Make a round friendship bracelet or anklet using Kumihimo, a Japanese braiding technique. It's super easy. Grab your favorite colors of thread, a Kumihimo disc and you'll be whipping up a new friendship bracelet in no time.

Today I'm going to share with you how I made this Kumihimo Braided Bracelet/Anklet. Don't be intimidated by this. It's so easy - my 11 year old even made one for her friend.

How to Make a Kumihimo Braided Bracelet (or Anklet)

There are many ways you can use Kumihimo in jewelry making. I like to add seed beads to my friendship bracelets. Also see my more traditional Kumihimo Beaded Bracelets and how I set up different patterns for the beads.

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Supplies needed:

• Kumihimo Loom
• Embroidery Thread or Kumihimo Cord
• a weight
• scissors

My favorite thing to use for the string in a Kumihimo project is embroidery thread. I love it because I always have some on hand from other projects. Plus there are so many colors, you can really customize the bracelet to be exactly what you want.

Calculating how much thread you will need

To begin, decide how long you would like the finished bracelet. Then multiply that by 4 and add 12 inches. You will cut four strands at that length. {Two strands of each color}

For example, I wanted my bracelets 7 1/2 inches long. 7.5 X 4 = 30.  Then 30 + 12 = 42. So I cut two strands of cream thread and two strands of turquoise thread that were 42 inches each.

Setting up the Loom

Find the middle of your threads and tie them together with a small piece of string. Then tie on a weight of some kind. You could use a heavy bead, a small toy, whatever you can find around the house.... I found this little gauge that had a hole in it, not sure what it's for, but it worked well for this.

Braiding with a Kumihimo Loom

Step 1:

Pull your thread up through the hole in the center. Place one strand {turquoise} on each side of the N and S. Then place one strand {cream} on each side of the W and E.

Step 2: 

Grab the turquoise thread that is on the right of the N. Pull it out of the loom and place it in the next available space to the right of the S {Space 14, if you can read those small numbers}

Step 3: 

Now grab the turquoise thread to the left of the S and place it in the next available space to the left of the N. {Space 30}

Step 4: 

Turn the loom so the E is at the top.

Step 5:

Grab the cream thread to the right of the E and place it in the next available spot to the right of the W.

Step 6: 

Grab the cream thread to the left of the W and place it in the next available spot to the left of the E.

Step 7: 

Turn the loom so the S is at the top and repeat all the steps.

Step 8: 

Continue until the braid is as long as you would like it to be.

Finishing the Bracelet

When you are finished take each of turquoise threads off the loom and tie them in a knot right up next to the braid. Then repeat with the cream threads.

After the first few turns your threads will no longer line up with the letters, just continue the pattern.

To finish it off I just tied it in a knot after it was on my ankle. I'm planning on wearing it the rest of the summer.


So what do you think? It's pretty easy, isn't it?

Want to make more bracelets? Try these:

• Wax cord bracelets (Pura Vida inspired)

Kumihimo Braided Bracelet

Yield: 1

Author: Rachel

Estimated cost: $15

prep time: 5 Mperform time: 45 Mtotal time: 50 M

Make a round friendship bracelet or anklet using Kumihimo, a Japanese braiding technique. It's super easy.

materials:

• Embroidery Thread or Kumihimo Thread

tools:

• Kumihimo Loom
• A weight
• Scissors

steps:

Calculating how much cord you will need

1. To begin, decide how long you would like the finished bracelet. Then multiply that by 4 and add 12 inches. You will cut four strands at that length. {Two strands of each color}
2. For example, I wanted my bracelets 7 1/2 inches long. 7.5 X 4 = 30. Then 30 + 12 = 42. So I cut two strands of cream thread and two strands of turquoise thread that were 42 inches each.

Setting up the Loom and Braiding on the Loom

1. Find the middle of your threads and tie them together with a small piece of string. Then tie on a weight of some kind (a heavy bead, small toy - anything to add some weight to it)
2. Pull your thread up through the hole in the center. Place one strand {turquoise} on each side of the N and S. Then place one strand {cream} on each side of the W and E.
3. Grab the turquoise thread that is on the right of the N. Pull it out of the loom and place it in the next available space to the right of the S {Space 14, if you can read those small numbers}
4. Now grab the turquoise thread to the left of the S and place it in the next available space to the left of the N. {Space 30}
5. Turn the loom so the E is at the top.
6. Grab the cream thread to the right of the E and place it in the next available spot to the right of the W.
7. Grab the cream thread to the left of the W and place it in the next available spot to the left of the E.
8. Turn the loom so the S is at the top and repeat all the steps.
9. Continue until the braid is as long as you would like it to be.

Finishing the Bracelet

1. When you are finished take each of turquoise threads off the loom and tie them in a knot right up next to the braid. Then repeat with the cream threads.
2. After the first few turns your threads will no longer line up with the letters, just continue the pattern.
3. To finish it off, put it on your arm or ankle and tie the ends in a knot.

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