Winding & Folding Yatsu-se
With Makiko Tada
Wednesday Sept. 23, 2026
2:00 – 5:00
Makiko Tada’s classes will be filled by lottery. Lottery application ended April 4th, 2026
Experience Level:
Intermediate to Advanced. Students should be experienced braiding and setting up a marudai or disc/plate and be proficient braiding 8 tama braids
Class Description:
Discover the versatility of these Yatsu-se braid variations. This technique lends itself to a wide range of jewelry and decorative designs. The repeatable pattern used in these braids make them easy to learn. Students will create samples in class or start a necklace to finish later.
Kit: Price will vary based on student’s choice of materials. The instructor will have Japanese Kumihimo fibers available for purchase or students may bring their own fibers.
Students should bring:
Marudai, 8 weighted tama with leaders, 20% counter weight, chopstick, scissors and notepad.
Lacy Sasanami
With Masumi Tada
Wednesday Sept. 23, 2026
2:00 – 5:00
Experience Level:
All levels. Experience braiding Anda Gumi on a square plate will be helpful but not required.
Class Description:
Create an elegant necklace featuring graceful curves with an open lacy effect. Masumi will explain how making subtle structural adjustments to the traditional Sasanami braid creates movement and negative space. Pre-class preparation instructions will be provided for everyone to arrive ready to start braiding. You will use your own fiber for this versatile design which works well with silk, metallics, or other multi-strand fibers. While some students may make significant progress on their necklace in class all will leave with the knowledge to complete it independently.
Project will not be completed in class.
Kit: $ 20
Price may vary depending on materials students choose. Instructor will bring Octo Plates, Square Plates, different types of braiding fibers.
Students should bring: Octo-plate, 24 plastic bobbins, 12 bundles (sections) of multi-strand braiding fibers.
Infinite Potential – A workshop
With Yuko Yoshida
Wednesday Sept. 23, 2026
2:00 – 5:00
Experience Level: Intermediate; students should be proficient braiding 16-tama braids.
Class Description: This class offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from the artist herself. You will discover the design possibilities of kumihimo in this special presentation with master braider and author Yuko Yoshida. In her book Infinite Potential of Kumihimo, Yuko introduces dynamic new braid structures including Spirals, Leaf forms, and her stunning Flower Crown designs. As Yuko expresses, “Simply braiding kumihimo and braiding it beautifully are not exactly the same.”
This will be a lecture and demonstration experience rather than a hands-on workshop. Instead of braiding independently, students will observe Yuko as she explores the different braid variations, sharing design concepts, process insights, and how to braid them beautifully!
Bring your copy of Infinite Potential of Kumihimo for signing, or purchase one at the event for $25.
Kit: No student kit
Students should bring:
Notebook and pen/pencil. Optional: “UFO” projects from Yuko’s book.
Loop d'Loop
With Adrienne Gaskell
Wednesday Sept. 23, 2026
2:00 - 5:00
Experience Level:
Proficient braiding fiber braids on either the disk or marudai.
Class Description:
Create a lightweight, flexible necklace by linking loops made from fiber braids into an elegant chain. This creative project is a wonderful way to transform sample braids or shorter braid lengths into a striking piece of jewelry. You can combine different braid structures for an or repeat a single pattern for a more unified design. We’ll explore color choices in class - from bold contrasts to refined monochromes - to help you create a necklace that reflects your personal style.
Almost any flexible fiber can be used, including Japanese silk, satin cord, embroidery floss, etc. Students will learn different ways to link the loops together, how to cut and prepare braid sections, and secure the joins with attractive decorative bindings. During class I’ll share a variety of samples, ideas, and works in progress to spark your creativity and help you design a one-of-a-kind necklace.
Kit: No class kit is required.
The instructor will provide a selection of wrapping fibers for students to choose from, along with tools for use during the class.
Students should bring:
Scissors, embroidery or darning needle, and fiber braid samples. Round braids of a similar diameter work best. The instructor will contact students by email prior to class with details about suitable braids and to answer any questions.
