4-Cord Braid on the Prumihimo Disk

 

kumihimo 4 cord braid

The Prumihimo Disk was designed to make a traditional 8 cord braid, but there are other braid variations which can be made on the disk. I would only recommend trying other braids once the 8 cord braid has been mastered to avoid confusion. However, if you feel you are ready to try something else,  have a go at the 4-cord. It is a pretty braid, quick to make up and sparing with the materials. The 4- cord braid can be surprisingly difficult to make on the regular disk because with one pair of cords the top cord moves to the right of the bottom cord, while with the other pair of cords the top cord moves to the left of the bottom cord. The Prumihimo disk makes this easy because there is only one spare slot to move to each time!

Only the slots at numbers 1 and 2 are used for this braid.

4 cord

Hold the disk with number 1 at the top and perform the ususal moves,

Top down – Bottom up – Bottom across

Follow the arrow so that number 2 is at the top and perform the same moves,

Top down – Bottom up – Bottom across

There are no cords at numbers 3 and 4, so turn the disk in either direction so that number 1 is at the top again and repeat the moves.

4 cord blue

The 4 cord braid is a good choice of braid when a fairly thin braid is required from which to hang a pendant. This braid has been made with ribbon yarn in the top slots at numbers 1 and 2 and 2mm satin cord in the bottom slots at numbers 1 and 2.

(In case you are interested in the fish pendant, it was made using a kit from Spellbound Beads.)