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Go to original (Java) version of Kongoh-gumi (Friendship Bracelets)
About the braid
Kongoh gumi braids are probably the first kumihimo braid people come across. This is a Z-spiral kongoh gumi – the Friendship Bracelet kits I have seen come with instructions for making this form, so I tend to think of it as the “normal” form. It is very easy to make this braid on a kumihimo disk (also called a Friendship Wheel).
This braid gives a rectangular area for design which repeats spiralling up the braid (the S-spiral goes round the opposite direction). The braid is round and solid; the Japanese name, Kongoh gumi, means hard round, which is a good description of the braid.
On a kumihimo disk, the movement sequence is very simple (2 thread moves and a turn of the disk repeated) and the flexibility of the design makes it popular for friendship bracelets. This is probably why it is the one we have seen in kits such as the “Friendship Wheel.” We have managed to make a 32 thread version on our disk, but unless you are experienced with making this braid, we recommend that you don’t use more than 24 threads.
We have more information about this braid on our Kongoh Gumi page.
We have some other kongoh-gumi braids available - the technique is the same, but the groups are different sizes.
- An 18-thread braid in groups of 3
- A 10 thread braid, all the groups are different sizes
- A 25 thread braid with slight ridges spiralling around the braid
- Another 25 thread braid, with a loose spiral shape along the braid length
- Choose your own group size
How to use the designer
Use the colour picker to choose your thread colour. If you use it on the braid, it will be added to your colour list so you can easily choose it again. Click on the thread you want to colour in the braid diagram.
Some braids allow you to change the number of threads. If available, you can use the "+" and "-" buttons to change the number of threads - active internet connection required.
Go to original (Java) version of Kongoh-gumi (Friendship Bracelets)
- This braid comes with some kumihimo disk packs and Friendship bracelet kits. It is also found in lots of kumihimo books.