Description
Moving On With The Laramie Braid
This addictive 3-D spiral braid is based on a straw-plaiting braid of European origin. It is made most easily on a foam disc because of the jumping progression of the threads around a core. (It isn’t Kumihimo – the structure is completely different.)
For beginners, we’ll start with the basic technique but for those who have already met this addictive braid, we will move along quickly to variations such as changing the number of threads, how they are grouped and their positions on the disc. We’ll use the fact that there is a core creatively, manipulating it in and out. Also, we’ll add beads, both inside and out.
I have found another straw-plaiting braid with fiber and wire potential and have started experimenting with it. We’ll look at what possibilities this structure will hold.
During Week 2 we will be working with wire, taming wire and adding chain endings to make a necklace. There will be time for Show and Tell – sharing results from Week 1.
The history of this braid is still being written and this is your opportunity to add to that history.
Kit Information: A limited number of kits are available for this class because Shirley creates a kit just for you. It matches your favorite color and does not include your least favorite. The kit is only available to individuals that purchase the class. Again, each kit will be unique to the individual braider in colors and elements.
Please note: As Shirley will be mailing kits from Canada, kits will be purchased directly from Shirley not through AKS.
Kit information
Instructor: Shirley Berlin

Shirley loves to teach kumihimo and other narrow wares workshops. She is particularly interested in basic kumihimo and its myriad variations: texture, thick and thin, distortion, adding bumps or beads, beginnings and endings. With time, she has come to appreciate that the foam disc has more possibilities than she first thought.
Shirley has been braiding since the 1980’s and is a founding member of both AKS and the Braid Society. As BerlinBraids she and Peter make marudais and tama in Canada. She can answer the question “That’s nice, dear, but what do you do with it?”
Shirley was born and currently lives in Canada. Additionally, she is has lived around the world in Sweden, Holland, Germany, France, Russia and England.
Website: www.shirleyberlin.com
Saturday, January 7, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Eastern and Saturday, January 14, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Eastern Time
Class Format:
This class consists of two 2 hour sessions presented via Zoom. Students will be able to ask questions using the Zoom chat function. This class will be recorded, edited and posted in the class information. Posting the video generally takes between 48 and 72 hours.
Basic Equipment and Materials:
- Use what you have! If you haven’t made this braid before, you’ll understand more after the first class so don’t rush out to shop just yet.
Experience Level:
No experience is required