Diamonds adorn the necks of Hidden Mountain's populace

At Atlantia's Spring Coronation, I had the opportunity to speak with His Excellency Thylacine Aquila, Baron of Hidden Mountain, about his kumihimo patterns. He prefers a 16-strand diamond pattern in black and white. He often incorporates one strand in a third color, depending on the purpose of the cord. This third color makes a dot in the center of the white diamond. I've used a red thread in the cord I'm working now. Baron Thylacene will use red when the cord is going to a  warrior, blue for an A&S award or black for a service award.

Here is the layout of the loom to achieve this pattern:

32,1=B,B.
4,5=W,W.
8,9=R,W.
12,13=W,B.
16,17=B,B.
20,21=W,B.
24,25=B,W.
28,29=W,W.

I'm using #5 Perle cotton, which produces cord of about 3/16" diameter.

In Service to the Dream...

Tangled up in blue.. and white and gold

Soon after becoming active in the SCA, I started looking around for something to keep my hands busy. After observing several gentles creating cords on foam looms, I decided to try my hand at the Japanese art of Kumihimo. While still a novice, I've become quite taken with this art form.

Recently, Her Royal Majesty Padraigin put forth a request for cords in the Atlantian colors for the Kingdom medallion box. I was delighted to find a focus for my efforts. The next step was determining the exact colours and pattern of threads. Baron Takeda and Dame Morwenna came to the rescue, providing both floss colours and number of threads.

I realized after completing two cords, that I had neglected to use the correct combination of thread-- my fault entirely. So I once again went searching for direction. Mistress Ealdthryth of Humberstone has documented in several places the history and illustrated directions for making Atlantian medallion cords.

Dame Morwenna recommended using a #5 perle cotton for the cords. Embroidery floss will work as well, but I like the perle cotton much better. Floss colors are DMC 796 (blue), B5200 (white) and 725 (gold). The cord is an 8-strand cord: 4 of blue, 3 of white and 1 gold.

When I first mentioned my interest in learning kumihimo to milord Talan, he brought home a foam loom. Unfortunately for me, the directions on the loom were all in Japanese. I found a wonderful YouTube video demonstrating how to braid using the loom. I also found a kit online here that includes bobbins for controlling the dangling threads.

I look forward to presenting a dozen cords to Her Excellency Etain for inclusion in the Kingdom chest.

In service to the Dream.