How to Make a Four String Square Friendship Bracelet
Friendship bracelets have been popular handmade gifts among children and teenagers for decades. Once you learn the initial knot work, they are easy to make. The repetitive knot patterns in friendship bracelets are known as "macrame." Hemp string is commonly used for these bracelets. Beginners should work on square knots for their friendship bracelets. You can find hemp string in a wide variety of different colors at craft supply stores.
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Instructions
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1
Measure 1 yard of the hemp string and cut. Cut an additional three 1-yard strings.
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2
Hold the top ends of string together with your right hand. Pinch them, 2 inches down, with your left hand. Make an overhand knot with the strings in this 2-inch space.
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3
Pinch your knot in a clipboard. This will hold your knot in place while you knot the bracelet.
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4
Pull the outermost stands of hemp out to the sides and pull them down to the center together. The two strings in the center are known, collectively, as the "bead carrier." The string on the outermost right side is called the "right hand knotter." The strand on the outermost left side is the "left hand knotter."
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5
Position your left forefinger underneath the bead carrier and hold your left hand knotter between your right thumb and forefinger, 1 inch down from the top knot.
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6
Pull the left hand knotter loosely over the bead carrier strands so the slack curves into a "C" shape. Hold the end of the "C" in place on the bead carrier strands with your left thumb. The remainder of your left hand knotter string should trail down on the right side of the bead carrier strands.
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7
Direct the right hand knotter over the trailing left hand knotter on the right side of the bead carrier strands. Pull the right hand knotter under the bead carrier and up through the center of the "C" shaped loop on the left side of the bead carrier.
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8
Pull on the left and right hand knotters simultaneously to draw the knots closed.
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9
Position your left middle finger underneath the bead carrier strands. Make another "C" shaped loop with your left hand knotter strand by sliding the string under the bead carrier strands, rather than over. The left hand knotter should now sit between your left middle finger and the bead carrier strands.
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10
Lay the trailing end of the left hand knotter over your right forefinger. Drape the left hand knotter down over the right hand knotter. Pull the right hand knotter up through the center of the "C" shaped loop on the left side of the bead carrier.
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11
Pull the left and right hand knotter down simultaneously to draw the knots closed.
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12
Repeat Steps 5 through 11 until you reach the last 3 inches of the strings. Place your forefinger on top of the strings and pull the strings back over your finger. Tie a tight, overhand knot to hold the loop open.
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13
Release the top knot from the clipboard. Insert the top knot through the knotted end loop.
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References
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