Ladybug Necklace--Kumihimo with Beads

Love this Ladybug Necklace that I made for my 2 granddaughters.  The kit is from Weir Crafts.  The technique is Kumihimo beading using the standard 8 thread weave, and only 2 of the strands have beads. 

                                                                    Ladybug Necklace

The kit comes with glue on kumihimo end caps, but they were small for the braid.  So, I used some wire and larger end caps and made a wire loop to attach a lobster clasp.

Notes:  6 red warps (floss or pearl cotton) and 2 black warps.  Black is S Lon cord.  Each necklace: Pendant, 2 red pony beads, 2 black pony beads, and black seed beads size 8 or size 6.  Find center of strands.  Black strands are longer.  Knot all strands loosely together to right of middle.  Put pendant and pony beads on longer side: black pony, red pony, ladybug, red pony, black pony next to center knot.

On disk, pendant and beads are just below center of hole.  Attach weight:  tie with lark's head just under pendant and beads.  Load beads onto black cord. Top and bottom threads are red in disk.  Side threads are right: red top, black bottom and left: red bottom, black top.

Top right down, bottom left up. I rotate counterclockwise.  Weave 1/4" -3/8" without seed beads next to pony beads.  Then start adding seed beads when weaving.  Repeat until half the desired length.  Braid 1" without beads for clasp.  Wrap that end with waste thread to keep it from unraveling at end.  I use button/craft thread.

Undo the center knot near the pendant and put it on disk just below center hole.  Braid to length of 1st half.  Mine are 8 1/2" for each half plus 1" unbeaded for clasp end.

I used 22 gauge silver plated wire for wrapped loop for one bracelet and 20 gauge silver plated for the other.  Make a simple loop and take wire through the end of braid before the wrapped end.  Glue the end of braid with glue 6000.  Add end cap onto wire and add a black bead and make a wire loop.  Add jump ring and lobster clasp.