WEBS sent out their newsletter today. Do you guys get these things? You shouldn’t. If you value your bank account and all things involving money (like eating, paying your mortgage) you should not touch this newsletter.

Except - maybe for the good deals. I mean REALLY good deals. Last year I managed to get some kind of wool for something like $1.99 a skein. I am presently knitting with this wool and as a result thank the Garage Sale daily. A sweater for $15? I’ll take it.

This is what caught my eye in this issue of the newsletter:

Kumihimo Disc

Kumihimo? What the hell is that. Wiki did nothing for me. I was dependent on google.

Kumihimo is pronouced - ku-me-he-mo.

“Kumihimo is the ancient art of Japanese braiding. These braids were intricate and used for many things including the tying of an obi or the connecting of panels on a samurai’s armour. Traditionally the braids were made using a marudai which is a wooden stool with a hole in the center. The threads were braided on the top (mirror) of the marudai with the finished braid going down through the hole.. “

Here are some links to explanations and pictures of the process and the finished product. Cords, Braids, oh my. Beautiful cords. Am I crazy to think that this might be fun?

Not only that a great addition to a knitted hoodie? Or purse? Or something, anything to replace the Bookish dreaded I-cord?

Anyone have any experience with this?

I think I’m going to order the disk. Just to see what it’s like and all. Anything to escape the i-cord. I hate the i-cord.

And all of you librarians out there? I apologize for not returning my library book. And I almost promise I won’t get any others out on Kumihimo until I return my overdue knitting book. In my defense, I forgot how many of you there were. I fear a whole gaggle of you may come find me and cut me with paper or something. I promise to return my book. Just as soon as I’m done with it.