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?

[Lithium Rain]

>giggles<

You have got to be lying.

[Kiteman]

Seriously, I do.  I also say twixt and tween.  It's something to do with them being actual words in the actual English language.

That, and reading a lot of fantasy novels as a boy.

[ScubaaSteeve]

Could I add beads?

[Kiteman]

Of course you can - be as creative as you like!

(Post pictures of your finished work?)

[PyroMaster007]

Hey man, thanks for the idea. My school is busy taking the Ohio Acheviment Tests, so since i finished early, i brought this with me. i made an orange and white and a black and white. Awsome idea. Everyone thinks theses are really cool, including me. Someone even offered to pay me if i made them one. Thanks!

[myth-bstr225]

 haha nice man, being a senior is so great, I don't even have to take finals and that a.c.t stuff was last year

[PyroMaster007]

i got a 25 on the act in 8th grade :)

[dobbylvr]

i hate that kinda thing, we take the ARMT (alabama reading and math test), the "SAT" (stanford achievement test), and the OLSAT ( otis lennon school ability test) every year...

[Hawkeye Lyles]

the ARMT was the worst of all

[spydog4]

not this year though!!!   i love being a freshmen!   

[dobbylvr]

woot! even though we're not at the high school :'(

[dowd95]

yeah i had to take the MAP SAT and ACT this year ugh

[lasermaster3531]

really uggggghhhh!!!!!

[geeklord]

Are those kind of like the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments(MCA's)? I hate those stupid things...

[bladebaka]

And TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) are completely stupid... im glad im done with them!

[PyroMaster007]

yes, very much like them.

[Kiteman]

Excellent!

[Carlos Marmo]

Wonderful Work! Congratulations!

[Kiteman]

Thank you!

[badhonrocks]

thans and more http://bdlinkpoint.blogspot.com/

[theque]

im a bit confused on how to actually make the loop, anyway this can be clarified?

[BEAST14]

I found this multi-colored yarn and I have to say it was a very...interesting looking bracelet....

[BEAST14]

this is an amazing instructable! I've so many of these now....thanks:)

[15zhangfra]

hey, what do you mean by a third? i'm pretty sure you mean to divide the starting length by 3 to get what your finnal cord will be, but i'm not sure

[Kiteman]

No, it means that the woven cord is a third shorter than your starting length. Start with three-foot lengths of wool, finish with a two-foot braid.

[cpate]

these are so cool I just made two from rainbow yarn

[Redgerr]

thats pretty cool, i might try and make one with wire or somthing.. i hate the feeling of yarn on my skin lol

[Kiteman]

Be sure to post pictures, and if you have to change the method to suit the materials, make sure you write your own Instructable.

[Wafflicious]

Cool! I might try to make a sling out of this.... also I like your choice of colors.(purple and gold are the school colors for my school)

[jisforjibbs]

AWESOME!

[SeaLion]

Well, you see, after some consideration, I found myself to be 'manly'...and gotten afraid...but now that I found this instructable...maybe some manliness won't kill :)

[luvit]

friendship bracelets are are loved by everyone.

[volund]

awesome, really quick and easy the way you do it. well done.

[Kiteman]

Thanks!

[kid007la]

Should the circle be the size of my wrist?

[Kiteman]

The circle doesn't control the length of the braid - that's down to the length of the yarn you use. Just make the circle the size most convenient for you to hold.

[kid007la]

thanks for your help

[MonkeyBoy3217]

Nice Job! I love your work.

[Kiteman]

Thank you!

[JonesForRevival]

Cool post! Looks like fun!

[Kiteman]

It's a nice way to while away an evening.

[insane maniac]

will the effect be the same if you use other materials, such as string, instead of yarn?

[Kiteman]

Yes - it will just end up thicker.

[insane maniac]

ok thanks

[Hoooyyat]

Thanks for the help this was an awesome instructable.

[hewhoeatsall]

I have not yet begun to work my piece, but I've a question on the material. When i think yarn, I seem to keep imagining it falling apart with constant wear. How long have your creations held together, and what would a stronger alternative be?

[hammer9876]

So much of the yarn I have is of the acrylic variety. This stuff will not rot. At least not for a long time. Cotton, on the other hand, being organic, will rot, specially if gotten wet on a regular basis. At least sooner than acrylic in the same environment. I have no experience with the durability of wool because I am allergic to it, but considering that people have been using it for centuries, I would think it would last well, too. Of course all of these can be abraded and cut to the point that it will fall apart. The beauty of is that another braid can be made so easily.

[Kiteman]

I've been making and wearing them for a couple of years, and one of my first is being used as a keyring at my school, and none of them have worn out - they tend to get grubby, but they don't wear out.

[hewhoeatsall]

Ah, alright. Thanks :)

[zero838]

im defo making this when i get some string i wanna make a lime green and aqua blue one :)

[Kiteman]

Cool - post a picture when you do.

[Rock Soldier]

another idea for a loom is a foam or paper plate for a necklace or rope.

[Maureclaire]

Cool... could do a large version too with heavy cord... make straps for purses, etc. !