Coiling
With Shirley Berlin
Wednesday Sept. 23, 2026
2:00 - 5:00
Experience Level: Beginner
Class Description:
The variations of this simple technique run the gamut from yech via elegant all the way to art.
You will choose a core – cotton rope, macrame cord, piping cord, plastic tubing, wire - and choose something pretty or interesting to wrap around it. In class we’ll make a small vessel, using various materials - novelty yarns, knotting cord, wire, waxed linen - to experiment with shapes and textures. The repetitive movements are calming – and addictive.
Thinking outside the box, the sculptural possibilities for braiding around a core should make the shapes we’ll produce especially intriguing for future projects.
Kit: $ 20
Includes written instructions, samples and inspiration pages, core materials (10 feet), wrapping materials, big-eye needle, 2 clamps , and her suitcase full of yarns to choose from.
Students should bring:
Scissors
Ridged Spiral Necklace
With Yin Gaung
Wednesday Sept. 23, 2026
2:00 - 5:00
Experience Level: All levels. Proficiency in Edo Yatsu braiding is helpful; wire-braiding experience is not required.
Class Description:
Using a combination of soft fabric and rigid wire cords, this workshop explores a fun and fascinating approach to creating a braided necklace. Students will learn how to transition smoothly from an 8-strand Edo Yatsu soft fabric braid to a 7-strand rigid wire Laramie braid then form a signature spiral structure, and then transition back to Edo Yatsu.
Students will be able to complete this project in class.
Kit: $ 45
Includes cords, wire, clasp and written instructions.
Students should bring:
Round kumihimo disc, ruler, and scissors.
Carrie's Rainbow Spiral Necklace
With Carolyn Oliver Haushalter
Wednesday Sept. 23, 2026
2:00 - 5:00
Experience Level:
Intermediate to Advanced.
Class Description:
You will learn how to make a 6-color beaded kongo gumi stripe in both S-Twist and Z-Twist versions. This technique can then be adapted for 3 and 4 color stripes to increase the visual and textural variety of beaded braids. Techniques for finishing beaded braids and inserting a bail or large bead on a braid without changing tension will be taught. You can take this class on a disk or marudai.
You will also learn how to finish the braid with cones and wire.
Kit: $ 50
Includes 6 colors of size 11 seed beads, C-Lon cord size Tex 135/0.4mm, pewter cord ends, pewter clasp, pewter bail, full written instructions. Crystal pendant will be provided or students can bring their own
Students should bring:
32 slot round kumihimo disk with 30-45g counterweight
OR
Marudai with 8 tama, 20-30% tama counterweight, and chopstick
Thread Burner
Scissors
Pliers
Glue (E6000 or Two Part Epoxy preferred)
Viking Knit
With Bob Galivan
Wednesday Sept. 23, 2026
2:00 - 5:00
Experience Level: All levels. No experience needed.
Class Description:
Viking Knit, also known as Trichinopoly chainwork, is a wire weaving technique that likely originated in Scandinavia in the 8th or 9th century. It uses thin-gauge, dead-soft wire, woven into a hollow tube that is both attractive and durable.
The class project will be a bracelet like the one shown in the first photo. Students will learn how to plan and start a structure, how to weave the wire around a mandril, and how to pull the woven structure through a draw plate to achieve a finished piece. Viking Knit is an easy-to-learn wire technique that lets you create a finished piece of jewelry or a platform to use as a background embellishment for your braids as shown in the 2nd photo. The instructor will demonstrate how to attach end caps and a clasp. The instructor will also discuss and demonstrate double Viking Knit and discuss the advantages of using a double technique for your work. This is a techniques class designed to introduce you to the basics of Viking Knit and to explore modifications to the technique to achieve various outcomes.
The project will not be completed in class, but BraiderBob will be available during Gathering to assist any overachievers who finish the project during the conference.
Kit: $ 50
Includes: Mandril, craft wire, draw plates, end caps & clasp
Students should bring:
Optional: task light, magnifiers if needed, wire cutters, craft pliers. Instructor will have loaner wire cutters and pliers.