A Plethera of Braided Color

Laura

School art projects are often times very 'interesting'. At least in my house where artistic talent seems to have passed us by. Give me some yarn and I can play for hours, give me colored pencils or paint and my attempts at art work will look like a kindergartener's first project, therefore,  what can I possibly expect from my gene-challenged children?

And so like many supportive parents faced with questionable school projects, we slap on impressed smiles, show our real enthusiasm and carefully pick appropriate adjectives; ones like interesting, creative, imaginative and impressive being careful not to use specific descriptions (like 'that's a fabulous dog honey" only to find out it was an elephant) or to use overly effusive praise that will only have them applying for art scholarships or trying out for American Idol in years to come. 

So imagine my surprise when I found myself coveting my son's art project the other day. No drawing involved in this project thank goodness just seven vibrant colors of yarn. Maybe I am the only one who has not seen this Japanese Braid but I just love this alternative to an i-cord or one of those funky knitting bobbin gadgets.

• Start with a cardboard circle about 3 inches in diameter.
• Cut eight slits to hold the yarn and a hole in the center.
• Cut lengths of seven colors of yarn at least a yard long
• Tie a slip knit at the end, drop it though the hole and attach yarn to circle slits.
• Starting at the blank spot, count three strands to the right (counterclockwise) and move than color clockwise to the empty spot. In this case the yellow will move between the orange and pink.
• Count three more strands from the new empty spot and move that yarn over. Here the green will go where the yellow used to be.
• Again and again making sure you pull the cord down as you go for even tension.

The result is a multi-colored intricately braided cord that is super easy to make. We've been taking turns while we watch TV. It's fun, hypnotic and great for all ages. Perfect party favor or carry along entertainment for parents with easily bored little ones. I may leave a few in the car in a zip lock bag.

Just look at how those colors all intertwine!

Remember those color palettes I told you about the other day?  How about digging through your stash looking for some of those fabulous combinations?  I think you'd have a lot of fun and you just might end up with a new purse strap, pillow trim, sweater edge, or curtain tie, towel trim, plant hanger, hair ribbon, belt  ... the possibilities are all there waiting for you to discover.

Comments

[Carol]

This is interesting. i may give it a try so I can entertain the little cousins next time I see them. I have trouble relating to them when it's just talking, but this? This I could do!

[Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)]

That's pretty cool. And how can you not love a yarn project?

[Becky]

Wow I can not believe my luck.I have been trying to find out how to do this kind of braid for years. Thank You so much.

[Kaidy]

This wonderful technique is going to be perfect for the kids in the afterschool program that I coordinate. Especially during the long, dark, cold Minnesota afternoons in the winter. Thanks so much for sharing.