Brandon G
@brg-kumihimo.bsky.social
My posts are mostly related to Japanese braiding (kumihimo). Live in Minnesota.
32-element Kara-kumi braid in rayon. There are 8 elements each of purple, blue, yellow, and orange. I used 70g tama and 40% counterweight. This is an expansion of the 24-element braid #104 in Makiko Tada’s Comprehensive Treatise of Braids, Volume 1 (marudai braids).
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
February 5, 2026 at 3:10 AM
32-element Kara-kumi braid in rayon. There are 8 elements each of purple, blue, yellow, and orange. I used 70g tama and 40% counterweight. This is an expansion of the 24-element braid #104 in Makiko Tada’s Comprehensive Treatise of Braids, Volume 1 (marudai braids).
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
Kiku-kara 1 from Tada’s CTB1 (Braid #82). A 16-element braid done in all one color of rayon (royal blue Robison-Anton) using 70g tama and 40% counterweight.
This braid would normally have a “good” side and a “bad” side - but both sides look interesting to me in a single color!
#kumihimo
This braid would normally have a “good” side and a “bad” side - but both sides look interesting to me in a single color!
#kumihimo
January 19, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Kiku-kara 1 from Tada’s CTB1 (Braid #82). A 16-element braid done in all one color of rayon (royal blue Robison-Anton) using 70g tama and 40% counterweight.
This braid would normally have a “good” side and a “bad” side - but both sides look interesting to me in a single color!
#kumihimo
This braid would normally have a “good” side and a “bad” side - but both sides look interesting to me in a single color!
#kumihimo
A 24-element masu-gumi braid. All of the elements are made up of many strands of fine spun silk: silver and 3 shades of purple. I used 70g tama and 40% counterweight.
Some different braid structures will be coming soon - I’m just in love with masu-gumi at the moment!
#kumihimo
Some different braid structures will be coming soon - I’m just in love with masu-gumi at the moment!
#kumihimo
January 18, 2026 at 3:40 PM
A 24-element masu-gumi braid. All of the elements are made up of many strands of fine spun silk: silver and 3 shades of purple. I used 70g tama and 40% counterweight.
Some different braid structures will be coming soon - I’m just in love with masu-gumi at the moment!
#kumihimo
Some different braid structures will be coming soon - I’m just in love with masu-gumi at the moment!
#kumihimo
Some new fibers! This is a very fine yarn (120/2) - a blend of baby alpaca and silk. I used 20 ends (strands) per each of 8 elements (see picture with pen for reference). While somewhat “fuzzy” on its own - when braided it looks very nice! This braid is Yatsu-se, 250g tama and 40% cw.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
January 8, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Some new fibers! This is a very fine yarn (120/2) - a blend of baby alpaca and silk. I used 20 ends (strands) per each of 8 elements (see picture with pen for reference). While somewhat “fuzzy” on its own - when braided it looks very nice! This braid is Yatsu-se, 250g tama and 40% cw.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
This is a 24-element Masu-gumi in plied yarn. The yarn is 100% rayon except the purple which is 75% rayon/25% nylon. This is braid #107 in Makiko Tada’s Comprehensive Treatise of Braids Volume 1. I used 85g tama and 40% counterweight. I really like the sheen of this fiber
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
January 6, 2026 at 8:37 PM
This is a 24-element Masu-gumi in plied yarn. The yarn is 100% rayon except the purple which is 75% rayon/25% nylon. This is braid #107 in Makiko Tada’s Comprehensive Treatise of Braids Volume 1. I used 85g tama and 40% counterweight. I really like the sheen of this fiber
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
A 16-element yurugi braid. The yarn is 6/1 linen, 4 strands per each of the 16 braiding elements. There are 8 navy elements and 8 terra cotta elements.
I used 70g tama and 35% counterweight. I use a lower counterweight % because linen is quite stiff and I wanted a tight final braid.
#kumihimo
I used 70g tama and 35% counterweight. I use a lower counterweight % because linen is quite stiff and I wanted a tight final braid.
