Here are the kumihimo warp placements for most of the projects I've shown on JTV's Jewel School.
The projects in the first two photos illustrate items that can be made from the Kumihimo Color Suite kits. Each color suite was supplemented with extra findings, the non-seed beads, and anodized aluminum chain to finish the projects.
Most of the warp sets can be seen in the booklet that comes with JTV's basic kumihimo kit, "Kumihimo for Jewelry Designers". This book is also available for purchase on this website, just click on the "books" link.
Below: Wheatberry--Two necklaces and two bracelets. The bracelet in the center is made from size 6/o seed beads on all 8 warps strung on S-lon cord. The bracelet on the left is made from S-lon cord in Khaki with size 6/o seed beads on just one warp.
The necklace on the outside right is the same as the interior bracelet (size 6/o beads strung on S-lon on all 8 warps) and is finished with lightweight anodized aluminum chain and a gold plated toggle.
The last necklace uses a combination of 4 warps of#1 rattail in luggage and 4 warps of S-lon in khaki. Two of the S-lon warps have size 6/o seed beads on them. Following the warp set in for the Tiki God project in "Kumihimo for Jewelry Designers".
These projects were done from a Vineyard Color Suite.
Fire Polish!
As you heard on the show I'm not a great fan of wearing crystals since I find them too sharp to be confortable. So, a compromise for me is to use Fire Polished beads from Preciosa. Here are some samples made using the Jet and Jet AB fire polish in braids.
From the JTV Holiday Kit
The little bracelet below uses the metallic cords and Carolina Blue s-lon from the Holiday Kit. 56 size 8/o seed beads in Jet Lined Crystal AB are needed on each of 2 warps. Place these beaded warps in the NW and SE positions on the braiding disk. The WN position and the EN position each contain a single strand of Alexandrite metallic cord while the SW position contains a double strand of Alexandrite metallic. The NE position and the ES position each contain double strands of Silver metallic cord. The project was then finished with 3mm sterling end caps, the Elegant Elements box clasp from the Holiday Kit, and a sterling charm in the shape of a bow for the Christmas season. This charm is available for purchase, just click on the "Charms" category in my web store.
The braid for the New Year's focal piece is made from the Carolina Blue S-lon and the Alexandrite metallic cord from the kit. Start with 2 three yard pieces of s-lon and 4 three yard pieces of metallic. Fold all the cords in half and secure in the center with a piece of thread. Place one s-lon cord into the four NS positions and two pieces of metallic in each of the EW positions. Because this braid is made from very small cords it will take a longer time to make the most others. Project is finished with a handmade focal piece that was slipped onto the braid prior to addition of the 3mm end caps and a toggle.
The necklace below features the long magatamas, rattail, and s-lon from the kit. You'll need to add size 8/o seed beads, findings and some anodized aluminum chain to complete the project.
The warp set's a little complicated on this one! You'll need one 2 yard piece of silver rattail, one 2 yard piece of lavender rattail, two 3 yard pieces of Alexandrite metallic cord, and one 2 yard piece of Carolina Blue s-lon.
Using both pieces of the metallic cords as one, use a big eye needle to add 102 magatamas to the cord. Load the beads all facing in the same direction. Slide half of the beads to each end. This will reverse the direction of half of the magatamas which is what you want on this braid.
Again using a big eye needle, load 102 size 8/o seed beads (jet lined crystal AB) onto the s-lon. Slide half the beads to each end.
Fold all cords (metallic w/ beads, s-lon w/beads, and rattail) in half and secure with a piece of thread. Taking care not to pull the cords off center load the board as follows:
Both N notches = Silver Rattail
Both E notches = Lavender Rattail
The SE notch = S-lon w/beads, the SW notch = metallic with beads
The WS notch = metallic w/ beads, the WN notch = S-lon w/beads
Work about 1/4" of braid with no beads, then begin dropping beads into the braid each time you move a warp that has beads on it.
The bracelet below uses a double strand Elegant Elements clasp to hold a braid and a chain. The braid is 6 warps of silver rattail (3 one yard pieces) and 2 warps (one 45" piece) of Carolina blue s-lon with 50 magatamas (slide half the beads to each end). Fold all the cord in half, secure with a piece of threads. Place the beaded s-lon in the NW and SE positions on the board. All other warps are rattail. This braid requires a 5mm end cap.
The little bracelet below uses just s-lon and magatamas. Pull four 45" pieces of s-lon, add 60 magatamas to one piece. Slide half of the beads to each end. Fold all four cords in half, secure with a piece of thread. Place the beaded warps in the NW and SE positions. Make about 1" of braid with no beads, then begin adding beads and end with about 1" with no beads. This braid uses 3mm end caps.
This necklace reminds me of the oceanside in winter. The braid is made of rattail and metallics. The pendant slide and washer charms are added before gluing the end caps into place. Cut 2 two yard pieces of silver rattail and 1 two yard piece of lavender rattail. Cut one 3 yard piece of Alexandrite metallic. Fold all cords in half and secure in the middle with piece of thread. Put the silver rattail in all four of the EW notches. Put the lavender rattail in the NW and SE and the metallic in the NE and SW. This braid uses 4mm end caps.
The bracelet below uses 184 magatamas on the Carolina Blue s-lon loaded in the alternating position on the warps. I ended this project with about an inch and a half of size 8 seed beads so that a pendant slide with a seasonally themed charm could be added. This braid uses 3mm end caps and the Elegant Element clasp from the kit.
The Carolina Blue s-lon and the Alexandrite metallic combine to make a braid that's perfect for this cab of Mojave Purple Turquoise. Place single strands of Alexandrite metallic in the notches in the N and S positions and single strand of Carolina Blue in the E and W notches. Because of the natural brass vein in this stone I've chosen to finish it with a brass crimp-style hook and eye. Like the braid on the New Year's focal pieces, allow plenty of time to make this one. The smaller the braid, the longer it will take to complete.
