Frequently asked questions

Question: The design tool doesn't work - I get a grey box or a red cross.

This usually happens if the version of Java on your computer is older than the one required by the tool. The tools need a Java version of at least 1.4 - the latest version available is version 1.6 (commonly referred to as Java 6), and Java 7 is likely to be released soon. You can test the version of Java your browser is using at the Java site or Java Tester.You can get the latest version of Java from Sun.

Question: I've downloaded the latest version of Java, and it still doesn't work.

The first thing to check is whether Java is working correctly. Sometimes after installing the latest version, you need to enable it in your browser. Look at Java Tester. If there is no pink rectangle, something is stopping your Java from working. There are a number of suggestions on the Java Tester page, or Java's own test page also has some things to check.

If Java Tester is correctly reporting your version of Java, but one of our design tools isn't working, please let us know. Make sure you tell us what version of Java is reported by Java Tester, as well as your operating system (e.g. Windows Vista, Mac OS, Ubuntu Linux) and web browser (e.g. IE9, Firefox 6, Safari 5).

Question: I am having problems seeing the tools in IE9.

We have found that the tools will not work if you are using Internet Explorer 9 with an older version of Java installed. The best solution is to update your Java at the Java site.

If you can't do this, you can use IE in "Compatability Mode". Unfortunately, this will also change the layout of the site, although everything should still work OK.

Click on the icon marked above to change whether you are viewing our website in compatability mode. You only need to have compatability mode on for the pages with design tools on them. If you have an older version of Java, you should get a warning before the tool is loaded, so if you want to look around the site, you can turn compatability mode back off until you want to use a design tool again.

Question: I can't print my Kumihimo design

Some browsers will print the design out quite easily, others won't. We have tried to make sure that there is a print button that works for all browsers, but due to the number of different browser, operating system and java combinations out there, we can't test every one. If it isn't working for you, please Contact Us, letting us know what browser you are using, how you are trying to print (browser menu or a button near the design) and what happens when you do. If we know it is broken, we will try and find a way to fix it!

If all else fails, you can print the browser window using a graphics program. On Windows, there is a print screen button (PrtScn) near the top right of your keyboard. If you press "Alt" and "PrtScn" together, you can paste the browser Window into Paint. The same should work on Linux. On a Mac you should get an image file on your desktop if you hold Command and "shift" and "3" at the same time (use "4" instead of "3" to select part of the screen).

Question: How much thread do I need for my braid?

This varies between different braids and also for different braiders. I usually use around twice the length of thread for the length of braid I want. Many of the braids need all the threads to be the same length, but sometimes certain threads need to be longer. If I have estimated this for my own braiding, I will try and make a note of it with the braid instructions. For a shorter braid, the finishings take up a greater proportion of the thread used, so make allowance for that. The best thing is to try it with the type of thread you want to use, and see what happens for your braiding.

Question: How do I set up the disk for a kongoh gumi braid when there are more than 20 threads?

There aren't enough slots to have gaps between all the thread pairs. As long as you make sure you have a gap around the 2 starting groups (top and bottom), this gap will move around the disk and you will always have a gap for your threads to move into.

Question: How can I make a 32 thread kongoh-gumi braid (from "kumihimo designer") on a 32 slot disk?

Although I usually do this on a marudai, I have done it on a kumihimo disk. I made a video to show how I do it

Question: What is a marudai, and can I use Marudai Painter if I don't have one?

A marudai is a type of Japanese braiding loom, traditionally wooden, typically used to make round braids, but also other polygons and narrow flat braids. If you want to try marudai braids without buying your own marudai, you can mimic one by placing a kumihimo disk, or cardboard circle on some sort of stand - but don't use the slots! This allows two hands to work the threads, and gives a nice flow to the work. The braid passes through the central hole so the support must be hollow, ideally allowing the braid to be visible from the side.

Don't put the threads in the slots - the threads should be wound around weighted bobbins, and this gives some of the tension. When I first tried, I was using 3 strands of DMC embroidery thread on lace bobbins. It wasn't ideal, but worked well enough to give me a feel for it. Aim for 35g (3oz) per bobbin if you are using 6-strand embroidery thread or similar, and you should be ok. The braid itself should also be attached to a counterweight, typically half the total weight of the bobbins.

Some of the braids shown in marudai painter can be made on a kumihimo disk or plate. We have started working out instructions for making our braids on a disk. You can change between marudai and disk patterns (where available) by clicking on buttons in the Marudai Painter app. If there are no instructions for a disk, you can try it yourself, but you may need to adjust the positions of threads to make space for the threads being moved.

Question: What is a jpeg and how do I know if I have one?

There are a number of different file types for pictures, and the most common for photos is a jpeg. Some cameras use different formats. Normally a jpeg image file will have the letters ".jpg" or ".jpeg" at the end. If you have file extensions turned off in Windows, selecting the file should give you this information.

Question: How can I make sure my photo has the right file size?

Most photos straight from a camera will be too large. We don't accept them because they take up too much space on the webserver, take too long to upload (and may fail after a long wait for you) and take too long to download when others want to look at them. Most cameras will come with software that will allow you to do this, otherwise, I have used IrfanView in the past.