Instructions for a Simple 8-Warp Braid Instructions for a 16-Warp Braid

Any cord, or group of cords, that are placed in a single notch on the This is the same braid structure as the eight warp braid. It’s best if you make a few
braiding board is referred to as a warp. In this braid the 8 warps are of those before trying this one. Working this braid with fine textiles, such as S-Lon
placed onto the board in 4 sets of 2. Notice that one warp is placed #18 cord will produce a braid that’s about 4mm in diameter.
into the notches on each side of the positioning dots (see Illustration 1).
Step 1: Pull eight pieces of cord and tie them together at one end in an overhand knot. Holding the Step 1: Pull 16 pieces of cord and tie them together at one end in an overhand knot.
Illustration 1 board face up, place the knot into the center hole. Spread the cords and place one in each of the Holding the board face up, place the knot into the center hole. Spread the cords and
Warp set to begin braiding notches on each side of the positioning dots (Illustration 1). Turn board over and wind each cord place one in each of the two notches to either side of the positioning dots. Then place
into a no-tangle bobbin. For your first few braids you may want to add a weight to the bottom of the other 8 warps in sets of 2 in between the first 4 sets. When you finish, there
the knot in the center to provide some downward tension on the braid. Twenty-five pennies in a should be two empty slots between each set of 2 warps. Turn the board over and
plastic bag are a good choice for a weight. The braid will feed downward out of the center hole wind each cord into a no-tangle bobbin. For your first few braids you may want to
as you work it. add a weight to the bottom of the knot in the center to provide some downward
tension on the braid. Twenty-five pennies in a plastic bag are a good choice for a
Step 2: Hold the board so that Dot 32 is at the top. Remove the warp in the bottom left notch and move Illustration 1
weight. The braid will feed downward out of the center hole as you work it.
it across the board and place it in the notch to the left of the 2 existing warps. This will put 3 Warp set to begin braiding
warps at the top and only one at the bottom (Illustration 2).
Step 2: Just as you did in the 8 warp braid, you’re going to start with Dot 32 at
Step 3: Since we’re working in sets of 2 and there’s 3 at the top and just 1 at the bottom, take the the top. Again, you’ll be working in sets of 2 and the warps will travel around the
Illustration 2 warp in the right-hand position at the top and move it across the board and place in the notch to board. First, take the bottom left warp and move it to the notch just to the left of
Warp set after Step 1 the right of the bottom warp (Illustration 3). Now we’re back to 4 sets of 2 but the top and the top 2 warps. Then move the right most warp in the top set of 3 to the right
bottom ones are no longer surrounding the dots. This is correct as this braid will “travel” around side of the single warp at the bottom. For this braid, you rotate the board counter-
the board as we continue. clockwise just to the next set of warps, making an eighth turn (45˚) instead of a
quarter turn (90˚). Number 4 will now be at the top. Notice in Illustration 2 that
Step 4: Rotate the disk counterclockwise a quarter-turn (90˚) so Dot 8 is at the top and Dot 24 is on the the pink warps have moved away from the dots, and the board has been rotated
bottom, as shown in Illustration 4. to begin the sequence again.
Illustration 2
Repeat Steps 2-4: The only difference is that the dot numbers will be different. You’re going to move the
Repeat Step 2: The only difference is that the dot numbers will be different. Again, Warp set after Step 2
bottom left warp to the top left; move the top right warp down to the right of the bottom warp; then rotate
the disk a quarter-turn counterclockwise, so the next set of warps is at the bottom. You’ll notice that the you’re going to move the bottom left warp to the top left; move the top right warp
warps will move away from the dots as you braid. Continue to work the braid until you run out of cord. It’s down to the right of the bottom warp; then rotate the disk an eighth-turn counterclockwise. Continue to work the braid until
possible, especially if you’re using different weight textiles, that one cord will be used up more quickly than you run out of cord. It’s possible, especially if you’re using different weight textiles, that one cord will be used up more
Illustration 3 quickly than the others.
the others.
Warp set after Step 2
NOTES: 1) The braiding sequence (keeping the left on the left and the right on the right) of both the 8 and 16 warp
braids on this instruction sheet will always produce a braid with a spiral structure. 2) The look of your braid will be
impacted by the placement of colors within the warp set-up. More information about this can be found in the book Braiding
for Beaders by Anne Dilker.

Whipping & Finishing Braid Ends

Here’s how to keep braids from unravelling when they’re cut:
1) WRAP a piece of thread (S-Lon size D works well) around the end of the braid 2 or 3
Illustration 4 Illustration 5 Illustration 6 Illustration 7 1 times, leaving a small gap between the whip and the braid knot. Then tie the thread
Warp set after quarter turn Warp set after repeating Step 1 Warp set after repeating Step 2 Warp set after putting next set off tightly with a square KNOT. Or, you can first knot the end of the thread and sew the
of warps at the bottom thread through the braid before wrapping and knotting. Remember to keep the whip
area small and tight.
Tips for Successful Braids 2 2) TRIM the thread ends close to the knot so they won’t stick out, then CUT the braid
• For most jewelry projects, pull 3" of each of the 8 cords for every 1" of braid you want to make. close to the whip.
• Use your left hand to move the left hand warps and right hand to move the right hand warps.
• Use a 25 penny weight to help you get started, weight can be removed if it becomes cumbersome as you braid. 3) When the braid is ready to be finished, GLUE an end cap into place so that it covers
• Be sure to set each warp firmly into the notch. over the whip thread.
• When you want to take a break, leave 3 warps at the top. When you return you’ll know to put the 3 at the 3
top to begin braiding again.