How to Braid Embroidery Floss

Embroidery floss can be used for more than just embroidery.

As the name suggests, embroidery floss is generally used for embroidery. However, you can also use it for many other crafting projects. You can cut it short to make colorful hair for a doll, use it to crochet small items, and even make brightly colored bracelets and necklaces. For some projects, you may wish to braid your embroidery floss. This is a simple task that can be mastered in just a few minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Three strands of embroidery floss
• Pin
• Pincushion or similar soft but solid object
• Scissors (optional)

Instructions

1. Line up your three strands of embroidery floss so the tops are all at the same height. Holding the three strands together as if they were one, tie a knot near the top of the strands.

2. Put a pin through the knot you created and stick it firmly into a soft but solid object, such as the arm of your couch or a pincushion. If you use a pincushion or something else small, hold the object snugly between your knees. This will keep the embroidery floss tight and allow you to create a snug, tidy braid instead of a loose, sloppy one

3. Separate the three strands of floss and make sure they're straight. One should be straight down from the pin, one should be out at 45 to 90 degrees to the right, and one should be out at 45 to 90 degrees to the left.

4. Take the strand from the right and cross it over the strand in the center. After you do this, pull the center strand to where the strand on the right used to be, and leave the strand that used to be on the right where the center strand used to be.

5. Take the strand from the left and cross it over the strand now in the center. After you do this, pull the center strand to where the strand on the left used to be, and leave the strand that used to be on the left where the center strand used to be.

6. Repeat the process until you have braided a slightly longer length of embroidery floss than you need for your project. Keep the strands separated. A braid made with thicker material would not require this, but embroidery floss can easily knot and tangle if you don't separate the strands at each step.

7. Hold the three strands of embroidery floss as if they were one and tie a knot with all three of them just below where you finished the braid. Cut off any extra length of embroidery floss, if desired.

Resources

• Enchanted Learning: Crafts for Kids