12 strand Ayasugi - cedar pattern

Another great class this evening!  I learned a new pattern known as 'cedar pattern' due to it's resemblance to the tree. This is my practice piece.  12 strands in four colours to highlight the pattern.  Each strand is 3 threads of cotton double knitting yarn except the black, which is 4 ply.

An unusual 12 strand pattern for the marudai but essentially straightforward and comprising alternating  two opposing diagonal moves it works up quickly.  Attention does need to be paid to the tension to keep the long stitches crisp. 

This is the colour layout for the 3 stitch pattern on the left hand side of the practice piece.  

This is the colour layout for the right hand side of the practice piece. 

Work in progress on the marudai.  A very textural braid with a diamond cross-section. I am thinking that beading might be incorporated, possibly nestling in the inner cross-section. 

Keiruko No Himo

Keiruko No Himo is a 16 tama kumihimo pattern dating from the 15th century.  This round hollow braid is worked on the marudai.

Source: Catherine Martin, Kumihimo - Japanese silk braiding techniques, basic marudai braids.  1986 Old Hall Press.

Sample braid

This is to be pattern (c) in DMC rayon embroidery thread with the main colour north and west and subsidiary colours east and south.  Each warp comprises two full strands of the embroidery thread (12 individual threads).

Warps are wound on 70gram tama with 800gram counterweight.   I have added some stones to make up the weight.

The point of braiding is really rather pretty.

I have found that it is important to get into a rythm, including the adjustment moves. Initially I adjusted the warps after both clockwise and anticlockwise moves.  Then I adjusted after both moves.  This does make a difference - the braid achieves a slightly squarer profile, I think.  

Would anyone who knows about these things care to comment?

Work in progress. 

View a tutorial video here: