Kumiito - Braid Cord

While generally known as “kumihimo, Kumiito is a unique weaving/braiding technique that combines both Japanese braiding and Western torsion lace and is called so due to how the threads look when completed. This specific style of braiding allows the expression of various colors to help creating intricate details and patterns with each color. The equipment used to make kumiito is called a kumiito knitori which is a European weaving machine with some modifications to accommodate kumiito techniques.

The aim of kumiito is to create truly unique products that cannot be found anywhere else. This is done by starting the work from assembling the individual threads to create the yarn used to make the products. Although many will think it is difficult to create specific colors from multiple threads, this becomes much easier and predictable after going through numerous trials and errors.

Once you are familiar with threading and techniques, creating shapes and patterns from your imagination become a possibility. From simple weaving to drawing a picture or design, making new works of art and finding inspiration from the environment and people around me makes the whole process enjoyable.