Kumihimo Necklaces

Braided necklaces made from strips from recycled saris from a women’s cooperative in Nepal.

Braided necklaces made from strips from recycled saris from a women’s cooperative in Nepal.

Old clothing into new jewelry

I have used this wonderful reclaimed fiber, produced sustainably and responsibly in women’s cooperatives in Nepal and India, for some of my large net installations. The colors and texture are fun to work with and I was looking for a more practical thing to do with the strips, so I started making kumihimo - traditional Japanese braided cordage - in lengths that can be worn as multi-strand necklaces.

Kumihimo is a simple technique that can be quite complicated, depending on how many strands you use and which pattern you are making.

Kumihimo is a simple technique that can be quite complicated, depending on how many strands you use and which pattern you are making.

I love the changing shades and textures of the final braided surface with fabric ends sticking out where strips were sewn or knotted together.

I love the changing shades and textures of the final braided surface with fabric ends sticking out where strips were sewn or knotted together.