Kumihimo 8 Element/Warp Kongoh Gumi Z-Spiral Instructions

The Kumihimo 8 Element/Warp Kongoh Gumi Z-Spiral Braid has many different names.  It is referred to as the basic round braid, spiral braid, round spiral braid, basic kumihimo braid and many many more. Thousands of different types of braids made on different types of dai, makeup Kumihimo Braids.  Braid shape descriptions are commonly used to describe them.  The first braid that most are familar with in Kumihimo is the 8 Element/Warp Kongoh Gumi Z-Spiral Braid.  It is also the most common braid structure that is used to create Beaded Kumihimo Braids, because the braid structure supports beads being placed on all 8 elements/warps.

Below you will find instructions to create the 8 Element/Warp Kongoh Gumi Z-Spiral on either the marudai or disk.

This diagram is the actual braid instructions for the 8 Element/Warp Kongoh Gumi Z-Spiral for the marudai.  This braid consists of 8 tama, that are moved in pairs.  There are two sequences that create this braid.  The first sequence is to move the north/south tama at the same time by moving the south left tama to the north left position, and the north right tama to the south right position.  The second sequence is to move east/west tama at the same time by moving the top west tama to the top east position and the bottom east tama to the bottom west position.  These sequences are repeated until the desired braid length is reached.

Below you will find instructions on how to create the 8 Element/Warp Kongoh Gumi Z-Spiral on the disk.

Since the development of the Kumihimo Disk, many have developed different ways to braid the 8 Element/Warp Kongoh Gumi Z-Spiral on the disk to make it easier for them.  The facts to create this braid are:  the north/south tama/bobbins are moved first, the east/west tama/bobbins are moved second, the south left cord move up, the north right cord moves down, the top west cord moves east and the east bottom cord moves west.  As long as you follow these sequences you will braid a successful 8 Element/Warp Kongoh Gumi Z-Spiral with fiber or beads.

Enjoy your braiding journey,
Deborah Shipp
DMK Artisan Jewelry