This braid is a wide, thin braid with a chevron surface pattern. It is virtually identical to the 10 cord flat braid because only the last two moves are different. Use this method for 16 cords. The Japanese name for this braid is Une Gumi.
(The numbering/lettering system on flat plates varies. On some plates the numbers are obscured when the cords are in the slots and the numbers become partially worn away after a few uses. It may, therefore, be necessary to follow the photos or renumber your plate)
1. Start with 6 cords along the top, in slots 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 and 6 cords along the bottom, in slots 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.
2. Move the cord in slot 5 to slot e and the cord in slot 6 to slot E.
3. This braid is worked from the centre outwards to the sides and one side is braided at a time. First the left half of the plate isworked. Move the cord in slot 15 up to slot 5, which is the vacant slot directly above.
4. Perform the following moves
4 to 15
14 to 4
3 to 14
13 to 3
5. Now work the right half of the plate, by moving the cord in slot 16 up to the vacant slot 6.
6. Perform the following moves,
7 to 16
17 to 7
8 to 17
18 to 8
5. Move the cord in slot E down to slot 13 and the cord in e down to slot 18. The cords are now back in the starting positions. Repeat the whole sequence until the braid is the required length.
Important – It can be difficult to get the tension even in this sort of braid, which will make the sides of the braid uneven. However, this will come with practise. Pay particular attention to the moves from 5 to e and 6 to E. These two moves draw the sides of the braid inwards. Consistent pulling on these moves will ensure even sides.
Different patterns can be achieved with different positioning of the cords. This is the set up for the braid at the top of the page.
