Japanese Braiding: The Art of Kumihimo (Beginner's Guide to Needlecrafts)

I recommend this book for beginners and those who are moderately advanced in the art of kumihimo. Clear instructions are written and accompanied by illustrations that make the process fully understandable. The binding of the book allows the book to be opened flat to allow viewing while working. Includes instructions for six patterns of braid as well as suggestions for using braid.

This book is very well made. Step-by-step pictures and well-designed diagrams complement the clearly articulated instructions, and the format lends itself to quickly moving beyond the material in the book and towards personal experimentation. I also really like the spiral-bound format, built to lay flat on any page and allowing you to practice this craft with the book open at your side.

It's an easy introduction to start in the kumihimo work. The quality of the book is very good, nice illustrations and easy explanations.

Found this quite useful in learning the technique to make a few items, as a beginner. Have already tried three of the braid types included. Have used more of the book than expected. The book uses silk or an imitation silk called Biron in the projects, and mostly in 20 strand warps. Have adapted to using 3-ply S-Lon #18 (nylon) for some much finer items. This tends to produce a braid that is not quite as smooth though acceptable. One other comment is that the book is based on using the professional marudai or loom for the projects. Have adapted the technique to using one of the foam kumihimo disks. The marudai would probably allow you to work about twice as fast since you can use both hands at once on the braid itself, and would probably give the best result possible because of the more consistent tension inherent in it's use. It's definitely the tool to use if you plan on making this a serious hobby or being a professional. With the disk, one hand has to hold it and that slows things considerably. One plus with a disk is portability. Am finding that the disk rate is maybe 4-6" of braid per hour, considering myself an average worker. After using this book, can appreciate how braids turned into bracelets or necklaces and other items can produce unique and valuable pieces. It's very useful that in a given braid, the author shows different starting colors and positions, and photos of what the finished product will look like.

a good basic reference but nothing spectacular. OK for the price, and easy to use as a quick "technical ref", but not "ground breaking".

A lot of thought went into this book! Great for beginners and intermediate Kumihimo enthusiasts.

The photographs are precisely helpful; the directions are clear and easy to follow, and the sprial notebook makes it easy to flip to the different steps; and because everything is in color the patterns are inspiring; and best of all it includes a photo and list of all the equipment needed for braiding.

I've seen my daughter create these sorts of braids before (did not know at the time it was a Japanese braiding technique), but I had no idea there were so many patterns and variations. This is a great book as a reference - lots of patterns and ideas and enough breadth to help you go create your own designs.