using the double beading technique, such as a key fob, a lariat, a bookmark or whatever your imagination comes up with.

Every braid is different, depending on the condition of the disk, the materials used and the tension of the braider. If you found that you were left with a lot of unused cord for the first bracelet you can make adjustments for the second one. You may also need to adjust the number of beads used. Keeping careful notes of your cord and bead consumption helps you to reduce waste and helps you to understand your own particular style of braiding.

Prumihimo disk

  1. Watch this video
  2. Gather your materials  – 4 x 60cm (24 inches) 2mm satin cord, 4 x 70cm (28 inches) beading cord 0.5mm/Tex210, approximately 32-38 size 8 seed beads and 30-36 larger beads
  3. Set up your disk. Tie all the cords together at one end and put the satin cord in the top and bottom slots with dots at numbers 1 and 2. Put the beading cord in the top and bottom slots with dots at numbers 3 and 4.
  4. Braid for approximately 2cm (1 inch)
  5.  The beads are threaded in an alternating pattern of large and small beads on both the top and bottom cords at number 3. Thread on approximately 31-37 beads, starting and ending with a seed bead.
  6. Continue to braid, adding in a bead from both the top cord and the bottom cords at 3 in every sequence of moves.
  7. Check your braid. The beads should be forming in a straight line along 2 opposite sides of the braid, alternating between small and large beads.
  8. Continue to braid until the length is correct for you, taking into account the length of the clasp and how much of the braid will be inside the clasp. Make sure you finish with a small bead. Every braid and every wrist is different, so it is never possible to give instructions for exactly how many beads to use. This part is up to you!
  9. Remove your braid from the disk. Knot the braid to prevent unravelling
  10. If your braid is slightly twisted you can straighten it using the steaming method. Click here to find instructions.
  11. Attach your clasp. If you need help attaching your clasp please watch this video.
  12. If you like what you have made, try making another one with different beads. If you were left with lots of unused cord you can adjust the cord lengths for the next one.

Alternative bead layout

prumihimo braid-along

The bracelet on the left has been made following the instructions above. This positions the same type of bead directly opposite on the braid. The bracelet on the right has the same type of bead diagonally opposite. For this braid thread one type of bead on the top cord at 3 and the other type on the bottom cord at 3.

If you want to work out different bead placements remember that the cords swap positions in each sequence of moves, so that the top cord for one sequence will be the bottom cord for the next sequence.

Confused? Just load on a few beads of different colours, shapes or sizes and see what happens when you braid them. Keep a note of the effects you like and then try them for a full bracelet or necklace.

Have fun!

Week 3

For the third week we are going to look at Triple Beading, which is braiding beads on three sides of the braid. With this technique the braids will look more intricate and less of the cord will show. The fourth side of the braid will sit against the skin, so this allows the use of spikey or scratchy beads on the opposite side and is also a good way of keeping the cost down when more expensive beads are used. I have filmed a quick video to demonstrate the technique and I recommend that this is watched first. I hope you are keeping records of what cord lengths work for you because this is the best way to reduce waste.What did you learn from the first two weeks? Now is the time to put some of the things you have learnt into practise. Perhaps you would like to try some of the cords you have seen used by other participants, or you might like to try mixing different colours of cord. We have seen lots of interesting beads being used, so perhaps it is time to delve deeper into your stash and try something you might previously have considered to be unsuitable for kumihimo. Some participants said that they tried things and didn’t like the result, so they tried something else. Experimenting is always the best way to learn and the discarded braids teach just as much as the successful ones.This week think about how you wish to space your beads. With the Prumihimo disk you always have to remember that the cords swap positions in every sequence of moves. If you want the middle row of beads to be closely spaced you need to put the beads on both the top and bottom cords at number 4, but you only add in a bead from the top cord. If you want the middle row to be widely spaced you only need beads on the top cord at number 4 and you add in a bead only when this cord is at the top. If you have set up your disk for a particular layout and later decide to add a sequence without beads in between, you will find that the beads are no longer on the correct cords!

