Getting my children, and their friends, into yarn crafts is one my primary missions as a mother. Last Summer the children and I learned to do a 7 strand Kumihimo braid on a homemade cardboard disc. Given my extensive DK weight acrylic yarn stash this was a cheap and easy playdate activity. However, the cardboard was really only good for one braid. Curious to try out other Kumihimo braids I went searching for budget friendly sturdier alternatives and discovered the Trollen Wheels at burntstuff. In no time at all I had a pair of laser cut wooden discs, one with eight slots and the other with 32.
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There are several good videos for the 7 strand Kumihimo or ‘fill the gap’ braid including this favourite from Red Ted Art – Easy Friendship Bracelets with Cardboard
Cut 7 strands of yarn to a length roughly 3 times that of the desired finished braid.
Tie them together near to one end with an overhand knot.
Push the knot through the hole then fill 7 of the 8 slots (or every 4th slot in the 32 slot disc leaving one space empty).
*Turn the disc so the empty space is facing you.
Counting clockwise, take the 3rd strand from the empty slot and move it to the empty space.*
Repeat until yarn is nearly used up or braid is desired length.
Remove yarns from disc and tie knot in end.
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It’s half term here this week so we’ll be taking our wheels out and about and hopefully learning new braids on the 32 slot wheel.