Has anyone tried Japanese Braiding? It looks like an ideal way to use the cords we can make with embroidery thread which isn't up to standard. I couldn't use my bobbin winer but we got great results with a food mixer! I've bought a loom (Ebay) and will report back how it goes.

very good! thanks Sue.

sue i have put up a post to show the braider and the end results in pictures for you

ok can i jump in and help out here?
I love braids so with that in mind i purchased a childs hair braider. the kind that you put 2.3 or four strands of hair into the loops and press a button and it twists the hair then you press another button and it will twist the strands into one braid.
copy and paste this number into E bay to see what i am talkiing about 120865068384
instead of hair i used threads and this allowes me to make them as thick as i want in whatever coloures i want.
There are so many ways to use them, IE decorative cord zigzaged in place, fasteners for purses around a button, handles for totes and so many other ways.
to use your food mixer instead you need to put one whisk in place and fasten the threads to a door handle so you can get tension then fasten the other ends of the threads to the sections on the whisk.
keep a little tension on the threads as they start to twist otherwise you will get in a mucking fuddle. you will need to fold the cord in half and let it twist back on itself. .
use wool for a thicker cord.
i hope this will help you. annie in the uk

3 comments

by spendlove 16 Apr 2012

Thanks for that Annie - can you show us a picture of the braids? Kate and I had great fun with the food mixer. You really do need two people to get the finished twist doubled without a mucking fuddle!

by eggyannie 17 Apr 2012

will do sue. i will get it out and take pics for you of it all later today

by asterixsew 17 Apr 2012

As well as food mixers I remember we have used a electic drill to wind

I have done a bit of the kumihimo, mainly the basic stitch. I have bought a couple books. The last attempt was braiding with beads. I made a lovely necklace, that needs to be finished. I find it extremely relaxing and fun. I need to post a pic of the necklace.

1 comment

by spendlove 14 Apr 2012

Please share the picture.

Are you talking about kumihimo?

1 comment

by spendlove 13 Apr 2012

Yes

They are fun to do while watching TV. I have to have my hands busy thia is easy to do. Suzanne

Here is my first effort - the tension varies a bit but I am getting better! (This isn't home-made cord, I thought I'd better start with the recommended stuff!)

1 images:[1]

NO, No more hobbies, PLEASE, no more, I can't cope, I'm going crazy here, I want to do everything, I want to try everything,,,,,, aaaaaaaaaaaarghh!!!!

Thosse men are here with the white jacket again, this time I don't think they'll let me out. Heeeeeelpppppp!

1 comment

by mariahail 13 Apr 2012

ooooooooooh no!!! they was just here...I had to hide!!!!

I did braiding many years ago,used a knitted cord I think the book was by a lady called Thompson she also done tassels,link did not work....

I went to You Tube and typed in Japanese Braiding and watched a real nice video from Red Heart Yarn. There are many videos to watch.

1 comment

by bevgrift 12 Apr 2012

Thank you>
I found some lovely demos to watch.

Haven't tried it but I believe its not to hard Like a braid with 8 cords or so and with the gadget it shows the order. I bought clovers new jewerly knitter ( like Nancy bought has interchangeable heads up to 4, 5 , 6 pegs) to make beaded purse straps and jewelry.

This was one of the stalls at the NEC that I stopped at and talked for ages. It is something that interests my husband which is why I was finding out more at the NEC

1 comment

by spendlove 12 Apr 2012

I didn't see it at all. I saw someone doing it at the weekend and I had to follow up. I have abut a 20cm length now.

Sounds interesting, But I am afraid the link did not work for me.
Hugs Bev

1 comment

by bevgrift 12 Apr 2012

I found some demos to watch.
I have plenty of yarn and crochet cotton and beads...
Will put this on my immensely long "to do" list. Thanks tons for lead.

I don't know about the food mixer Sue? I got a square plate and a round disc through Just hands on TV. Helen Deighan, the author of Beautiful Braiding Made Easy, was at the NEC as a demonstrator on stand L04. I find my hand gets sore holding the braid underneath, as described, so I'm going to try putting a little weight on the braid and holding the disc itself. (When I get round to it again) Let's know how you get on. Jan

4 comments

by spendlove 12 Apr 2012

I have a small pair of scissors hanging on mine! For the cord I used a simple hand held food mixer to do the twisting.

by janetedna 12 Apr 2012

You've still lost me with the food mixer. That sounds more like a twisted cord so a few more pics would be good if you've time. Jan

by spendlove 13 Apr 2012

It is - I'm going to make twisted cords with naff embroidery thread and then use them for the braiding!

by janetedna 13 Apr 2012

Oohhh. It all becomes clear! Jan