Kumihimo Finishing Techniques

Finishing your kumihimo designs can be a charming addition to the overall design of your braided piece. Chris walks us through 3 techniques to compliment your creations.
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[@desertrose2085]

I’m just learning Kumihimo, and have a question on technique 1. Did you say to use a head pin, or eye pin? It looks like there is neither a loop, nor a flat top to the pin. Did you hide the loop of an eye pin inside the braid, and leave the straight end sticking out? You’d have to, right, because otherwise the cap couldn’t go over an eye or a flat cap?

[@FireMountainGems]

You could use either a head pin or an eye pin. And yes, you are correct, the head would be inside the braid with the straight end sticking out, so you could add the cap.

[@JewelrybyJeanette]

Thank you so much, Chris! I tried Method #2, and it turned out beautifully.

[@FireMountainGems]

Wonderful! So happy to hear that!

[@clarylchan1002]

Thanks! A wonderful tutorial with clear explanation.

[@FireMountainGems]

You're welcome and thank you for your feedback on the video!

[@lorrainebrooks6934]

Nice video. Precise and clear.

[@FireMountainGems]

Thank you! Good to know our efforts have paid off :)

[@albaluciapinedadiaz8338]

Muy bonito pero no explica bien ,despacio,y no se ve como manipula o teje los hilos

[@willow9957]

Thanks

[@FireMountainGems]

you're quite welcome!

[@harrietrussell5470]

I want to use technique #2, but I can't wrap the cord with the wire. I've looked at it several times, but don't see how he's doing it. It looks like he makes the 90° then wraps the wire *below* it, not towards the end, which doesn't make sense, nor does it look the way it's wrapped when he adds the glue. In any case, I can't wrap it no matter which way I try it. The wire just slips around in my holding hand, and pliers get in the way!

[@FireMountainGems]

Hi there. Insert the wire through the braid, then take one end of the wire and bend it 90 degrees so that end is sticking out with the end of your piece where the ends of the cord are. Then wrap the other end of wire around the cord. After wrapping that wire a couple times, trim the wire. Then trim the ends of the cord making sure not to trim the long piece of wire and that's when you apply the adhesive and cone. Hope that helps.

[@harrietrussell5470]

@@FireMountainGems Thanks, but I may just not have the strength to do that....as I said, the wire just turns in my hand. Perhaps I'm using the wrong metal, gauge or hardness?

[@FireMountainGems]

What gauge wire are you using?

[@harrietrussell5470]

@@FireMountainGems Most of what I have is 18 ga. Some softer than others, but one is craft wire (bronze colored aluminum)and I'm not sure if the others are made for jewelry or not. None of them indicate hardness....one is just a loose roll between 18 and 20 ga - don't know where I got it. Is there a correct gauge and hardness I should be using for a fairly heavy necklace? Thanks again.

[@FireMountainGems]

@@harrietrussell5470 Typically 22 gauge half-hard wire is recommended for this type of technique. Here's a link to some fmg.co/dHgRVD . It sounds like the wire you're using is too soft.

[@maryannewatson2393]

Great tutorial I learned so much

[@FireMountainGems]

That's fantastic! Thanks for letting us know Maryanne!

[@alfkey4155]

you didn't make it how you started ,loop ,knot ,what ?????

[@FireMountainGems]

Hello there. This video is specifically on how to finish kumihimo. Here's the video we published on how to start kumihimo - the 8 cord spiral: th-cam.com/video/fOMsRL6Mhao/w-d-xo.html