Fun Kumihimo Gifts To Make

Last Updated on March 21, 2022 by lydiaf1963

It’s Pinterest Challenge time again and today, since Father’s Day is coming up, we’re sharing gifts for men. I have two Kumihimo gifts to make, a key fob and an eyeglass cord.

What does kumihimo mean?

Kumihimo is the Japanese art of braiding multiple threads into a single cord. Kumihimo means “gathered threads” in Japanese. Historically the cords were used as lacings and ties. As one adds more cords to the braid, intricate patterns can be formed.

There are specialized tools for making braids, a marudai for example. You’ll want to check out YouTube to see the variety of looms and stands used to make traditional kumihimo.

For crafting all one needs is a kumihimo disk. They are made of foam with a hole in the middle and slots cut around the edge. Kumihimo disks can be circular or square. In addition you’ll need jewelry findings, beads, cord or thread and some sort of glue. It all depends on the project and how you intend to use it.

A bundle of cords is passed through the middle of the disk and arranged in a pattern around the edges. The cords are manipulated one at a time across the center from one slot to another and the disk is turned to work on the next set of cords. The action of moving the cords and turning the disk forms the braid.

This video demonstrates how to form the 8 strand round braid, but the motion will be the same for the 16 cord round braid. What changes is the arrangement of the colored cords to form a pattern.

I was inspired by this pin to set up the cords for the eyeglass holders. Everything I used from the red, yellow and green cord to the findings came from my stash. I honestly don’t remember buying any of it except the kumihimo disks and the cords! This stuff has been in my stash for a LONG time!

The rule of thumb for measuring the cord

My eyeglass cord measures about 2 feet in length. The rule is to measure 2 and a half times the finished length plus a couple inches for each individual cord in the braid. So far in the projects I’ve made this has been more than enough.

The key fob is a 16 cord pattern which creates sort of a harlequin effect, inspired by this pin. The more cords used to make the braid, the more complicated the patterns can be.

As mentioned, once you learn the basic movements for the braids the action is the same, you’ll just have more repeats per round.

Kumihimo is a very versatile craft. When you change the material you’ll change the characteristics of the resulting braid which means you can be very creative and add beads or mix materials.

Here are a few YouTube channels I found helpful. Check them out and make your own kumihimo gifts!:

• Prumihimo
• Fire Mountain Gems
• Beadaholique
• CSL Designs
• Halcyon Yarn

It’s time for the May Pin Challenge! The purpose of the Pinterest Challenge is to motivate us to not just pin, but to make it happen! This month’s challenge is about Father’s Day or projects geared towards the men in our lives.

TO JOIN NEXT MONTH’S #PINTERESTCHALLENGE, CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP ⇒ June Pinterest Challenge

For more Pinterest inspired projects from this month’s Pinterest Challenge hosts, check out the links below ↓

My Pinterventures • Across the Boulevard
Cookies Coffee and Crafts • Farm Girl Reformed • Slices of Life
Decorate and More with Tip • Purple Hues and Me
Life Beyond Kitchen • Simple Nature Decor • White Arrows Home
Mom Home Guide • Stone Cottage Adventures • Teadoddles
Our Good Life • My Family Time

Now, let’s see what the other hosts have created ⇓⇓