About the Karakumidai
The karakumidai is a traditional Japanese braiding stand used to create karakumi, a form of twined braiding featuring colorful diamond and half-diamond patterns.
Unlike the marudai, where threads move around a central point, the karakumidai holds threads across a rectangular frame. As the threads are manipulated, colorful geometric patterns emerge.
Watching the diamond patterns take shape as the braid grows is part of what makes karakumi so fascinating.
Click here to see some beautiful karakumi photos, courtesy of Makiko Tada.
Explore karakumi and the versatility of this Japanese braiding stand
An Introduction to Karakumi, by Steve Pretty ↗
Originally published in Strands, the journal of The Braid Society, in 2009.
Making a Chinese Braid on a Karakumidai, by Steve Pretty ↗
Explore another way to use this versatile braiding stand.
Our thanks to Steve Pretty for generously allowing BraidersHand to share his articles and knowledge with the braiding community.
Recommended Books and Papers
For those interested in exploring karakumi further, these books offer additional patterns, techniques, and inspiration.
Braids of Takadai & Karakumidai — Hiroko Ojima and Mutsuko Okamoto↗
A beautifully illustrated Japanese-language book featuring a variety of karakumi braids, including wide, narrow, round, and snowflake designs.
Braids, Bands & Beyond — Braids 2016↗
Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Braiding. Includes Karakumi by Makiko Tada (pages 6–10) and Narabi Karakumi by Michael Hattori (page 37).
How to Do Karakumi: Early Period Japanese Flat Braids (external PDF)↗
By Fujinami no Kaede. An illustrated paper exploring the history and techniques of early Japanese karakumi flat braiding.