To read the pattern:

The large numbered circle is the mirror (top of  the Marudai), or the top of the slotted disk, if you were looking down from the top. 

The smaller circles around the bigger one are your thread(s) wrapped on your tama or set in a slot on the slotted disk.

A pattern is composed of several sets of tedori or movements of threads.

Each numbered circle is one set of movements.

Each set of movements has 2 parts, traditionally the left hand movement and the right hand movement.  The little circle labeled "A" is the left hand and the little circle labeled "B"  is the right hand.

Once you complete a set of movements you just keep repeating them over and over until you've completed your cord.  Do not reset the colors to the initial color set up.  Each Thread  rotates around in the braid and will eventually get back to it's original starting point. 

 

Spiral Braid Pattern  

 

How to set up a Braid & to start Braiding

Pick 2 contrasting colors so you can follow the pattern as you braid.

Measure out 2 lengths of  each color of yarn  to 4 times as long as you want the finished braid.   Fold them in half you should now have 8 ends  4 of each color.  This amount  is a good starting point to take care of the amount of take up or "braid shrinkage"  but, each pattern will have different take up rates. 

With another piece of string  tie  the cords at the fold.  Leave  enough of this string so you can put some tension on your cord as you braid either by hanging a counterweightfrom it or by just holding onto it with your hand. 

Put the tied end of your thread bundle  through the center hole from the top down.  Place each thread in a slot according to "setup 1" to the right.

You are now ready to Braid.

I remembered to update my page on 5/26/2013

How to read a Braiding Chart

&

The Spiral Braid

(This part is the most recent edit on the handout.  The info in this section is what I usually talk people through  in the class. However, with the distances involved in the SCA, I thought adding this part would help enormously.)  

The simplest and quickest braid to start with is the spiral round braid.

Walking thru a pattern.

Look at "circle 1".   Move  thread  "A"  to where the arrow is at.  There will now be 3 threads at the top of the disk and 1 thread at the bottom.

 

Next move  thread "B" down to the bottom of the disk. This completes the first movement. There will be 2 threads on top, bottom and each side.

Now move thread "A" in Circle 2,  then thread "B" in Circle 2.

You've now completed one complete pattern for a spiral braid.  Keep repeating  this same pattern until you have a braid to the length you want it. The threads will rotate around the disk as you keep repeating the pattern.

Now try the other set ups 2, 3, and 4 to see how changing where the colors start will change the overall pattern.