How to Make Friendship Bracelets – Friendship bracelets are that classic summer camp craft that you’ll want to make all year long! Whether you loved making them as a kid or are learning to make them for the first time, this easy DIY tutorial will teach you everything you need to know about making friendship bracelets.
Making friendship bracelets is a fun DIY craft project because it’s easy to learn, easy to take with you anywhere, and easy to share with your friends. It’s definitely one of those “rites of passage” activities that we all do at sleepovers and summer camps. Plus, they make great gifts for your best friends!
Once you learn the basic techniques, check out these easy friendship bracelet patterns. From simple braids to fancy diamond patterns, there’s no limit to the beautiful friendship bracelets you can create!
Table of Contents
Gather Your Supplies
You don’t need a lot to get started making fun friendship bracelets. All you need is some embroidery floss, and something to hold your bracelet still while you make the knots. Here are favorite tried-and-true supplies:
- embroidery floss or string
- clipboard, safety pin, or masking tape
- letter beads or charms (optional)
To make things easier on yourself, you could also pick up a convenient friendship bracelet kit.
Alternating Half Hitch Friendship Bracelet
Step 1
Cut 2 strands of embroidery floss about 5 ft long, fold in half and knot in the middle to make a loop. Secure with tape to a table or board.
Step 2
Cord 1 is on the left (both pink strands) Cord 2 is on the right (both blue strands). Cord 1 is the holding cord.
Step 3
Use Cord 2 to tie a Half Hitch. A Half Hitch is tied by moving Cord 2 under the holding cord (pink)…
Step 4
…then over it, and back under Cord 2 on the right.
Step 5
Pull Cord 2 up to tighten. Keep the Cord 2 end on the right when you are done.
Step 6
For the second knot, Cord 2 becomes the holding cord. Use Cord 1 to tie a Half Hitch by moving Cord 1 under the holding cord.
Step 7
Flip Cord 1 over Cord 2, then back under Cord 1 on the left.
Step 8
Pull Cord 1 up to tighten. Keep the Cord 1 end on the left when you are done.
Continue to alternate back and forth between the two cords to form the rest of the bracelet.
5-Strand Braid Friendship Bracelet
Step 1
Cut 5 strands of embroidery floss about 4 ft long, fold in half and knot at the middle to make a loop. Secure with tape to a table or board.
Step 2
You will braid using two same-color lengths of cord as one piece. Make sure that the two cords lie flat next to each other as you braid. Arrange the cords so that there are 3 pairs on the left and 2 pairs on the right, in any color order you like.
Step 3
The first pair of Working Cords is from the far left (yellow). Bring the Working Cords over the next pair to its right (turquoise) and then under the following pair to the right (purple).
Step 4
Pull the Working Pair over to the right side. You now have 2 pairs on the left and 3 pairs on the right.
Step 5
Pick up new Working Cords from the far right (blue) and work right-to-left this time. Bring the Working Cords over the next pair to its left (pink) and then under the following pair to the left (yellow).
Step 6
Pull the Working Pair over to the left side. You now have 3 pairs on the left and 2 pairs on the right. Starting with the new leftmost Working Pair (turquoise), repeat these steps until your bracelet reaches your desired length.
Diagonal Friendship Bracelet
Step 1
Cut 5 strands of embroidery floss about 6 ft long, fold in half.
Step 2
Knot at the middle to make a loop. Tighten your knot and secure with tape to a table or board.
Step 3
Lay out cords in your preferred order. You will knot using two same-color lengths of cord as one piece.
Step 4
Start on the far left side using the outermost color as your Working Cords (pink). Make a Forward Knot by creating a 4-shape over the 2nd color (yellow).
Step 5
Loop the Working Cords under the Holding Cords (yellow) and through the opening.
Step 6
Pull up on the Working Cords to tighten. Repeat the forward knot a second time on the same Holding Cords (yellow)
Step 7
After tying 2 forward knots on the first pair of Holding Cords, move your Working Cords (pink) over to the next color of Holding Cords (turquoise). Make a Forward Knot by creating a 4-shape over the cords (turquoise).
Step 8
Loop the Working Cords (pink) under the Holding Cords (turquoise) and through the opening.
Step 9
Pull up on the Working Cords (pink) to tighten. Repeat the forward knot a second time on the same Holding Cords (turquoise).
Step 10
After tying 2 forward knots on the second set of Holding Cords, move your Working Cords (pink) over to the next color of Holding Cords (blue). Make a Forward Knot by creating a 4-shape over the cords (blue).
Step 11
Loop the Working Cords (pink) under the Holding Cords (blue) and through the opening.
Step 12
Pull up on the Working Cords (pink) to tighten. Repeat the forward knot a second time on the same Holding Cords (blue).
Step 13
After tying 2 forward knots on the third pair of Holding Cords, move your Working Cords (pink) over to the next color of Holding Cords (purple). Make a Forward Knot by creating a 4-shape over the cords (purple).
Step 14
Loop the Working Cords (pink) under the Holding Cords (purple) and through the opening.
Step 15
Pull up on the Working Cords (pink) to tighten. Repeat the forward knot a second time on the same Holding Cords (purple).
Step 16
Being careful to keep your cords in order, pick up your new set of Working Cords (yellow) from the far left and repeat these steps until your bracelet reaches your desired length.
Conclusion
Friendship bracelets originate from Central America, namely Guatemala, and made their way to the States only as recently as the 1970s. Friendship bracelets are a form of macrame since the woven patterns are created by knots. It is traditional to make and give a bracelet to a friend as a sign of long-lasting companionship.