How to weave medieval cords for trimming, bracelets or necklaces.

One of the things that make home-made crafts so special is the detailing.

Even if you are following a purchased pattern, the way you finish things off can make them individual or personal.

One way of detailing a craft project is to use a cord woven from colours to match the project.

These cords can also be used "as is", as bracelets or necklaces, or simply tied to things to add interest.

Step 1: The weaving disc.

All you need to weave your cord is a roughly-circular piece of card a couple of inches across.

Poke a hole in the middle, about quarter of an inch across (pencil-width is fine), and cut eight slots evenly around the edge of the card.

You may also find it easier to manipulate the cord in you cut a tiny V-shaped notch at the end of each slot.

It doesn't have to be an exact size, or an exact shape, so you can knock one together from any scrap card you have lying around.

Comments

[AUG-5OM3]

It turned out very nice. i''m currently making a new one with the double amount of cord, to make it somewhat thicker.

[Kiteman]

:-)

[AUG-5OM3]

I love it. When i'm finished i'll post a pic.

[Kiteman]

Cool, thanks.

[quixoticgeek]

Is there a proper name for this type of loom?

J

[seaspritejewels]

It is a Kumihimo wheel, most are made of foam and sell for about $4-$8 at bead stores or on line

[Kiteman]

"Kumihimo"?

Kind of an odd name for a medieval European craft...

[seaspritejewels]

It is from Japan. It is also used for freindship bracelets. I just bought on at Joann fabrics in the kids craft section, it came with plastic laces to make lanyards. I use mine to to make beaded braids for jewelry.
try tonercrafts.com

[Kiteman]

I was being sarcastic - the foam version may be Japanese, but the wooden version isn't, so will not share the name, no matter the physical similarities.

[AidanG]

The wooden version is Japanese too. At least, it was used in Japan. The disk is fairly recent, no doubt inspired by tablet weaving. There's a wooden table used with kumihimo traditionally, a marudai.

The thing with this stuff is that everyone figured it out. Tablet weaving, for example, spans from Gaul to Egypt and everywhere in between. I would not be surprised if this kind of braiding was fairly universal (like dumplings or noodles) as well.

[Kiteman]

I tend to just call it a braiding loom.

If you want one that will last longer than a scrap of card, you can make one from wood, following this other instructable.

[NatureBoom21]

i absolutely love this, except for the ugly ending knots >_<

[seaspritejewels]

you can get a nice finish to this bracelet by starting it out on a solid or double junp ring and finishing it the same way and then adding a smal clasp or lobster claw clasp to the jumpring

[Kiteman]

You can use beads instead, if you want.

[SirBrittanicvs]

Any idea what the multiplier should be for longer strands?

i.e.: Amount of string = x final length

[seaspritejewels]

3 time the finished lenght is adverage

[Kiteman]

If you're using the same colour for all your strands, you need about 65 feet of string to make a six-foot length of braid for your sling.

[kaylaangelkisses]

that about 6 feet and one sithed for one foot,if you want to be tecnecal

[kaylaangelkisses]

right now i am working on a 8 cord,bt i am going to try it soon=D

[papertabby]

Great instructable. I made a bunch of the cording disks from a gallon water jug, and I've already taught several people how to do this since trying it for the first time Saturday. Have you tried it using 1/8" ribbon? Just about perfect for making custom shoelaces!

[controlledwrinkles]

For making shoelaces, a Lucet would be better and stronger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh3l85F9LAE the great thing about Lucets is that you can cut them to any length and they won't unravel.

[Kiteman]

Sounds good - have you got a picture of the "laces"?

[papertabby]

I didn't think to take a pic of the pair I made - they unraveled anyway, 'cause I haven't figured out how to make small enough ends to go through the eyelets that won't come apart. I'll post when I figure it out, though!

[cupojoe999]

if you have not found out how yet, you may want to try using heat shrink tubing, on the ends.

[lint66]

Here is the one i made

[greenmona011]

i REALLY like the patter on yours. How many strings of each color did you use?

[Kiteman]

Very nice!

[Shabona76]

How long should I make each strand if I am making a lanyard?

[Kiteman]

Add about a half to the length you want.

If you want a 20 inch lanyard, start with one piece 30 inches long, and three pieces 60 inches long, folded in half.

[Trebawa]

This is interesting!  It looks to be very closely related to kumihimo.

[rockgod57]

oh and btw i dont get what youre sayin bout the whole thing with 7x  around a foot (im tryin to make a bracelet

[BEAST14]

I'm thinking about making a giant one out of rope but...I havent decided if I should...

[gizmology]

NO!!! You shouldn't do it! DON"T DO IT!!!! America is not ready for a giant one made out of rope!!!!

[Kiteman]

Go for it! Take lots of photos, post your own project!

[rockgod57]

no way it would be uber hard and theres like no need for it

[SirBrittanicvs]

This is exactly what I was looking for! Gonna make a sling outta this. :)

[lozartist]

I'm hoping I'm not the first one to get the Discworld reference. That would make me sad. But I'm always looking for a new way to tie string in knots. Awesome.

[Kiteman]

I'm a fan (I have all his books, most signed), but I don't recall putting a DW reference in this...?

[lozartist]

Turnwise and widdershins. Step 3. And I am jealous of the signed books. I have most of his books and am currently reading Unseen Academicals.

[Kiteman]

Goodness me... would you believe me if I said I actually use those words for real?