Below is the actual image to make the Kongoh Gumi Z-Spiral. The following instructions will only use north, south, east and west for explanation. No slot numbers will be used because it further complicates things.
There are two steps (also called sequences or moves) to create this braid. In the first diagram it states to move the south left cord up and the north right cord down. In the second diagram, it states to move the top west cord to the top east and the bottom east cord to the bottom west. On a marudai both cords are moved at once. On a disk each step requires two movements since you can only move one cord at a time.
You may move the north right cord first or the south left cord first. It does not matter. You may rotate the disk in either direction to make the east/west moves easier. You may again move either the top west cord first or the bottom east cord first, it does not matter. You must be consistent with your moves. Steps 1 and 2 are repeated to create the braid. These instructions are the actual instructions to make this braid.
Now lets talk about movements. Above I have stated that it takes 2 movements on the disk to complete step 1 and another two movements to complete step 2, equaling a total of 4 movements.
Below is an image that hopefully will explain this further.
In this diagram, cords are placed around the marudai or disk per the diagram. To help better understand how this works, bobbins should be labeled "A" through 'H".
If you recall above, I stated it takes 4 movements to create steps 1 and 2.
At the end of 4 movements, those bobbins will be in the following position around the disk. Starting at the north left position, moving to the right: F, A, H, C, B, E, D and G
After another 4 movements, totaling 8 movements, the bobbins will be in the following positions: E, F, G, H, A, B, C and D
After another 4 movements, totaling 12 movements, the bobbins will be in the following positions: B, E, D, G, F, A, H, and C
After another 4 movements, totaling 16 movements, the bobbins will be in the following positions: A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H.
All bobbins at this point have been returned to their starting positions. Beads may be dropped at this time. However, I have found that when working with different size end caps this is not giving you enough of an unbeaded braid portion, which is why I increase the movements to 32. The exact same thing I stated above will happen with the next 16 movements.
For the marudai only: all above movements are reduced to 1 move because 2 cords are moved at the same time. Two moves create steps 1 and 2 of the Kongoh Gumi Z-Spiral shown above.
Enjoy your braiding journey,
Deborah Shipp
DMK Artisan Jewelry
You may move the north right cord first or the south left cord first. It does not matter. You may rotate the disk in either direction to make the east/west moves easier. You may again move either the top west cord first or the bottom east cord first, it does not matter. You must be consistent with your moves. Steps 1 and 2 are repeated to create the braid. These instructions are the actual instructions to make this braid.
Now lets talk about movements. Above I have stated that it takes 2 movements on the disk to complete step 1 and another two movements to complete step 2, equaling a total of 4 movements.
If you recall above, I stated it takes 4 movements to create steps 1 and 2.
At the end of 4 movements, those bobbins will be in the following position around the disk. Starting at the north left position, moving to the right: F, A, H, C, B, E, D and G
After another 4 movements, totaling 8 movements, the bobbins will be in the following positions: E, F, G, H, A, B, C and D
After another 4 movements, totaling 12 movements, the bobbins will be in the following positions: B, E, D, G, F, A, H, and C
After another 4 movements, totaling 16 movements, the bobbins will be in the following positions: A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H.
All bobbins at this point have been returned to their starting positions. Beads may be dropped at this time. However, I have found that when working with different size end caps this is not giving you enough of an unbeaded braid portion, which is why I increase the movements to 32. The exact same thing I stated above will happen with the next 16 movements.
For the marudai only: all above movements are reduced to 1 move because 2 cords are moved at the same time. Two moves create steps 1 and 2 of the Kongoh Gumi Z-Spiral shown above.
Enjoy your braiding journey,
Deborah Shipp
DMK Artisan Jewelry
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