How to Make a Friendship Bracelet With the Zipper Stitch

Make your best friend a friendship bracelet to show that you care.

The zipper stitch is a type of stitch that's used when working with gimp, a type of flat plastic “string” used to create lanyards, key chains and even friendship bracelets. The zipper stitch requires two different colors of gimp so that you can see the design, which resembles a closed zipper. Create a friendship bracelet for your closest friend, using their favorite colors to make it more personalized.

Things You'll Need

• Two colors of gimp string
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cut four pieces of gimp to make your bracelet. Cut two pieces that are the same color and make them slightly longer than you want your bracelet. Cut another piece out using a different color--this piece should be three times the length of the first two pieces.

2. Place the ends of all three strands of gimp together and tie a knot at the top to secure them together. Arrange the strands so that one short strand is on the left, the other short strand is in the middle and the long strand is on the right.

3. Bring the long strand over the center strand and under the left strand. Pull the string taught under the left strand. Return, bringing the long strand over the short strand in the center, and under the right strand. Pull the string taught.

4. Continue this stitch bringing the long strand back and forth until you reach the end of the short strands.

5. Tie a knot at the end of your zipper stitch bracelet. Use the remaining tails of gimp and tie them to the tails at the start to create your bracelet.

References

• Laneyards: The Zipper Stitch