(For Marudai stands and bobbins for Kumihimo check your local bead and fiber stores or email helby@idt.net for your nearest bead store to order the clear acrylic Marudai stand and bobbins.  LACIS also carries Marudai stands.)

Jacqui Carey is an expert and artist of Kumihimo braiding.  She has published three excellent books on the subject and I would advise you start with this beginner book if Kumihimo is new to you.  You will find an introduction and history about Kumihimo along with color photographs of braided items.  All materials are described including warp threads, Marudai stands, bobbins and an assortment of standard tools.   Jacqui takes you from the very beginning, step by step, to warp the Marudai stand and then right into making some very easy braids.

Each project brings you through photographic steps for preparing the yarns and working the pattern, providing very easy visual steps to follow and all in color.  Each project has a visual guide of how the fibers are set for warping.  Instructions include how to develop your own pattern, adding textures, how to make shapes in the braids and examples of what you can create with the braids.  You will learn how to combine diverse fiber colors, different fiber thickness and several braids together.  Some of these beautiful braids look like they have beads incorporated but it is just the fancy fibers that appear to be beads.  This book does not include adding beads, however, you absolutely need this beginner book before jumping into bead enhancement to braids.  Jacqui includes instructions for Kumihimo braiding preparations in all her books but they are not near as comprehensive as this book for beginners.

When you start a new craft, it is better to have complete instructions to follow.  If you want to learn how to braid and use a Marudai stand, this is the first book you should purchase.   Skipping the basics to get to the more complex patterns can sometimes result in wasted time, material and disappointment that could have been avoided.   I have a clear acrylic Marudai stand I have started warping and like it because I can see through the whole stand as I work.   Beginner's Guide to Braiding will make you feel like Jacqui is setting right next to you, guiding you through the motions.  This is a user friendly book that will not overwhelm you.  Through easy terminology and explanations, Jacqui invites you to enjoy learning a new craft as you go.  You will find a whole new world of creativity waiting for you.