Here are the instructions for week 3

  1. Watch this video.
  2. Set up your disk using the cord lengths that have worked for you in your previous braids.
  3. Thread beads onto the top and bottom cords at number 3
  4. For wide spaces between the beads thread beads only onto the top cord at number 4. For narrow spaces between the beads thread beads onto both cords at number 4.
  5. When you braid the cords at number 4 only drop in from the top cord. After a few sequences check your braid to make sure that you have beads on 3 sides of the braid.
  6. If your braid is slightly twisted you can straighten it using the steaming method. Click here to find instructions.
  7. Attach your clasp. If you need help attaching your clasp please watch this video.
  8. If you like what you have made, try making another one with different beads, different cords or with different spacing. If you were left with lots of unused cord you can adjust the cord lengths for the next one.

Triple Beading Prumihimo

Week 4
The featured technique for week four is Quadruple Beading, or Quad Beading, on the Prumihimo disk. This involves adding beads on all four sides of the braid in straight rows. When I look through my own work and the work of others on the Prumihimo disk I can see that most of the braids are either Double Beading or Triple Beading. I can also see many braids made using the Single Beading method, but far fewer made using the Quadruple Beading method, so this braid-along is going to be a great opportunity to look at exploiting the possibilities of this under used technique. The reason for this set up to be less used than others is because it does not have the unbeaded side of the braid, which sits next to the skin, so you need to think about how smooth and comfortable the beads you intend to use might be. The advantage of having beads next to the skin is that oils from the skin or beauty products are held away from the braid, which is particularly useful when using very pale coloured cords.The first consideration is the coverage you wish to achieve. It is possible to completely cover the underlying braid with beads or to have braid showing in between the beads, to a greater or lesser degree. To achieve the look you want you need to match up the width of the cord with the size of the beads. To cover the braid the beads need to be larger and the cord thinner. For sparser coverage use smaller beads and wider cord. Exact instructions cannot be given because there are so many variables, but you can look back over the braids you have made so far to assess the relationship between the beads and the cords. Trialling different combinations is the best way to work out what works for you and for the materials you have to hand.  This guidance can be used as a starting point.For full coverage try 1.5- 2mm satin cord and long magatama beadsFor sparse coverage try 2mm satin cord and size 8 or size 11 seed beads

The second consideration is the length of the braid and this is a particular issue for bracelets. For the previous braids you have been able to repeat the length that worked for the first one, but when you have beads on the inside of the braid it will need to be longer. This photo shows the effect of having beads on the inside of the braid. All three bracelets fit my wrist perfectly, but the length of each one has been adjusted to accommodate the number and size of beads on the inside of the braid.

Prumihimo braid length

 

Here are the instructions for week 4

  1. Watch this video.
  2. Set up your disk, allowing approximately 10% more cord than used in previous bracelets.
  3. Thread beads onto all 4 beading cords.
  4. Add in beads from both top and bottom cords at numbers 3 and 4. For wider spacing try adding in beads from the top and bottom at 3 in one sequence and then from the top and bottom at 4 in the next sequence.
  5. Check the length of your braid carefully before removing it from the disk. It will need to be slightly longer than previous braids and this will depend on the number and size of beads you have used.
  6. Twisting is more likely to occur when you have beads on all four sides of the braid. If your braid is slightly twisted you can straighten it using the steaming method. Click here to find instructions.
  7. Attach your clasp. If you need help attaching your clasp please watch this video
  8. If you like what you have made, try making another one with different beads, different cords or with different spacing. Now that all four bead placements have been learnt you can try mixing them in one braid.

Conclusion

If you have got this far with the braid-along you can sit back and admire your achievement. You have learnt how to add beads on all 4 beading cords on the Prumihimo braid and you have learnt how different bead spacing can be achieved. The braids you have made can now be used as samples to help you to work out your own designs. I hope you looked carefully at all the work of the other participants because a braid-along is about far more than just me giving instructions. People have chosen a wide range of beads and cords to work with, creating so many different effects. My intention was to bring together instructions from me with the creativity of the group to show the versatility of the Prumihimo disk and encourage people to develop their skills and explore their own ideas.

Braidalong2