How to Braid Silk Ribbon
Japanese Kumihimo, the art of silk braiding, is an art with a long tradition. Silk braiding is something that is used in the creation of ornaments for carts used for festivals, for ceremonies, belts for kimonos and other applications. A modern use of Kumihimo, according to "Japanese Kumihimo, the Art of Silk Braiding" is to fasten cell phones to the user's belt. Braiding with silk ribbons is something you can do yourself. With practice, you will be able to create more complicated braids and designs and find new ways of using this beautiful art form.
Instructions
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Preparation
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1
Decide on the length of the braid you wish to create, then cut eight silk ribbons that are twice that length.
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2
Fold each ribbon in half, so you will now have 16 ribbons to work with when you create a braid of silk ribbons.
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3
Pick each ribbon and hold them at the center point (where they are folded in half). Tie a ribbon around all the ribbons at this center point.
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4
Pick up the disk. Push the knot through the hole in the center of the disk so that it is hidden from view. Arrange the ribbons that remain on top of the disk so that you have four ribbons in each of the four slots that are cut at the top, bottom and each mid point of the disk--similar to the four points of a compass (except there are four slots at North, four slots at East, four at South and four at West). Even though the disk is slotted all the way around, try to center the four ribbons as much as you can at the top, bottom and each side.
Braid the Silk Ribbons
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5
Start the braid with the lower left-hand ribbon (at the South position). Gently take it from its slot and pull it straight up, then fit it into the slot that is to the left of the left-hand ribbon in the North position.
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6
Grasp the right-hand ribbon in the North position, take it from its slot and slip it into the bottom slot to the right of the right-hand ribbon in the South position.
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7
Turn the disk so that the ribbons that were in the West position are now in the North position.
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8
Repeat the process, turning the disk clockwise each time until you have braided your entire length of ribbon.
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9
Finish braiding silk ribbons by pulling the know from the disk and tying a knot on the end of the braid to keep it from unraveling.
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Tips & Warnings
Experiment with different kinds of ribbon that vary in texture and not just color. You will find that you can add interest to your braids.
