Improvising Bobbins!

I have been scratching around in my STUFF and came across these yarn holders which may make suitable bobbins for use on me Chinese braiding stand.

Next a trip to the fishing shop near the beach to buy weights and the inevitable question "What are you doing?". When I try to explain to the man behind the counter he suddenly becomes enlightened "Oh you must be one of the knitting and sewing brigade!" Mystery solved!!

A Braiding Diversion!

My Chinese braiding stand has been  begging to be used since the Manchester conference which was some 8 months ago! A request to talk at the local Embroiderers Guild about my braiding trip to the U.K. has meant the stand has finally won and I am getting it ready for ACTION! Now I'm on a quest to find something I can improvise for bobbins - watch this space!

Splitting Braids

I am enjoying the challenge of making split braids on the round Disk and so set out to make a version of the traditional charm bracelet.
My first attempt (top bracelet) was not wholly successful as the split braids holding the charms stuck out like the branches of a tree!
For the second bracelet I changed the yarn from cotton to bamboo which gave more drape - a valuable lesson learnt!

What a Difference a Day Makes!

My enquiries for better quality fittings resulted in a REAL find of a place where I was treated like royalty while I selected sterling silver and beads and clasps. RESULT - a special gift for a special friend.

I am still working with the double knitting cotton as I can use a single thread in each slot. The outside of the braid has a uniform, smooth, outside edge as seen in the braid on the right.
A more textured effect is achieved by adding, in this case, a waxed beading thread to the brown double knitting cotton and so working with two threads in each of the four slots. 

The completed bracelets - smooth sided on the left and textured on the right. Sorry about the cheap fittingd but it's all that is available!

A Change is as Good as a Rest!

So where have I been braiding this month?

I have been out buying MORE yarn and came away from the shop with a bag of SCRUMPTIOUS colours! The 'VINNIS colours' range  are hand dyed in South Africa and as always it is good to try and use what is available locally.  The cotton yarn works up firmly and is easy for beginners to work with while the bamboo is softer and has a wonderful sheen to it.

The final result - a beaded bracelet! Well worth the effort?

Two braids worked simultaneously and interlinked with round beads. Trial and error is the only way to arrive at the correct length of braid required for the size of the beads. After that, counting the number of movements is essential so that both braids end up the same length!

Using a different colour thread for each of the 4 slot braids helps. A useful tip is to cut a circle of thin white card and place this over the Disc, covering the threads not in use. In this way you only see the threads you are working with - clever?

It's not as easy making two braids simultaneously on the Disc as on the traditional Marudai!

Have braiding disc will travel - this month to Scottburgh beach! Now the holidaymakers have left it's the perfect place to while away the time. Rounded off with a very unhealthy burger and chips and a more healthy bracing walk. Life is good!

I've had lots of fun tying these Chinese buttons thanks to Mr. Ashley! Now this could be wound several times round the wrist for a bracelet or worn singly round the neck. Individual 'buttons' make great earrings and a small length with 'button' and loop an unusual finger ring! So simple and yet so many possibilities!

In my quest for different hand made closures for the bracelets the first place I turn to is, as always, 'The Ashley Book of Knots'. This much used copy has been my companion since 1974 and is a wealth of information. The sort of book that never goes back on the bookshelf and gives so much joy with the turn of every page!! Simple pleasures?

3 completed bracelets all showing different braids and closures. An ideal class with students able to complete an item in a morning? - well, maybe! Now on a mission to work more!

Beads really do combine so well with Kumihimo! I am still looking for alternative types of closures particularly those that can be made without needing to have done a course in jewellery making!

Yes, I have been sidetracked for a day as I search for suitable beads for my third bracelet. Hauling out all my boxes of beads and going through them takes TIME because you have to admire different colours and various finishes not to mention the reverence that has to be given to the memories from whence the beads came. SIMPLE pleasures but oh so important to the creative process!

It appears I'm not the only one braiding every day. As I look out into my neighbours' garden the Weaver birds are also joining in the FUN!

Two sample bracelets completed! Not many good quality fittings to be had so the sliding knot , now learnt, is a useful alternative. Definitely a worthwhile few days.

Two braids ready to become bracelets. Now what to do with all those ends? Will investigate how to make a sliding knot and also raid my box of fittings. Hopefully a 'Braided Bracelets ' class in the making

I love the portability of the Hamanaka Disk which goes with me everywhere -  housed in its beautiful Japanese silk drawstring bag - a simple delight! I braid everywhere!

Inspired by Phil and 'The Happiness Project' the challenge of a personal BLOG!
Errol Pires said to me to "braid every day". I have braided for the first two days of the year. Let's see where I end up at the end of 2013.