#kumihimo
December 30, 2025 at 7:18 PM
A 16-element yurugi braid. The yarn is 6/1 linen, 4 strands per each of the 16 braiding elements. There are 8 navy elements and 8 terra cotta elements.
I used 70g tama and 35% counterweight. I use a lower counterweight % because linen is quite stiff and I wanted a tight final braid.
#kumihimo
I used 70g tama and 35% counterweight. I use a lower counterweight % because linen is quite stiff and I wanted a tight final braid.
#kumihimo
I worked up another 16-element yurugi braid in a variegated yarn. Same setup and tama weights as the purple, pink, yellow, and orange braid - but a slightly different color layout. Both are pictured side by side below. The yarn is Caron All Day Cotton in a colorway named Starling.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
December 19, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I worked up another 16-element yurugi braid in a variegated yarn. Same setup and tama weights as the purple, pink, yellow, and orange braid - but a slightly different color layout. Both are pictured side by side below. The yarn is Caron All Day Cotton in a colorway named Starling.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
16-element kanmuriuchi (aka yurugi, braid #72 from Makiko Tada’s CTB1). This is a cool braid because both sides are interesting and quite different. 70g tama 40% counterweight; 4 elements each of 4 different colors of mercerized 100% cotton yarn.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
December 11, 2025 at 4:32 AM
16-element kanmuriuchi (aka yurugi, braid #72 from Makiko Tada’s CTB1). This is a cool braid because both sides are interesting and quite different. 70g tama 40% counterweight; 4 elements each of 4 different colors of mercerized 100% cotton yarn.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
16-element Kata-sasanami (braid #76 in Tada’s CTB1) in variegated mercerized cotton yarn. I did 4 color-aligned elements in each of the 4 main colors of the yarn. I used 70g tama and 40% counterweight. You can see how the variegated yarn shifts throughout the braid.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
December 10, 2025 at 12:07 AM
16-element Kata-sasanami (braid #76 in Tada’s CTB1) in variegated mercerized cotton yarn. I did 4 color-aligned elements in each of the 4 main colors of the yarn. I used 70g tama and 40% counterweight. You can see how the variegated yarn shifts throughout the braid.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
This is braid #107 from Makiko Tada’s Comprehensive Treatise of Braids Volume 1. It is a 24-element braid called masu-gumi completed in 5 gradient colors of 100% mercerized cotton yarn. I used 70g tama and 40% counterweight. Such a fun braid!
#kumihiml
#kumihiml
December 4, 2025 at 1:49 AM
This is braid #107 from Makiko Tada’s Comprehensive Treatise of Braids Volume 1. It is a 24-element braid called masu-gumi completed in 5 gradient colors of 100% mercerized cotton yarn. I used 70g tama and 40% counterweight. Such a fun braid!
#kumihiml
#kumihiml
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
I started this 20-element Masu-gumi in rayon thread. I’m really enjoying this particular braiding structure!
#kumihimo
I started this 20-element Masu-gumi in rayon thread. I’m really enjoying this particular braiding structure!
#kumihimo
November 27, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
I started this 20-element Masu-gumi in rayon thread. I’m really enjoying this particular braiding structure!
#kumihimo
I started this 20-element Masu-gumi in rayon thread. I’m really enjoying this particular braiding structure!
#kumihimo
24-element braid called “Masu-gumi” (braid 107 in Makiko Tada’s Comprehensive Treatise of Braids Volume 1).
I used 100g tama, 44% counterweight, and 100% cotton yarn. Very happy with this braid!
#kumihimo
I used 100g tama, 44% counterweight, and 100% cotton yarn. Very happy with this braid!
#kumihimo
November 24, 2025 at 12:17 AM
24-element braid called “Masu-gumi” (braid 107 in Makiko Tada’s Comprehensive Treatise of Braids Volume 1).
I used 100g tama, 44% counterweight, and 100% cotton yarn. Very happy with this braid!
#kumihimo
I used 100g tama, 44% counterweight, and 100% cotton yarn. Very happy with this braid!
