“Silken Waves” Braided Choker

Photographed in Colour Streams Exotic Lights No: 38 - “Ocean Blue” Get it HERE 

FINISHED LENGTH of Braid:          45 cm

GETTING READY:

2 x 8mtr Skeins Exotic Lights Silk Thread

1 x Pendant that will fit over the braid

1 pair End Caps with matching clasp             

Kumihimo Disc

20cm “scrappy piece” of yarn used to tie silk threads at the start

Clear Craft Glue

TECHNIQUES:

This “Round 8” braid can be found in several books on Japanese Braiding, however the terminology differs

in each book.  The Japanese name “Kongo” means hard or strong braid.

GETTING SET:

      1.  Carefully undo each skein and cut in half to give 4 single lengths.

      2.  Fold each of these in half to give 4 double strands.

      3.  Find the midpoint and tie with the “little scrappy piece” as shown.

POSITION THE THREADS READY FOR BRAIDING:

1.  Position the tie over the centre hole and carefully slot the threads into the starting position as on the diagram. 

2.  Place one warp on either side of the dots at North, South, East and West. 

Note:  You will need to keep hold of the tie so you don't pull the warps off centre.

Note:  It is really not necessary to use bobbins for this braid, as the warps are only 1 meter long.

           Simply run your fingers through the threads from time to time during braiding to prevent tangling.

LET'S GO:

1.  Start with the warp at position 1 on the disc (North).  Move it directly down to position 15 on the Right of the warps at South, or the bottom of the disc.    

(Right comes toward you) 

2.  Take the warp at position 17 and move it directly up to position 31on the Left of the warp at North, or the top of the disc.  (Left goes away) 

3.  Turn the disc anticlockwise to the next pair of threads.

4.  Move the warp at position 9 at the top of the disc, directly down to position 23 at the bottom of the disc.

5.  Move the warp at position 25 directly up to position 7

at the top of the disc.

6.  Turn the disc anticlockwise to the next pair of threads.

      7.    Continue braiding, turning the disc anticlockwise and bringing the Right warp towards you and

             taking the Left warp away.  

Tip:  Now forget about the numbers, just follow the chant “Right comes, Left goes.”

REMOVE THE BRAID FROM THE DISC & ATTACH THE END CAPS:

      1.    Hold the braid close to the underside of the disc & remove the warps from the disc.

      2.    Tie a short length of beading thread around the braid.

             Whip it around the braid several times and tie securely.

      3.    Trim off all the excess threads close to the whipping. 

      4.    Apply a small amount of clear craft glue to this end of the braid.

      5.    Push the end into the End Cap.

Tip:  Fit your pendant before adding the second End Cap.  It will be easy to slide on from the start end by pulling the “little scrappy piece” through the hole and easing the pendant along the braid.

      6.    Remove the “little scrappy piece” from the start end, apply some glue and fit the other End Cap.

      7.    Put aside to dry.

Your necklace is complete & ready to wear – enjoy!

All images and patterns are copyright of Braid & Bead Studio 2010.
All prices are in Australian Dollars and include GST.
Braid and Bead Studio: Brisbane Australia (ABN 90 816 914 870)