Tutorial for Kumihimo Spiral Braid using Satin Cord / Rattail (Rat tail) Cord

This kumihimo spiral braid was created with 4 colors.

Kumihimo Spiral braid tutorial with satin cord ( rattail cord )

Start with 8 strands of cord, placed in the positions shown.

tutorial - Kumihimo Spiral braid with satin cord / rattail / rat tail cord

Take the bottom cord on the left and move it up to the left of the 2 cords at the top (remember - "left up")

Take the top cord on the right and move it down to the right of the remaining cord on the bottom ("rignt down")

Kumihimo Spiral braid tutorial with satin cord / rattail cord
Rotate the disk a quarter turn clockwise. ("turn")

Note - you can also go counter-clockwise if that feels more comfortable. Just pick a direction and never change it for the rest of your life!

Kumihimo Spiral braid with satin cord / rattail cord

This shows the disk after it has been rotated a quarter turn clockwise.

Tutorial for Kumihimo Spiral braid using satin cord / rattail cord

Start again with the first step - take the bottom cord on the left and move it up to the left of the top cords.

Instructions for basic kumihimo round spiral braid using satin rattail cord. Your mantra: "Left up, right down, turn" If you can remember this chant, you have it made! Start with 8 strands of cord, each a few inches longer than twice the length that you want the finished braid to be. You can use any number of colors, but the spiral pattern is the most obvious with 2 colors. The braid also looks nice with 3 or 4 colors. Tie the cords in a knot and place the knot in the hole in the middle of the disk. Place the cords in the configuration shown here. For a 2-color braid, place one color at positions A and B and the other color at C and D. For 3 or 4 colors, you will get different patterns depending on where you place the colors to begin with. Click here for information on finishing braid ends.		This kumihimo spiral braid was created with 4 colors. The braid in the picture was created with rayon satin cord (rattail cord - heavyweight #2). It makes a braid around the size of my index finger. If you use the smallest size rayon satin cord (rattail cord #0 petite), you would get a braid around the size of a pencil. The lightweight #1 rayon satin cord (rattail) would give you a braid that is a little larger than a pencil).	Click here to go to the Satin Cord Store for loads of satin cord, rattail, rat tail and silk cord, findings and beads, and tips and tutorials!

Start with 8 strands of cord, placed in the positions shown.	Take the bottom cord on the left and move it up to the left of the 2 cords at the top (remember - "left up")	Take the top cord on the right and move it down to the right of the remaining cord on the bottom ("rignt down")	Rotate the disk a quarter turn clockwise. ("turn") Note - you can also go counter-clockwise if that feels more comfortable. Just pick a direction and never change it for the rest of your life!
You have now completed every step that you need to learn to make this braid. Continue to follow the same pattern over and over again until the braid is the desired length.
This shows the disk after it has been rotated a quarter turn clockwise.	Start again with the first step - take the bottom cord on the left and move it up to the left of the top cords.	Move the top cord on the right to down to the right of the remaining bottom cord.	Rotate the disk one quarter turn clockwise again. Continue to follow the same pattern: left-up, right-down, turn.
Click here for information on finishing braid ends.