Monthly Newsletter - Issue 89                                                    January  2018

THINGS IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Downloadable PDF Patterns from What a Braid
January Kit of the Month - Lots of Pips Bracelet
20-strand "Flat" Bracelet Kit
20-strand "Round" Bracelet Kit
Kumihimo Tip - Threading Pip Beads on C-Lon Bead Cord
2019 International Conference on Kumihimo
Monthly Newsletter Archives
Kumihimo Links...

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Greetings!
Hello Braiders, 
 
Happy New Year! I hope that all of you enjoyed good times over the holidays and created fond memories. My Christmas was truly a vacation and I took time to relax and enjoy family and special friends.



The January Kit of the Month is the Lots of Pips Bracelet. This one is very easy to make and it's quick too. I have created it in 4 colorways. The backside is flat so it snugs up nicely to your wrist. 


New this year will be the much asked for Downloadable PDF Patterns. As I retire certain kits, I will make the patterns available for downloading. This is a process that takes time, as each pattern has to be re-written to stand-alone without all the kit materials. If a kit is in my current line, it will not be available as a pattern! 

Thank you to all of you for your continued support. You are keeping me very busy and I am grateful.  I wish all of you health, happiness, love, compassion and fulfillment in the New Year.

Hugs and Happy Braiding,
karen@whataknit.com
530-448-3624 

Finally! Downloadable  PDF Patterns/Tutorials from What a Braid 
Since so many of you have asked,  and for such a long time, I am SLOWLY making  SOME  patterns available for purchase and instant download
  
My selection process for downloadable patterns is based on the kits I am retiring. If a kit is still in my current offerings, it will not be available as a pattern. This is the first time I have done this in 8 years so I don't retire kits very often. 

The patterns  are not color specific. You will have to choose your own colors and this is to allow you to use your own stashes  of beads!




P.S. I am just getting started so check back. I made the two most asked for patterns available first. More to come with time. 
Lots of Pips Bracelet Kit

This bracelet is inspired by my Edge Bead Necklace kit but with "all beads". The bracelet is made up of a beaded rope of 8/0 seed beads, Pip beads on the edges and a "spine" of baubles. The side closest to your wrist is "flat" so the bracelet snugs up nicely on your wrist. The instructions are written to make a beaded section abut 7" long. You can add length by adding more beads or attaching the ends caps further out on the braided tails at the start and finish of the bracelet. You will need to size according to your wrist size so check frequently when  you are nearing the end!  There are some extra beads in the kit! Read the insert for more Sizing Tips! The kits provides a few extra beads, pips and baubles for making it longer. 
You will need:
  • Kumihimo Disk (I recommend the THICK Mini; available at www.whatabraid.com.
  • 8 Bobbins
  • Scissors
  • Tape Measure
  • Sewing Needle & Thread (to finish ends) or Fray Block or Cord Zapper
  • Glue (I like WeldBond)
You should know:
  • Kongoh Gumi or Round Braid and How to drop beads (See Kumihimo Tip #14 for a reminder;  www.whatabraid.com)
Kit Includes:
  • 1 Spool C-Lon BeadCord
  • Bauble beads
  • 8/0 Seed Beads
  • Czech Pip Beads
  • 4mm All-in-One Magnetic Clasp
  • Instructions
 
20-Strand Flat Bracelet Kit

Many of you saw this bracelet on several of the Kumihimo Facebook pages when Kristen Koziara posted her finished braids. After purchasing a kit, she stepped out on her own and tried some of her own great colors. For me, this is the icing on the cake. It really puts a smile on my face when braiders purchase one of my kits and then branch out and make their own creations. I also appreciate the shares and mentions on Facebook! Thanks so much Kristen!

This 20-strand braid is the Naiki Gumi braid structure. It is neither a flat braid nor a round braid but rather a hollow braid. The hollow braid can be flattened (like the photo above) or a core may be incorporated to create a "round" braid. The braid structure is just like the Edo-Yatsu but the Naiki has more elements! At first it looks complicated but, really, it is quite easy. With braid structures, there is a consistent pattern to the sequence of moves. Once you identify the "moves", you can just simply braid. When I teach braiding, it is my goal to create braiders that understand the braid structure and therefore don't have to rely on looking at diagrams. 

It can be made both  "
flat"
and "round" (but now you know it is really a hollow braid)!  
 
Kumihimo Rayon Gimp & Ribbon are Back in Stock
My Kumihimo Rayon Gimp and Ribbon are hand dyed and brought in from Europe. 

This is a beautiful variegated fiber that adds alot of interest to you braids. If you haven't tried it yet, I have several kits that use the KRR 
or KRG  or you can buy it separately and make beautiful braids. 
 
Pictured below are 20-strand "Round" Bracelets made with Kumihimo Rayon Ribbon. The variegated ribbon makes a gorgeous bracelet.  This is the same hollow braid described above but a core has been incorporated to make the bracelet round!

Click here for 20-strand "Round" KRR Bracelet Kits. 
 
Kumihimo Tip for Threading Pip Beads on C-Lon Bead Cord
Threading PIP Beads on C-Lon Bead Cord can be easy peasy or a bit frustrating if you don't take your time. 
 
1. If you are following the pattern in one of my kits, cut your cords accordingly and position your cords on your foam disk. 
 
2. Spread out the cord ends and apply Fray Block to each cord end. I like to dip the C-Lon into the container of Fray Block about 2 inches up the C-Lon. This takes but seconds! I use Fray Block because it dries quickly and it does not add any  thickness to the cord end. I do NOT use Finger Nail polish.

3. Let the Fray Block dry thoroughly. This is where patience comes in handy. Trust me, if you wait, it's better. I know this from experience.

4. When the cord ends feel stiff and dry, take a sharp pair of scissors and cut the C-Lon Bead Cord to a point. This will serve as a needle and you can now thread your PIP beads easily onto the C-Lon Bead Cord. 

 Always work neat and clean. Take your time. Patience is a virtue!!
 
International Conference on Kumihimo
Iga, Japan 
It's not too early to start dreaming about and saving up for Braids 2019!

OCTOBER 13 - 18, 2019 

For more information and pre-registration, that helps organizers with planning,  visit: Braids 2019

What a Knit/What a Braid Monthly Newsletters
 
Reminder....
Copyrighted patterns are not to be copied, shared electronically, given to friends or members of the guild  or used for teaching purposes 
without express consent of the author. What a Knit or What a Braid patterns are for your personal use. Feel free to sell your creations but remember to give proper credit to the D esigner.  If you decide you want to write a tutorial, 
it is not appropriate to "borrow" parts of a copyrighted pattern. Thank you.

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