Japanese Braiding: The Art of Kumihimo (Beginner's Guide to Needlecrafts)

Found this quite useful in learning the technique to make a few items, as a beginner. Have already tried three of the braid types included. Have used more of the book than expected. The book uses silk or an imitation silk called Biron in the projects, and mostly in 20 strand warps. Have adapted to using 3-ply S-Lon #18 (nylon) for some much finer items. This tends to produce a braid that is not quite as smooth though acceptable. One other comment is that the book is based on using the professional marudai or loom for the projects. Have adapted the technique to using one of the foam kumihimo disks. The marudai would probably allow you to work about twice as fast since you can use both hands at once on the braid itself, and would probably give the best result possible because of the more consistent tension inherent in it's use. It's definitely the tool to use if you plan on making this a serious hobby or being a professional. With the disk, one hand has to hold it and that slows things considerably. One plus with a disk is portability. Am finding that the disk rate is maybe 4-6" of braid per hour, considering myself an average worker. After using this book, can appreciate how braids turned into bracelets or necklaces and other items can produce unique and valuable pieces.It's very useful that in a given braid, the author shows different starting colors and positions, and photos of what the finished product will look like.

This is a useful book for one who wants to learn kumihimo on the marudai. The instructions are very clear and the illustrations are helpful.

It covers the craft very well. More intense then I expected. But in all it is a nice book to have on the shelf for reference to making different patterns as well as to get ideas on their use. I feel it is for the advanced people more then a beginner.

I found some new items suggested in the book that I "needed", such as the warping posts, and was able to find them and order. I like the variety and colors set-ups for working with the marudai. Don't think it would work with the kumi looms available. There's too much moving of thread groups. The book was what I needed at this time.

I recommend this book for beginners and those who are moderately advanced in the art of kumihimo. Clear instructions are written and accompanied by illustrations that make the process fully understandable. The binding of the book allows the book to be opened flat to allow viewing while working. Includes instructions for six patterns of braid as well as suggestions for using braid.

I've seen my daughter create these sorts of braids before (did not know at the time it was a Japanese braiding technique), but I had no idea there were so many patterns and variations. This is a great book as a reference - lots of patterns and ideas and enough breadth to help you go create your own designs.

Lovely photos of the different type of braids. If I had a wish, it would be to have a chapter on using foam looms. This book show show to use the Marudai. (?) which is the traditional method. I recommend it highly to see the tremendous amount of variations possible by color choices and positions, types of threads/yarns and the varied braiding patterns.

I have 2 other books on Kumihimo by Jacqui Carey and have been working with beads in kumihimo for several years. I especially like this book because it is a great size for taking with you, yet it has a lot of information. It's is a great book for both beginners and advanced "kumihimoers." I also recommend getting Jacqui's first book on Kumihimo.

This is a very straightforward easy to follow guide to making your own braiding using a marudai. It even shows you how to make a cheap home-made version of a marudai. Being ring binded within a hardcover makes the book easy to use while you work, (no need for weights to hold the pages down). It's well thought out and has some wonderful colour photos of finished braids, which are truly beautiful works of art. In depth in explaining threads and warps and more technical stuff in simple terms. And it accomplishes what it sets out to do, yet I feel it lacks something. It's to clinical maybe.I bought this book at the same time as Helen Deighan's Beautiful Braids Made Easy, and of the two prefer Helens, as it's more fun. Having said that they demonstrate two different techniques for braiding. This one, as already stated, uses a marudai and the other, disks and plates. The marudai technique is more cumbersome then the easy to hold portable disks and plates, but is better for thicker, heavier braids. But the information regarding yarns and threads is valuable to disks and plates use as well.Possibly if I had read this book first, I would have warmed to it better. I would still reccomend it to a friend who wanted to seriously get into braiding. It is a valuable book to the art.

Very pleased with this excellent little book - have recently been exploring Kumihimo and though there are many alternative (inexpensive) Murandai and associated accessories, I found this informative and the actual working of braids clearly explained, with excellent colour photographs detailing various types of braid, together with finishing techniques.Pleasantly surprised that by following the clear step by step instructions my very first braid is quite acceptable, with the added bonus that the actual process of braiding is soothing as well as interesting - will definitely continue with this craft and probably purchase the more traditional equipment.

I like this book because the publisher has thought out how the consumer will use it while learning to braid. Rather than a bound spine there is a spiral binding which can be laid flat for easy viewing when occupied on the marudai.It arrived promptly overnight and will keep me occupied for several weeks. I have been looking for a different form of jewelry making rather than straight silk and knotting. Braiding can be used for a tremendous amount of projects including jewelry. I shall be learning about all the different types of material I can use to achieve my projects and hopefully produce some good products that are different.

Having bought a kumihimo disc with very sparse instructions I wanted a small simple book to fill in the gaps. This book fitted the bill perfectly, and I am well on the way to becoming hooked on kumihimo; well illustrated, simple, with instructions for various types of braiding, and the spring binding meant it stayed at the right page as I worked. Love it!

Brilliant item, easy to understand. Book very new, and explanitary.Would encourage people to buy this item and try a new hobby, it willcome in handy with children, as they love being shown things like thisespecially when there mates cannot do the same....