Braiding infinite patterns with Kumihimo

Every piece of clothing, every sample of fabric, every strand of yarn is part of textile's creativity, as each step to form the final textile product requires a well sketched plan and out-of-the-box ideas to ensure that it stands up to the expectations of consumers. The creativity can involve centuries-old arts borrowed from various countries. In the 21st-century corporate world, there is intense competition to establish and separate brands from the rest, and this can be attained by how well the brands use old arts in a contemporary style. The textile and fashion world has thus recreated the magic of Kumihimo art of braiding, which originated in Japan.

Kumihimo is a Japanese word for threads assembled together. In Kumihimo, the strands are interlaced to form a braid. The braids can be simple or complex as per the requirement. The contemporary Kumihimo braids are created on Kumihimo disks, unlike the conventional Kumihimo braids that were made on tools like marudai and takadai. Today, the disk used to create braids has a firm but flexible foam plastic with notches, and it can be used as a portable marudai. In fact, some weavers prefer traditional Marudai over modern disks, as disks are adaptable and affordable but not multipurpose like Marudai. The traditional Marudai can create braids that are flat, hollow, and four-sided. However, the more complicated braids that involve beads can be easily created with the help of a foam Kumihimo disk.

The reason behind the popularity of Kumihimo is that it appears complicated and flawlessly attractive, but it is easier to create amazing Kumihimo braids in no time! The Kumihimo art of braiding is considered not only beautiful but also part of Japan's heritage. The braid has become part of the fashion world as well. There are Kumihimo hatbands, decorative knotting, embellishments, belts, scarves, soft toys, cellphone holders, bags, clothing, and whatever the weavers and designers can think of. Some jewelry stores also use silk threads to make beaded bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry items with the application of Kumihimo.

Weavers also use other types of yarn apart from silk. Satin, cotton, nylon, Irish waxed linen, khaki, and anything that can be roughly classified as a yarn are used to create Kumihimo braids for various fashion products. Some weavers prefer yarns like wool of any color, type, or thickness. Wool yarn can include mohair, chenille, and more. Embroidery thread, ribbon, knitting yarn, garden twine, and various materials are also being increasingly used for braiding.

These braids are strong, so they can withstand heavy weight and can be made colorful with the use of funky vibrant threads. Originally, the braids were primarily used in Japanese samurai armor to bind together the several plates of armor. Braids were also used for some sections in everyday clothing, for the purpose of closures and ties. Obscure and complex designs are being created today by maneuvering the yarn for specific patterns. The weavers vary the sequence of threads' movements to form various patterns.