AKS CoD – The Ins and Outs of the S- and Z-Spirals, Rosalie Neilson

Description

Making two-color Kongō Gumi braids is a lot of fun as there are over one thousand different patterns to choose from. But what happens to a particular pattern when you switch from a Z-spiral to an S-spiral direction? Will the pattern stay the same?

If you are interlacing a solid striped braid, the answer is YES. The stripes will switch from a Z- to an S-spiral direction. But if you are interlacing a braid with a specific pattern, changing directions will more than likely change the design. However, through trial and error, I was able to find a series of 2-color braids that maintain the same pattern whether interlaced in the Z- or the S-spiral direction.

Learn how to switch from a Z- to S-spiral braid, and practice some of the variations that yield the same patterned braid in both directions.

Suggested book resource written by Rosalie Neilson (not a requirement): Kongō Gumi: A Cacophony of Spots – Coils – Zags – Lines

 

Instructor – Rosalie Neilson

 

Rosalie Neilson has been making kumihimo braids for more than 35 years. In 1980, she visited a Tokyo kimono factory, became enamored with kumi braids, took a private class, and came home with a marudai, kakudai, and two instruction books written in Japanese. Throughout the years she has developed into a true master of the art with exquisite designs using both color and geometry.

“My love of color comes from being raised in Oregon. During the majority of the year, nature appears in shades of green, blue, and grey. In this softly lit environment of neutrals, bright colors stand out in sharp contrast.” And so they do in her braids. Her love of color doesn’t stop there. She was intrigued by the number of ways a braider
could use two colors with the Hira Kara Gumi braid and began exploring each one. In 1998, after 18 years of exploration with this braid structure, Rosalie, with the help of her
mathematically inclined brother, documented and published the Thirty-Seven Interlacements of Hira Kara Gumi. This was followed by the Twenty-Four Interlacements of Edo-Yatsu Gumu. A third book Kongo Gumi – A Cacophony of Spots – Coisl – Zags – Lines was published in 2013 and documents all 1,157 variations of the 16-strand Edo-Yatsu using just two colors. These are true labors of passion and kumihimo love!

Equipment:

• Marudai, 16 Tama, Counterweight bag with 45 % weight of combined Tama, chopstick.

  • Can also be adapted to the foam braiding disk.

Materials:

• Any fiber suitable for braiding
• Scissors
• Measuring tape

Kit Availability:

• No kit available

Prerequisites:

None

If you have questions about purchasing process, please send them to education@amksoc.org.

If you have questions about the class itself, send them to ZtoS@amksoc.org

Founding and Supporting Members are entitled to one free class. Use the coupon code akscodkumi when checking out. 
After you have purchased this class, access it by selecting AKS Classes on Demand on Learning/Events  menu on the tool bar on any page.

NOTE: This is an edited version of a previously aired Virtual Gathering class.  There may be references to forums that were a part of that original class and discussions that were difficult to edit out.  There may be some abrupt cuts where down time occurred and was edited out.  We feel that the information you will get from these classes is outstanding and we are pleased to be able to capture these classes and share them in a very affordable and on demand fashion.  Thank you for your understanding.

This class is copyrighted. Please respect the instructor’s rights.

Enjoy!