Friendship Bracelet Tutorial

For Maria, who said she'd like to learn how to make them :)

How to make a basic friendship bracelet:
1. Equipment


I use embroidery threads; you can get them from most sewing stores or craft shops. Most of mine come from Hobbycraft. Choose the colours you want to work with – in these pictures I’m using two different colours. You’ll also need a stiff piece of cardboard or a hardbacked book and a clip, so you’ll have something to secure the threads to, to keep them tight.

2. Preparing the threads The board I’m using is roughly A4 sized, and I measure my threads by going top to bottom and back up again (this means I have plenty of spare at the end but I have quite small wrists. If in doubt, cut more than I have just in case). I’m using six threads to make a medium width bracelet, but you can use more if you like. Using more will take longer!

3. Arranging the threads Lay the threads side by side down the board, with at least the length of your thumb overhanging (leaving more over the edge will make finishing the bracelet easier). Fold the overhang behind the back of the board and clip it down.
4. The Knot
This type of bracelet only needs one knot, repeated until it’s long enough. First, take the first and second threads.
Then, lay the first thread over the top of the second. Take the first string behind the second, and through the loop shown above.
Now, pulling both threads tight, gently pull the first thread upwards and bring the knot to the top.

Repeat this step so that you have knotted around the second thread two times. Now you do the same thing with the first and third threads - take the first thread down the entire row (remember to knot the first thread around each other thread twice)
When you have reached the end of the row, you will have a new first thread (our first thread here is now grey instead of purple) Taking your new first thread, repeat the knotting process. Continue knotting a new thread across each row (as above) until the bracelet is long enough to fit around your wrist.

5. Finishing the bracelet
Split the threads into three groups, and plait a couple of inches for you to tie it on with. Tie a knot at the end of the plait when you have enough to tie with.

Finished! \o/