Free Design: Meadow Beaded Kumihimo Necklace

Oh wow, how we love the meadow seed bead mix! The mixture of seed beads finishes ( transparent, silver lined, rainbow) work so well at creating a light reflection variation. We put aside the need to have a colour sequence, and threaded the beads on randomly. There is something so fresh and free about not knowing how they will order themselves, and then seeing the gorgeous combinations of colours appearing as you braid!

Follow our free step by step and learn how to make your own beaded kumihimo necklace. This jewellery making project is suitable for beginners. Enjoy our free project, and fall in love with making your own jewellery! 

We chose the Meadow Size 8/0 seed bead mix, but we have plenty of other tonal seed bead mixes to choose from! 

Materials needed

50g Size 8/0 Meadow Seed Bead Mix ( SB8MXME )

8 metres of S-Lon ( SLC36 )

2 x 4mm end cap ( CEA4SP or CEB4SP )

2 x 5mm silver plated jump rings ( JR5SP )

1 x Toggle Clasp ( TOG42SP )

strong superglue ( ZAP-1 )  

Tools Required

Kumihimo Disk ( BRD )

Bobbins ( BOB1-1 )

A sharp pair of scissors ( SCIMX )

Beading Mat ( BMT-2 )

Kumihimo weight ( KW45 ),

Instructions are for 19" Necklace ( approx 18" beaded, 1 " clasp)

1. Cut eight x 1 meter lengths of S-Lon. Hold the strands together at one end and tie the strands in a knot, leaving a few cm at the knotted end.

2. Take one of your lengths of cord and thread 80 beads onto it, tie a knot at the end to prevent them from falling off. If you wish to make a bracelet, thread approx 40 beads - you can always thread more on later )

3. Move your beads up your cord near the big knot, leaving about 20cm of cord. At the other end of each of your cords, wind a bobbin on. Do not wind your beads on though. 

4. Repeat this step for all of your cords. Take your time not getting them in a tangle! 

5. With the number side of the Beads Unlimited braiding disc facing up, place the knotted end through the centre of the disc, clip on your kumihimo weight - (this will create the right tension for braiding). Hold the disc so that 32 is at the top and 16 is at the bottom.

Place a cord in between the 31 + 32

Place a cord in between the 32 + 1

Place a cord in between 7 + 8

Place a cord in between 8 + 9

Place a cord in between 15 + 16

Place a cord in between 16 + 17

Place a cord in between 23 + 24

Place a cord in between 24 + 25

( photo 1 )

6. Carefully remove the cord between 16 + 17 (bottom left) and insert it between 30 + 31 (top left) ( Picture 2 )

7. Carefully remove the cord between 1 + 32 (top right) and insert it between 14 + 15 (bottom right) (Picture 3)

8. Turn the disc anti - clockwise, so the number 8 is at the top, and number 24  (picture 4)

9.  Carefully remove the cord between 24 + 25 (bottom left) and insert it in between 6 + 7 (Picture 5).

10. Carefully remove the cord between 8 + 9 (top right) and insert it between 22 + 23 ( bottom right )

11. Repeat the braiding pattern of: bottom left to top left, top right to bottom right. Turn the disc and repeat the braiding pattern until the braid is roughly 2cm long. ( photo 6) Stop when you get to a Step 6.

12. Now you're ready to add beads. Remove the bottom left cord, slide a bead up the cord towards the braid. Tuck the bead under the cord that crosses in front of it , then place the cord in the top left slot ( picture 7 )

13. Remove the top right cord, and slide a bead up the cord towards the braid. Tuck the beads under the cord that crosses in front of it, then place the cord in the bottom right slot.

14. Turn the disc anti - clockwise 

15. Repeat steps 12, 13, 14, and watch as your beaded kumihimo braid appears on the other side of your disk! ( photo 8 ) 

16. When your braid is your required length ( remembering the end caps/ clasp add on 1" to the overall length)  continue braiding without beads for 2cm ( photo 9 )

17. Hold your braid from underneath the disc ensuring you are holding the very top of the braid securely. Very carefully release the strands from the disc. Trim your braid down so you have approx 7mm of plain braid at the end. Dap some glue inside one of your end caps and position the braid snugly inside it - ensuring all ends are neatly tucked inside the cap. Hold the braid in place until the cord ends feels secure. Wipe off any excess glue, leave over night for it to dry 

18. Repeat at the other end ( photo 10 )

19. Using chain nosed pliers, open up a jump ring , and use it to link together one half of your toggle clasp to the end loop of your cord end of the kumihimo braid, close the jump ring. Repeat at the other end, with the other half of the toggle ( picture 11 )

You're finished!