This is a 12 warp kumihimo braid with a distinct raised spiral pattern. Until the braid has been fully mastered it is best to use 3 colours, as in the pictures. In this example the black cords will form the raised part of the braid and they will need to be approximately 30% longer than the other cords. It is possible to add beads during the braiding process and instructions for this can be found in Braiding with Beads.
Set up the kumihimo disk with one colour (green in this example) in slots 30, 31, 18 and 19. Remember that the slot is on the left of the number. If you find the numbers confusing and are familiar with basic Round Braid, scroll down to my ‘Quick No Number Method’.
Position a different colour (orange in this example) in slots 2, 3, 14 and 15.
Position black in slots 8, 9, 24 and 25.
Perform the following moves with the orange cords,
3 to 13 and 15 to 1
Then move the green cords,
31 to 17 and 19 to 29
Turn the kumihimo disk a quarter turn clockwise, so that slot 24 is in the 12 o’clock position.
Now move the black cords
25 to 7 and 9 to 23
Turn the kumihimo disk a quarter turn clockwise, so that the green and orange cords are at the top. This time green will be on the right and orange on the left.
Move the green cords
18 to 28 and 30 to 16
Move the orange cords
14 to 32 and 2 to 12
Turn the kumihimo disk a quarter turn clockwise, so that the black cords are at the top.
Move the black cords
8 to 22 and 24 to 6
Continue working in a clockwise direction, making sure that the orange and green cords do not cross over each other.
Quick No Number Method
If you are familiar with kumihimo Round Braid you may find it easier to follow these quick instructions.
1. Orange cords top right down, bottom left up (or vice versa), turn anti-clockwise
2. Green cords top right down, bottom left up, turn anti-clockwise
3. Black cords top right down, bottom left up, turn anti-clockwise
4. Green cords top right down, bottom left up, turn anti-clockwise
5. Orange cords top right down, bottom left up, turn anti-clockwise
6. Black cords top right down, bottom left up, turn anti-clockwise
Etc.
If you are enjoying extending your kumihimo skills you may want to take a look at the very detailed and unusual tutorials in the shop. Here are just a few of them,