[Kiteman]

Sounds good - post a picture when you do.

[NatureBoom21]

This is great! i love it.

[Kiteman]

Thank you.

[gloflyer]

Thanks. I made my disc with an empty plastic spool that my wire came on. I then cut 8 notches into the plastic with a small saw. Works great, doesn't break down, and I would have thrown out the spool anyway. Does anyone know if you can do it with more cords? Does it always have to be an uneven number of cords? I have been looking at all of the braiding instructables.

[bibliogrrl]

I used the plastic lid of a coffee can. :D

[Bright Shadow]

I used a cd. XD

[Kiteman]

I have posted an 8 strand braid on a similar (wooden) loom.

As I sit and type, I suspect it may be possible to weave a 16-strand braid by adding an extra 8-strand braid at 45^o to the other 8. This calls for experimentation...

[BWP]

hmmm 16 strand sounds interesting ... waiting to see if/when you come up with the 'ible as and when 'real life' gives you time lol. Love this one btw :o) p.s. boo ;oD

[Kiteman]

OK, it works in my head, but I may need more hands than nature gave me. Or a re-designed loom.

[gloflyer]

I can weave a type of flat braid with any number of even strands. Here is a weave with 4 pairs of copper wires. It can be finished by just folding the ends over, or with some silver end caps as shown here.

[Kiteman]

That looks good - is that from this ible?

[gloflyer]

(removed by author or community request)

[RaNDoMLeiGH]

that's my instructable. I clearly state that the weaving technique comes from that book (I think at one point it shows up in the photos). My thing was originally done as part of a recycling class, and the focus was teaching kids (and grownups) how to do interesting things with leftover stuff they might find in the garage. The most my instructable differs is that it uses hammered copper wire as the cold connectors. But it never was meant to be passed off as my original idea, just a variation. I can make loads of copies of my own writing and photos, whereas the book is copywritten, so that was my purpose.

[Kiteman]

Cool.

[Kiteman]

If it is a straight lift from a book (some of those images could be scans?), then you need to inform the Team by PM (there isn't a "flag" for plagarism).

[RaNDoMLeiGH]

nope that's my own photography! and I put it into my own words to avoid plagiarism. The original book was kind of hard to understand. Recipes can't be copywritten and neither can crafty techniques. Just altered, played with, used for inspiraton... That technique itself has been around for ages, like viking and celtic days, so it's not an infringement of the way that braid is done. So my pictures are nice enough to be considered scans? Thanks! But no, that's my manky towel, and the desk my father-in-law made, and my own crappy tools.

[gloflyer]

OK. If I could take that comment down, I would. I found my copy of the book, and those are not scans. (See other posts about the disorder and clutter in my house.) They are beautiful photographs of your own. You also added the idea of making your own square wire. I like that. I also like the fact that it was part of a recycling effort. I have been making mine with wire salvaged from the copper coil of an old electrical motor that no longer works. Just anneal it with a torch, and it is a free source of copper.

[gloflyer]

I am still new at this, but I figured out how to remove the earlier comment.

[Kiteman]

Ha, no I didn't mean that - gloflyer sort of implied your ible had copyright issues, I was just suggesting ways of checking.

[Kiteman]

...? Does the "W" stand for "Willow"?

[BWP]

Yep :o) Ah D was supposed to remind me to phone .....

[Kiteman]

I have worked out the sixteen-strand weave, just writing the ible now. It should be up by UK bedtime.

[waykaat]

I have a wood instrument that looks like a slingshot. I can't remember what it is called or how to use it but it makes cords just like the above. Can anyone help me?

[Kiteman]

It's probably a lucet.

[waykaat]

You wonderful person you! Yes, it is, and i just found a youtube video on how to use it. Thank you so much! :D

[Kiteman]

Any time.

[scafool]

Thanks to you And Waykaat I found out about what a kucet is. They look easy to make and will be something I try using.

[waykaat]

I love using my lucet. My next project is learning how to make bracelets out of the cords i make from the lucet. I also would like to figure out some more uses for the cords.

[scafool]

sorry, lucet it is, not kucet. For some reason i often type a k instead of an l. It does not look like the width of the fork and the distance to the hole are very critical in any of the pictures I saw. So I am just cutting one out of a scrap of plywood to try it out.

[waykaat]

good luck on that, definitely keep me up to date on how it works. i'm rooting for ya. ^.

[clairens]

it is funny, that I learned how to make this this summer, only without using any additional things, and with 2 strings, only using your fingers. i couldn't write down the technique, maybe I could show it, but it is not so difficult to make. but it is a good thing that it can be done this way as well, and the outcome is totally the same. i will try this method as well, for sure. thanks for posting it!

[Kiteman]

You should post it! This only shows two colours because I like those two colours - other people make every strand a different colour.

