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Japanese Braiding




Things to make and do -  Japanese Braiding




You will need:



Octagon template (PDF below)
Cereal Box Card
Pencil
Scissors
Hole-punch
Wool in 7 colours


Things to make and do -  Japanese Braiding




What to do



1. Print out the template onto printer paper, cut out cutting the eight slits and punch out a small centre hole.

Download Japanese braiding template



Things to make and do -  Japanese Braiding



2. Place the template on the cereal box card. Draw around the template marking the slits and centre hole. Cut the octagon out of the card, cut the eight slits and punch out a small centre hole.

Things to make and do -  Japanese Braiding



3. Cut seven equal lengths of wool (all in different colours) and tie them together at one end.

Things to make and do -  Japanese Braiding



4. From underneath, thread the strands of wool one at a time through the central hole and place a separate strand firmly in each slit (you should be left with an empty slit). The knotted end should be against (but not able to go through) the hole, touching the underside of the card.

Things to make and do -  Japanese Braiding



5. Holding the empty slit closest to you count up three strands to your right (anti-clockwise), take the strand of wool from the third slit and slide it into the empty slit. Run your fingers through the strands underneath so that they don't get tangled.

Things to make and do -  Japanese Braiding



6. Turn the octagon so that the empty slit is again closest to you and repeat the step (count up three strands to your right (anti-clockwise), take the strand of wool from the third slit and slide it into the empty slit.)

Things to make and do -  Japanese Braiding



7. Repeat this step until you reach the end of your wool or until the braiding is the length you need. Gently pull the braid as it grows to give it room.

Things to make and do -  Japanese Braiding



It is important that between steps you run your fingers through the strands underneath so that they don't become tangled.

Things to make and do -  Japanese Braiding



8. Holding onto the braid close to the hole underneath take each strand out of the slits, slide them back through the hole and tie them together at the end of the braided section and trim the ends.
(If the braid is too long just tie another knot where the correct length should be and trim the ends.)

Things to make and do -  Japanese Braiding



9. The braid can now be used to make friendship bracelets, hair accessories, bookmarks.wherever your imagination takes you.

Things to make and do -  Japanese Braiding





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