Friday, August 30, 2013

Kumihimo Beaded Bracelets Tutorial

 Today I'm going to show you how to make Kumihimo Beaded Bracelets. You'll remember that my August project as a Prima Bead Team Blogger was Kumihimo. I made few different designs and I'll share how to make each one. It's all in how you set up the beads on the loom.





Let's get started:

To begin, you may want to review how to make a Braided Kumihimo Bracelet.  This tutorial does not cover each specific step like the Braided Kumihimo Bracelet does. I will just show you how to add the beads into the bracelet. 


When you start your bracelet, you will want to begin by making a Kumihimo braid. You will make the braid just long enough {about 1/4"} for your end cap to be glued on to. Then it's time to start adding beads.


Step 1: When you pull your top right string off of the loom, slide a bead up the string.

Step 2: Slide the bead all the way to the center hole in your loom. Make sure you tuck it under the {turquoise} string.

Step 3: Then place your string in the next available slot to the right at the bottom of the loom.

Step 4: Repeat with the left bottom string. Slide the bead up and to the center of the hole, making sure it is tucked under the turquoise string.

Turn the loom and repeat the process. When you have your bracelet the length you want braid a 1/4 inch or so without beads so you can add your other end cap on.

As I'm typing this up, I 'm realizing how hard it is to describe what to do. I hope the pictures help explain what I'm having a hard time explaining.  If you have any questions, please ask! I am more than happy to help.

Now for the fun part! I'm going to share how I got the different designs in the bracelets.

 For this bracelet with the gold speckles in it, I strung 6 of the strands with turquoise beads and two with gold beads. The picture below shows the two strands that I used for the gold beads. I didn't want them directly opposite each other. I think that would have made it more uniform looking rather than random.

And my favorite of the two - the spiral bracelet.

This was really easy. You string 4 strands with turquoise and 4 strands with gold. Place two strands of turquoise directly opposite of the other two strands of turquoise. Do likewise with the gold. Here's picture of what I'm talking about.

Have you tried Kumihimo? Have you discovered how to make any cool designs? I'd love to hear about it and try my hand at different styles.


Now, just in case you're wanting any of the exact supplies I used, here's the list.
Kumihimo Round Disc

Sparkly Blue Bracelet:
Metallic Blue Cord
6mm Glass Rondelle Metallic Blue Beads
Metal Findings Mix - Silver

Turquoise and Gold Bracelets:
Brown Cord
Acrylic Rondelle Turquoise Beads
Acrylic Rondelle Gold Beads




Other Kumihimo Posts:
Kumihimo Beaded Bracelets from Prima Bead
How to Make a Kumihimo Bracelet {or Anklet}
Embroidery Thread and Seed Bead Bracelets



I am a Prima Bead Blog Team Member. I am also an affiliate of Prima Bead. I receive product from Prima Bead. In return, I create jewelry pieces from that product, and share about them through my blog and other social media outlets. All opinions expressed in this post are mine.

8 comments :

  1. WOW, I just love them!! I love the last one, the light blue!! ~KM

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  2. These are very pretty, thanks for sharing at Mix it up Monday :)

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  3. Love these style bracelets...thanks for the tut!

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  4. Just ordered me a Kumihimo disc! I can't wait to try my hand at this type of jewelry making.

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  5. How long do my strings need to be? I am sure it would depend on the size of beads? I making thin with size 8 seed beads but i dont know how much string to cut!

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    1. This is what I did - I didn't worry too much about the bead size because you add extra to your measurement. You will need to decide how long you want your finished bracelet. Then multiply that number by 4 and add 12 inches.
      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. Hope that helps

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  6. How many beads should I put on each strand

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    1. For a bracelet, I start with 20-25 beads on each strand. You can always add more later if needed as well. And of course, if you're bracelet is the length you desire then you don't have to use them all.

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