#kumihimo
A new experiment. Not a braid from a specific book, but I was tinkering around and liked this braid. It is 24-elements of 100% cotton yarn, related to sasanami. I will post more later when I experiment a bit more.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
November 21, 2025 at 12:53 AM
A new experiment. Not a braid from a specific book, but I was tinkering around and liked this braid. It is 24-elements of 100% cotton yarn, related to sasanami. I will post more later when I experiment a bit more.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
Three 28-element braids adapted from Makiko Tada’s CTB1. The structures are Kotoji (the y-shaped purple pattern), Kara-kumi (purple outlined diamonds), and Kiku-Kara (rounder “chrysanthemum” pattern). All are closely related to sasanami. I used 70g tama and 40% cw, all silk yarns.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
November 16, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Three 28-element braids adapted from Makiko Tada’s CTB1. The structures are Kotoji (the y-shaped purple pattern), Kara-kumi (purple outlined diamonds), and Kiku-Kara (rounder “chrysanthemum” pattern). All are closely related to sasanami. I used 70g tama and 40% cw, all silk yarns.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
Here is a 20-element Kara-kumi braid in various silk yarns. I used 8 elements of a shaded purple yarn (KnitAntics, purple people eater), 8 elements of a matte black yarn (Merinangora Filati), and 4 elements of a plied gold silk yarn (Scalamandre). I used 70g tama and 40% counterweight.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
November 7, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Here is a 20-element Kara-kumi braid in various silk yarns. I used 8 elements of a shaded purple yarn (KnitAntics, purple people eater), 8 elements of a matte black yarn (Merinangora Filati), and 4 elements of a plied gold silk yarn (Scalamandre). I used 70g tama and 40% counterweight.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
Another 20-element Kyo-Kara - this time in linen. I used my new linen yarns in colors of terracotta (8), navy (4), ochre (4), and black (4). I used 85g tama and 40% counterweight.
I haven’t used my purpleheart wood marudai for a while - so the color of the wood is also gorgeous! 😎
#kumihimo
I haven’t used my purpleheart wood marudai for a while - so the color of the wood is also gorgeous! 😎
#kumihimo
October 24, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Another 20-element Kyo-Kara - this time in linen. I used my new linen yarns in colors of terracotta (8), navy (4), ochre (4), and black (4). I used 85g tama and 40% counterweight.
I haven’t used my purpleheart wood marudai for a while - so the color of the wood is also gorgeous! 😎
#kumihimo
I haven’t used my purpleheart wood marudai for a while - so the color of the wood is also gorgeous! 😎
#kumihimo
20-element Kyo-Kara. Each element is 10 strands of weight 40 rayon thread.
The colors are platinum (4), turquoise (4), green (4), and deep purple (8).
I used 100g tama and 40% counterweight. The braid is from “Kumihimo: the Essence of Japanese Braiding” by Saiko and Tada (2004).
#kumihimo
The colors are platinum (4), turquoise (4), green (4), and deep purple (8).
I used 100g tama and 40% counterweight. The braid is from “Kumihimo: the Essence of Japanese Braiding” by Saiko and Tada (2004).
#kumihimo
October 22, 2025 at 10:27 PM
20-element Kyo-Kara. Each element is 10 strands of weight 40 rayon thread.
The colors are platinum (4), turquoise (4), green (4), and deep purple (8).
I used 100g tama and 40% counterweight. The braid is from “Kumihimo: the Essence of Japanese Braiding” by Saiko and Tada (2004).
#kumihimo
The colors are platinum (4), turquoise (4), green (4), and deep purple (8).
I used 100g tama and 40% counterweight. The braid is from “Kumihimo: the Essence of Japanese Braiding” by Saiko and Tada (2004).
