Extra Marking for Japanese Temari patterns

While many temari are worked on any one of the Standard Divisions, it is also common to add extra marking lines to create different design paths. Some sets of extra marking lines have become a bit more common and it's handy to be able to work them out.

This one shows up in many books and references - it has 20 faces using a combination of 2 regular hexagons (one each at the north and south poles), 12 irregular pentagons and 6 irregular hexagons (that track around the equator).

Prepare a wrapped mari with a Simple 12 division but use waste thread to lay down the S12 lines since you will remove them when the marking is complete. Don't mark the equator but do place pins at the equator points on each vertical line (orange pins). Determine the distance from the equator to the NP and pin out 1/3 of this distance on every other marking line (yellow pins A B). Do this on both north and south hemispheres.

On the alternate marking lines (without pins at this point), place a pin 1/4 the distance of pole to equator on either side of the equator pins - these pins are labeled "C" in the photo at left.


Using your good thread, stitch the outline of the regular pentagon around the north pole. When complete, take the thread down to one of the B pins. Stitch the zig zag from Pins B to C etc around to where you began.

Repeat the zig zag line around the B and C pins on the southern hemisphere, and also stitch the regular hexagon around the south pole.

Connect the zig zag lines, forming the sides of the pentagons and hexagons and the marking is complete as shown in the photos at the start. Remove the waste thread S12 lines but you may wish to be sure to keep the accurate north and south pole pins in place, depending on what you are going to stitch. You can also add centered crossing lines in any or all of the hexagons and pentagons (for example to stitch a kiku design). Use the diagonals from corner to corner in each face, sure to align the center intersection in the middle of the face.

Remember that the important part of setting up this marking is the pin placement - whatever drection or track you find works for you to add your marking line thread is just fine.