[Tesla Power]

For my "activities" period, I have to come up with ideas that promote kindness among my students. Since some of the other teachers had already done "friendship" bracelets, I didn't want to be a copy cat. So, I turned to Instructables, and there it was, like diamonds in the sky. "...Weave medieval cords....." (Cue the heavenly music please.) Ahhhhhhhhhh! The kids made better bracelets, got to know someone they would have never sat with before, and started teaching students who weren't in our class to make them. It spread like wildfire through the school. Another teacher used it in her class as well. Being able to make these from card stock paper was the key to success. Again, thank you Kiteman for your wonderful Instructable,

[Kiteman]

Cool, thanks for the big-up!

_{Prints out page, waves it at fellow staff... See? I told you!}

[Tesla Power]

Don't forget to laminate it! I'll try to post some pictures of the bracelets they made.

[zania97882]

This is very cool indeed, I have so much scrap yarn it is always cool to learn new ways to use it. I do have a suggestion: Have you ever tried using the lid of a yogurt container? I noticed that your card disc was looking a little floppy. I was just thinking that the only extra step would be to cut off the lip that holds it on. You would then proceed with the steps you provided and you wouldn't have to cut a new one till you misplaced that one, which happens to me a lot :) Keep up the great work!

[Kiteman]

Corrugated card works really well, but I had none available. If you use something sturdier than card - like the lid - you will need to cut a very narrow slot, rather than just a slit, otherwise the wool may not fit, or could even even be damaged.

[RaNDoMLeiGH]

foam core works well, and so does that crafty foam stuff (glue together a couple layers to make it thick).

[zania97882]

i wondered after I posted, whether the edges may be too sharp, But I firgured someone smart and creative could come up with a solution. maybe apply heat to the edged to smooth them or something. My knifty knitter is all plastic yarn is constantly moved over the posts, and no breakage. I am sure there is a way. something as easy as putting medical tape the white kind athleeses use. Over any rough edges.

[Awsome Fairy]

(removed by author or community request)

[Kiteman]

Please, don't spam other ibles.

[SFHandyman]

This is great. I've always wanted to try this kind of braiding, but I didn't want to spend a lot of time making a disk to braid on, use it a couple of times and then have to store it. I never thought about doing it with a cardboard disk. I'm going to try it now. Thanks (P.S. I didn't mean to copy your photo for my Finger Loop Braids - I guess we are both right handed - Put bracelet on left wrist, hold camera with right hand,...)

[Kiteman]

If you can, use corrugated card - it will last longer.

As for the photo, I hadn't even realised.

_{^{Maybe we should have flipped them in Photoshop?}}

[Very Interesting]

Great instructable!

[Kiteman]

Gosh, thank you.

[rudycoaltrain]

This is wonderful. Thank you.

[Kiteman]

You're welcome.

[blind_guardian]

hi kiteman! i have made yet another one of your magnificent creations, and still enjoy all of the creativity you put in your instructionals! keep up the good work so i can keep myself busy!

[Kiteman]

Haha, seems to be my mission in life!

[=SMART=]

wow nearly 10,000 views !! congrats Kiteman !! and all in only 5 days !

[Kiteman]

Goodness me, I hadn't realised!

[=SMART=]

:D your famous!

[Kiteman]

Not so much as others in the craft contest - the 6 cents knife has over 26,000 views.

_{^{I wonder - is the contest based on views, ratings or judged?}}

[=SMART=]

wow!! , i dont know about that you would have to read the rules !!

[Kiteman]

They don't actually say...

[Arbitror]

Nice! Another great 'ible from Kiteman!

[Kiteman]

Thank you!

[handy_man_of_the_west]

this is the type of bracelet i've been looking for, shame i don't have the patience

[Kiteman]

It doesn't take much patience - this braid took me an hour, start to finish, including taking photos, and it would have been quicker if I hadn't been watching TV at the time.

[cowscankill]

Easiest best way for me to braidish :D

[Maereta]

This is Kumihomo, a Japanese cord making art. I first learned this technique in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) and enjoy teaching it to children. Thanks so much for sharing this medieval technique for others to learn and enjoy.

[Kiteman]

It must be one of those skills that is invented and re-invented all around the world.

[Sunny124613]

this is really nice!! I like this and I am so going to make this,if I can

[HippieAdrien]

this is really cool and simple. thanks, man

[Kiteman]

You're welcome.

[lesrebnav]

hello, is it possible to use more than seven cords ? I think it's possible, I'm going to try it !!

[Paul the Mole]

This is just a normal roundplait with seven leads. The technique described here just makes it easier to hold in your hands. Many other variations are possible.

[Kiteman]

There are other weaves with more strands, but they start to turn out as tubes rather than cords.

[KentsOkay]

Pretty cool! I assume I can make this with different materials for more utilitarian purposes?

[Kiteman]

It's pretty utilitarian as it is - weaving seven strands of yarn makes a strong cord. Weaving string this way would result in, effectively, rope.

[KentsOkay]

Thanks! *suddenly occurs to him that 7 stranded cord/rope should be pretty lucky*

[canida]

Neat, and easy. Is there a name for this particular weave?

[Kiteman]

I learned it from a lady running a stall at a jousting festival, she called it "the one with seven threads". The pattern is simply down to what colour yarns start in which slots. She also showed me an eight-strand weave, but that needs more preparation, so will take longer to turn into an ible.