How to Make a Heart-Patterned Friendship Bracelet
Add the symbol of love to your next friendship bracelet by incorporating hearts into the design. Swap bracelets with your friends or with someone you want to be friends with to show you care about them. Make a heart-patterned friendship bracelet with two colors of embroidery floss and cotton string that is thinner than yarn but thicker than thread. Work on both forward and backwards knots to form the heart designs.
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Things You'll Need
- 4 strands of embroidery floss in two colors, 65 inches long
- Clipboard or masking tape
Instructions
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Hold the four strands of 65-inch colored embroidery floss together. Fold the strands in half, giving you eight strands. Tie a knot at the fold. Leave a looped tail at least 1 1/2 inches long.
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Clip the tail to a clipboard's clip. It is easier to form the knots if the top is secured. If you do not have a clipboard, use masking tape on a book or cardboard.
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Name one color A and the second color B to easily follow the instructions. Arrange the two colors, A and B, into a pattern on your clipboard. Move the strands around before you start tying the knots. The pattern should be starting from the left side, ABABBABA. The two outer strands of floss are the same color, and the two center strands are the same other color.
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Knot the far right strand to the strand to its left. Be sure to bring the far right strand over the left strand, which is called a backwards knot. Knot the two strands again for a double knot. The far right strand has now moved to the left. Use it to create a backwards knot with the new left strand. Be sure it is a double knot. Now the strand has moved to the left again. Use it to double-knot the new left strand.
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Hold the far left strand, and knot it with the strand to its right. Be sure to bring the left strand over the right strand for a forward knot. Knot it again for a double knot. The far left strand has moved to the right. Use it to double knot the next strand to its right. Then, double-knot the next strand to the right.
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Repeat the three backwards knots starting with the far right strand. Repeat the three forward knots starting from the far left side. Be sure that every time you knot two strands, they are double knots. Otherwise, the bracelet curls. You should see some V-patterns.
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Hold the strand second to the far right. Create a forward knot with the strand on the left. Be sure it is a double knot. The pattern of the strand colors should be ABABBAAB. Pick up the strand second to the far left. Tie a backwards knot with the strand to its left. Be sure it is a double knot. The pattern is now BAABBAAB.
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Double-knot the second to the far right strand with the strand to its left. This is a backwards knot. Then make a backwards knot to the next strand to the left. Be sure it is double-knotted. Take the strand second to the far left, and make forward knots to the each of the three strands to its right. The pattern is now BABAABAB.
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Tie a forward knot with the second far right strand to the far right strand. Tie a backwards knot with the second far left strand with the far left strand. You should start to see a heart shape and the top of a new heart forming.
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Tie two backwards knots with the second far right strand with the two strands to its left. Then, make three forward knots with the second far left strand and the three strands to its right. The pattern is now ABABBABA.
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Continue the heart pattern until you have approximately 2 inches left of floss.
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Tips & Warnings
To end the bracelet, divide the floss strands into two sections. Braid each section to complete.
Instead of a clipboard, use a safety pin to secure the bracelet to a pillow for easy knotting.
Have a friendship bracelet crafting party and then swap bracelets.
Young children may need help from an adult for this craft.
References
Resources
- "How to Make Friendship Bracelets"; Véronique Follet, 2010
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
