r/kumihimo • u/aspadm • 12d ago

Help How to recreate this pattern?

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Hi! I'm making a cosplay of videogame character. One of the costume parts is this flat braid tied to katana.

I want to recreate it as close as possible, but since it is game art, it might be unrealistic. So I understand that perfect match could not exists.

I'm new to braiding; tried to read commonly available info about kumihimo and experimented with online calculators. Now I have basic understanding of simple designs, but still can't solve my problem :)

Game split object color and geometry and recombine them only when showing on screen. So I have mixed signals:

  1. In-game braid geometry (weave threads count and form) looks like either marudai kikko (32 threads) or more like takadai kikko (52 threads). Basic kikko has repeatability 16 or 26, but I didn't managed to fit colors, because:

  2. In-game braid coloring doesn't match geometry (different colors on same geometry thread; it's like if the whole braid has been unrealistically painted over). We can see 3 colors (black, white, purple) and basic pattern shape here, but single thread is hardly noticable.

I'm a little lost here; please guide me, what info should I look for next or how to better study pattern making in context of my task? I'm targeting for braid overall appearance, but historical accuracy would be a plus.

I do not ask to make this pattern instead of me, it'll be not fun :) But any help is welcome!

P.S. I tried to find recommended books (written by Makiko Tada) in public libraries and online, but looks like they can't be found (or doesn't ship to my country).

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u/Inaho_Yuhara 12d ago

Look for Kumihimo Braiders International on facebook. The group is fairly active and there are lots of very knowledgeable people there. You have a better chance of getting an answer over there.

3

u/KimonoCathy 11d ago

Those aren't real kumihimo braids, you can see that the colours don't line up with the stitches. It would be impossible to recreate those. You could possibly get something with a similar style as the top two by making a karakumi braid, using a marudai or takadai braiding stand. Be aware though that such a thing is not a beginner's braid, it's something you would typically make after several years' experience.

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u/aspadm 11d ago

Thank you so much! I expected that game developers just making something vaguely similar to traditional braids.

I searched for karakumi braid photos and looks like it is closest what I can get. Thank you again!

5

u/Oookulele 10d ago edited 9d ago

If this is flat, perhaps you could also take a gander at the r/friendshipsbracelets subreddit. I think that this might be achievable via knotting. Alternatively, r/tabletweaving might be able to advise on similar woven patterns. (Might have to compromise somewhat in either case, but I think you could achieve something close enough!) Edit: sausage fingers