Kongoh Gumi Braid with Continuous Pattern and Color Changes. I developed this technique for classes I taught in San Miguel de Allende and Oaxaca, Mexico as well as for Pacific Textile Arts in Fort Bragg, California. I have now re-visited and revised the pattern and class contents to create a Tutorial that I can offer to you.

If you look at the photo to the right, you see 16-strand Kongoh Gumi braida (three separate braids). The SPIRAL pattern and main color, BLACK, run the entire length of the braid. The accent colors are only present as blocks of spiral colors. For example, the red accent spiral seamlessly transitions into the turquoise spiral. That is the best way I can describe the "Continuous Pattern with Color Changes" Kongoh Gumi Braid. 

This 14-page tutorial assumes that you are already familiar with and can braid the 16-strand Kongoh Gumi Braid. It is important that you are able to read the "point of braid" so you know where you are in the progression of your braid as you move around the disk. In other words, you need to be able to easily identify your "last move" and the "next move". This is not a Beginner project.

You will learn:
- You will learn techniques for changing colors along the length of the braid.
- You will learn about "active" and "passive" elements.
- You will learn about braiding around a core of elements.
- You will learn tensioning techniques for smooth & seamless transitions between colors. 
- You will learn the steps to think through a more complicated braid on your own.

The sampler braid for this tutorial is the 16-strand Kongoh Gumi SPIRAL braid shown above. It is best to learn the color changing technique on the simplest braid and then you can take your success and use the same techniques for other patterns & color combinations. 

Once you have a command of this braid, you will be ready to add it to your repertoire of braids. 

Since this is a Tutorial only, it is up to the maker to choose their own components. Following are some of the braiding fibers and tools I recommend:

Kumihimo Foam Disk
Plastic Bobbins
Nylon Satin Cord
Embroidery Floss
Perle Cotton
Paton's Grace (or similar)

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All patterns written by Karen Huntoon are protected under Copyright Law - All Rights Reserved. This pattern is for your personal use only. Please do not scan, copy, reproduce or distribute any of this pattern with friends, groups, classes or guilds. If you would like to use these instructions to teach classes you must purchase Patterns/Tutorials for each student. 

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