Customer Reviews

Braids: 250 Patterns from Japan, Peru, and Beyond

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A most excellent book on braiding. Not only does he have pictures and instructions on each braid, there is a nice suprise for cheapska---I mean people who live frugally. In the equipment section Mr Owen offers three choices: The "proper" equipment (beautiful but rather expensive to build), a cheap version made out of multiple pieces of cardboard, washers and plastic bottles and a really really cheap version made out of a single piece of cardboard. This is nice for people with shallow pockets or if you are just seeing what this braiding stuff is all about. If you don't like it you are only out one piece of cardboard. People with multiple children will be happy too because each child can make their own "braider". Teachers take notice! A class project that includes art, motor skills and recycling old cardboard, washers and little plastic bottles too.

Detailed instructions are included on each design and how to make it on each type of braider.

This book was my complete introduction to complex braids. I wanted to make unique brains for use in jewelry and purses. This book tells you everything you need to know to get started and also to explore more advanced fields. Square braids, triangular braids, flat braids, round braids. Stuff you didn't know you wanted until you saw it!

My one beef with the book is that the steps for getting set up to make a particular braid aren't always intuitive. You'll want to do, say, a braid in the middle of the book, but there's some special technique which was only explained once, for a different braid pattern. But, once you've puzzled it out or if you don't mind making braids that are not "perfect" to the author or masters of kumihimo, you still get really great results.

At first I greatly enjoyed this book. It not only gave instructions on how to assemble your own equipment, it also had numerous braid designs with color photos and step by step instructions of how to make each. However, once I fiddled around a bit an got more serious and creative with my samples, I found that some of the more advanced techniques (such as the different ways to finish a braid) were lacking in their description and instruction. But, overall, a great book for beginners.

Smaller, cheaper books are available which give the basics of Japanese braiding. They make the art seem dry and unattainable unless you devote years to it. But this book explodes the boundaries! Mr. Owen shows the worldwide history of braiding. Then he makes the art easily accessible by offering different types of equipment. The text is clear and straightforward, the photos are inspiring. This book will be a classic in its field. Well worth the price.

Of the three braiding books I own, this one is far and away the best. Owen gives an
interesting synopsis of braiding from around the world, then concentrates on braiding
equipment, technique, and style. This book is suitable for all levels of expertise, with instructions for braids ranging from the most basic to very complex.

The instructions are clear and concise, with plenty of easy to understand diagrams and
great photos. They make it easy for a complete novice to not only start braiding, but
make the necessary equipment as well! For those not interested in making any of the
equipment there is a list of sources for braiding supplies at the end of the book.

This book does indeed have a great many patterns, although the title is somewhat misleading - he attributes most of the patterns to Peru or UK, and only a few to Japan. However, they all seem to share such similar roots that it may have been better to not attribute them to any country or region at all.

It's nice to see a large selection of instructions for the kumihimo card, as most of the books are written in Japanese and only available through select sellers. However, because his instructions are so specific, you almost can't use the commercially available kumihimo card at all and instead have to spend some tedious hours constructing your own out of cardboard. And as a further warning, it's not just one card that you have to make; he has several different cards for various braids.

The photographs of each braid are clear and well-magnified so you can easily see the finished product but the instructions, especially for more complicated braids, aren't always very clear and even seem unnecessarily complex. It may take several read-throughs and a good memory to understand. If you are looking to start kumihimo, Jacqui Carey's Beginners Guide to Braiding is far better. If you have an understanding of the basics of kumihimo, then you can probably figure the instructions out and create some stunning braids.

This book is one of the best art/craft books I have ever enjoyed. It includes a history of braiding, together with photographs illustrating different techniques and examples of the craft.

The instructions are clear and complete, and the patterns included range from 4-strand (simple-enough- for-an-8-year-old) to 48-strand (go-and-buy-all- the-Japanese-braiding-tools-before-you-try-this- one!)

Every pattern includes a photograph so you will know what you're trying to create. The pictures are gorgeous too, making this a real coffee table book.

...And I don't have any connection with the publisher!

This book has color pics of all the braids.
The instructions are easy to follow.
They have instructions for card weaving AND stand weaving.

I use a styrofoam doughnut form with 4 pencils stuck in it.
Then use fishing weights and safety pins to get even tension.
I use old metal sewing machine bobbins for thread.
Cost... Less than $10.00
Braid quality...Perfect.
You don't need expensive equipment to do this craft.
It's nice, just costly.

I've made most of the braids in this book, but my favorite + first braid was his triangular braid. People always ask where did I get it.

Hope this helps

If you are an absolute beginner at braid making, then I might suggest starting out with books by Jacqui Carey. But if you are the least bit familiar with braiding with square or round cards or the Maru Dai, then this book will be a cinch. It is remarkable for the variety of braids offered - 4, 8, 16 or 24 strands; flat; spiral; hollow; triangular; pentagon; Peruvian; Japanese, etc. A color illustration is included for every braid, and there are also several other full page color pictures.

This book is a little hard to find. If you come across a copy, grab it. There are enough variations here to challenge you creatively for years!

Has instructions for the Muradai and the card. Some say it isn't the best beginner's book but I found it more helpful than another book I've seen. The actual instructions for each braid is more condensed in this one but I think it makes it a better long term reference.

I wish it had instructions for finishing a braid with something other than a tassel. I have the 1995 edition. Maybe the new one has more . . . ?

REALLY like this book.