Ashiuchidai

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The ashiuchi is not really a braiding stand, it is a braiding helper. When you are creating a braid using one of the loop-manipulation techniques that are now known as "kute-uchi", it's difficult to create a braid that is longer than a few feet because you have to tighten the stitches by spreading your hands apart. You could have a human helper beat the stitches into place with their hand, but the ashiuchidai holds the beater and the far end of the braid while you work the beater yourself by tugging on a string with your foot.

This one is made from pine, mostly scrap wood from other projects. I cut most of the joinery by hand to practice dovetailing.

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Here's an image from the Loop Manipulation Braiding Research and Information center that shows a slightly different style of ashiuchidai.