Customer Reviews

Creative Kumihimo

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

 

 

I wouldn't recommend this book for beginners because it is so full of information and braid patterns, however, once a person has learned how to do the braiding with the beginners book by Jacqui Carey this book is a great in the fact that it does have different patterns that are more intricate. I would recommend this book for people who already know how to do Kumihimo braiding and want to expand their braiding abilities.

This book contains advanced patterns for the Marudai, using 4, 8 and 16 tamas (bobins). Once you understand that the kumihimos in the pictures are described at the end of the book you're good to go. The patterns let you see how the colors will affect the results and plan ahead to get the effect you desire.
One thing I regret though is that the chapter on endings doesn't have enough details and would need more drawings.
Highly recommended for intermediate level. If you are a complete beginner you should buy "The Beginner's Guide to Braiding: The Craft of Kumihimo by Jacqui Carey" first.

This is one of my favorite kumihimo books. Ms. Carey presents all the basics, but she goes way beyond just the basics - equipment needed, working with the threads and cords (the warp), and patterns for a lot of different braids. The essential piece of equipment is a braiding stand or maru-dai. The threads and cords are wound onto bobbins (tama) which are then suspended across the top (or mirror) of the maru-dai. Ms. Carey discusses setting up the maru-dai and covers types of thread to use, the length to use, and how much thread per bobbin. This section includes some terrific photos that make everything very clear.

The braid's structure is determined by a series of movements and the photos that accompany each braid type show exactly how to handle the threads in the braiding process. Plus - there's a discussion of patterns and how to read them. There are a lot a braid patterns included in this book and with each one there's a color photo of the of the finished braid, a diagram of the layout of the cords on the maru-dai, and a photo of what the cental brading point looks like (some braids have very distinctive center points and in any case, observing changes at the center can catch errors early).

There's a lot of detail on finishing your braids (an entire chapter) with explanations and great photos of the various approaches (knotting, beads, tassels, etc.). I like the author's approach and concise style. The last chapter is called "Creative Effects" and it includes some wonderful examples of things you can do with your braids.

"Creative Kumihimo" is great. It has step-by-step, very clear, instructions to make oodles of braids. Very informative.

Good clear instructions, I have been able to make some beautiful necklaces and have a lot of fun doing it. feel good about purchasing this book its informative and easy to follow. Its made me love Kumihimo!

This is a very good introduction book to Kumihimo. Everyone who can put attention to any handcrafting would be able to produce very nice pieces very quick.

If you are any sort of kumihimo enthusiast and you've worked your way through her first book, you need to add this to your library. Teaches the physics of kumi braids as well as many patterns. Easily adaptable to the foam disk if you don't use a maurudai.