I love, love, love these cords and how simple they are to make. It’s my go-to craft when I’m hopping on the Overground to a workshop or party, or know that I have to commute into the city to get materials. These are also great little cords to use up random yarn scraps… so no waste here!
Here’s a quick little tutorial how to make your own kumihimo cords with a Loome Pom-Pom Trim Guide.
What you’ll need:
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Yarn scraps: 7 strands that are at least 45cm long
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Scissors (only for trimming the ends when you’re done)
Let’s get making!
First, gather all the strands together and tie a knot in the end, leaving a bit of a tail so that you can tie it onto something later.
Thread the knot through the hole and separate the strands so that each strand goes into a notch. There should be one empty notch and the knot should sit just inside the hole with the tail hanging out the other end. Hold the Trim Guide so that the empty notch is facing you.
Count to the left: 1, 2, 3. Take that third strand and pull it down into the empty notch.
Rotate the trim guide so that it’s facing you again.
Count to the left again: 1, 2, 3. Take that third strand and pull it down into the empty notch. Continue in this way, rotating the Trim Guide so that it’s facing you and gently pulling your cord through the back every so often. It doesn’t take long to make a kumihimo cord, one of the prettiest and simplest Japanese crafts. If you’d like the stop, I just twist all my strands together and pop the whole bundle into a little pouch and put it in my pocket or bag, so I can pull it out anytime I like to craft on the go.
Use your cords as necklaces, friendship bracelets, decorations on gifts… anything really!
You can use any type of fibre to create these cords as well; so experiment! Raffia, thin t-shirt yarn, ribbon, cord, embroidery floss… the possibilities are endless. What kind of cord will you make?