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About the braid
Hollow braids are probably the most commonly used braid in the world. They appear everywhere, from ropes to shoelaces! The pictures here show the braid both flattened and round, it will tend to flatten unless it contains some core to hold a round shape. Each view of the braid is rotated by a quarter turn so you can see how it will look from different sides, or flattened in different ways. If you come up with any great uses for this braid, even some fabulous shoe laces, send us a picture.
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.
Disk instructions
Although the instructions look complicated (there are so many diagrams) it is pretty simple. Steps 2-8 are all the same except you are working with a different group of threads each time. You know when it is time to change thread movement because there's no group of 3 (all the threads are in groups of 2 again). Steps 9-16 are almost the same as 1-8, but you are moving threads and turning the disk in the opposite direction.
When you have all the threads in pairs, it doesn't matter which pair starts at the top, just make sure you go round all the threads before you change direction.
I have tried this where instead of making groups of 3, I hold onto the first thread until I have taken the 2nd from it's slot. Although this saves some thread movement, I actually found it harder, and think the tension was poorer.
- Creative Kumihimo by Jacqui Carey (braid 16N)
- Comprehensive Treatise of Braids (vol 1 - marudai) by Makiko Tada (braid 64)