Creative Kumihimo

Creative Kumihimo
By: Jacqui Carey

This book contains advanced patterns for the Marudai, using 4, 8 and 16 tamas (bobins). Once you understand that the kumihimos in the pictures are described at the end of the book you're good to go. The patterns let you see how the colors will affect the results and plan ahead to get the effect you desire.
One thing I regret though is that the chapter on endings doesn't have enough details and would need more drawings.
Highly recommended for intermediate level. If you are a complete beginner you should buy "The Beginner's Guide to Braiding: The Craft of Kumihimo by Jacqui Carey" first.
This is one of my favorite kumihimo books. Ms. Carey presents all the basics, but she goes way beyond just the basics - equipment needed, working with the threads and cords (the warp), and patterns for a lot of different braids. The essential piece of equipment is a braiding stand or maru-dai. The threads and cords are wound onto bobbins (tama) which are then suspended across the top (or mirror) of the maru-dai. Ms. Carey discusses setting up the maru-dai and covers types of thread to use, the length to use, and how much thread per bobbin. This section includes some terrific photos that make everything very clear.