#kumihimo
I added 4 gold elements into the mix and switched over to Kyo-Kara. The yarn is a bit fuzzy - but it looks super in person. I’ll try to capture it better when finished.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
October 12, 2025 at 11:26 PM
I added 4 gold elements into the mix and switched over to Kyo-Kara. The yarn is a bit fuzzy - but it looks super in person. I’ll try to capture it better when finished.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
16-element oimatsu (old pine tree). 8 elements of black, 4 of peacock, and 4 of royal purple. All are silk. This is a nice tight round braid with a knobby surface. Hard to capture with these dark jewel tone colors, but hopefully you can see a bit. 70g tama and 42% counterweight.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
October 12, 2025 at 12:33 AM
16-element oimatsu (old pine tree). 8 elements of black, 4 of peacock, and 4 of royal purple. All are silk. This is a nice tight round braid with a knobby surface. Hard to capture with these dark jewel tone colors, but hopefully you can see a bit. 70g tama and 42% counterweight.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
24-element Hira-genji in Knit Picks Luminance silk yarn in gold (12) and royal purple (12). I used 2 strands of yarn for each of the 24 elements, 70g tama, and 40% counterweight. This variant has a contrasting color (gold) that changes positions as you braid & makes a diamond pattern! 😎
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
October 5, 2025 at 1:41 AM
24-element Hira-genji in Knit Picks Luminance silk yarn in gold (12) and royal purple (12). I used 2 strands of yarn for each of the 24 elements, 70g tama, and 40% counterweight. This variant has a contrasting color (gold) that changes positions as you braid & makes a diamond pattern! 😎
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
A 24-element braid in silk. The 16 pink elements are one end (strand) of Scalamandre plied silk, and the 8 elements of white silk are one end (strand) of a weaving silk. This is a variant on Hira-Genji that creates the interesting leaf/floret pattern. 70g tama and 43% counterweight.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
September 26, 2025 at 8:27 PM
A 24-element braid in silk. The 16 pink elements are one end (strand) of Scalamandre plied silk, and the 8 elements of white silk are one end (strand) of a weaving silk. This is a variant on Hira-Genji that creates the interesting leaf/floret pattern. 70g tama and 43% counterweight.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
9-element shigeuchi in silk yarn (8 elements purple, 1 element sky blue). I used 100g tama and 40% counterweight. The purple yarn is hand-painted (dyed) and is called Araucania “Mana”. It has variation in the purple shading which I really like. The blue is an Italian weaving yarn.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
September 25, 2025 at 10:10 PM
9-element shigeuchi in silk yarn (8 elements purple, 1 element sky blue). I used 100g tama and 40% counterweight. The purple yarn is hand-painted (dyed) and is called Araucania “Mana”. It has variation in the purple shading which I really like. The blue is an Italian weaving yarn.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
Did a quick 8-element kongō-gumi braid in silk so that I could learn this omamori knot. It took about 3 feet of braided cord to make the knot and I still need to finish the ends with tassels.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
September 16, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Did a quick 8-element kongō-gumi braid in silk so that I could learn this omamori knot. It took about 3 feet of braided cord to make the knot and I still need to finish the ends with tassels.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
24-element Matsugae in 100% cotton. This braid is similar to Yoshiwara-tsunagi but gives an equal treatment of all three colors (with no clear background color). I used 100g tama and 45% counterweight. Shoutout to Shotaro Okuno (kumihimo.nikki on Instagram) for sharing this braid.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
September 9, 2025 at 12:14 AM
24-element Matsugae in 100% cotton. This braid is similar to Yoshiwara-tsunagi but gives an equal treatment of all three colors (with no clear background color). I used 100g tama and 45% counterweight. Shoutout to Shotaro Okuno (kumihimo.nikki on Instagram) for sharing this braid.
#kumihimo
#kumihimo
I decided on a final design for the most recent braid. The main braid can be used as a triple wrap bracelet or combined with the resin pendant component and worn as a necklace. 😎
I made the pendant with a random assortment of complimentary colored size 11 seed beads and UV-cure resin.
#kumihimo
I made the pendant with a random assortment of complimentary colored size 11 seed beads and UV-cure resin.
#kumihimo
August 31, 2025 at 4:31 PM
I decided on a final design for the most recent braid. The main braid can be used as a triple wrap bracelet or combined with the resin pendant component and worn as a necklace. 😎
I made the pendant with a random assortment of complimentary colored size 11 seed beads and UV-cure resin.
#kumihimo
I made the pendant with a random assortment of complimentary colored size 11 seed beads and UV-cure resin.
#kumihimo