How to Make a Heart Friendship Bracelet With Five Colors
A handmade friendship bracelet is an ultimately personal gift to bestow upon a close companion for any occasion. Show a friend how much you care by taking the time to craft a one-of-a-kind accessory in his favorite colors, styled to his personality. You can demonstrate your deepest loving emotions for your best friends, a significant other or members of your family quite literally with a repeating heart-patterned friendship bracelet.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 12 strings in a single color, 60 inches
- 1 string in a second color, 60 inches
- 1 string in a third color, 60 inches
- 1 string in a fourth color, 60 inches
- 1 string in a fifth color, 60 inches
- Scissors
Instructions
-
-
1
Gather the strings together so the ends are aligned, and tie them in a collective knot an inch from one end. Arrange the strings in the following order: one string of Color 1, one string of Color 2, three strings of Color 1, one string of Color 3, three strings of Color 1, one string of Color 4, three strings of Color 1, one string of Color 5 and two strings of Color 1. Number these strings 1 through 16.
-
2
Isolate String 2. Tie a single backward knot onto String 1, then tie a single forward knot onto String 1 so String 2 ends up back where it started. This double knot is known as a "backward forward knot" because of its direction reversal.
-
-
3
Isolate String 3. Tie a single forward knot onto String 4, then reverse your direction and tie a single backward knot onto String 4. Your strings will be in the same place as before. This double knot is called a "forward backward knot."
-
4
Complete the first row by tying Strings 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 onto the strings to their right using a forward backward knot. Tie String 16 onto String 15 with a backward forward knot. All the first row strings will be in their original positions when you finish the row.
-
5
Skip String 1 to begin the second row. Tie String 2 onto String 3 with a forward backward knot. Tie String 5 onto String 4 with a backward forward knot, and do the same for Strings 7 and 6. Use a forward backward knot to tie String 8 onto String 9, then reverse directions and use a backward forward knot to tie String 11 to String 10. Tie String 12 onto String 13 with a forward backward knot, and finish the row with a backward forward knot trying String 15 onto String 14. Do not use String 16.
-
6
Begin the third row with the same knot as the first row, String 2 backward and forward onto String 1. Remember to always complete your double knots. Use backward forward knots for the pairs of Strings 4 and 3, 6 and 5 as well as 8 and 7. Tie String 9 onto String 10 with a forward backward knot, use a backward forward knot for Strings 12 and 11, then return to a forward backward method for Strings 13 and 14. Tie String 16, unused in the last row, in a backward forward knot onto String 15.
-
7
Begin the fourth row by skipping String 1 and knotting String 3 onto String 2 with a backward forward knot. Use forward backward knots for the next three pairs —Strings 4 through 9 — and continue by tying String 11 onto String 10 backward and forward. Use a forward backward knot for Strings 12 and 13, then use a backward forward knot again for Strings 15 and 14. Leave String 16 out of the row.
-
8
Start the fifth row. Tie the first two strings together with a forward backward knot, then use backward forward knots for Strings 4 onto 3 and 6 onto 5. Tie String 7 onto String 8, forward and backward, then complete two more backward forward knot pairs (10 onto 9, 12 onto 11). Use a forward backward knot for Strings 13 and 14, then tie String 16 onto String 15 with a backward forward knot.
-
9
Complete the sixth row by using backward forward knots to tie String 3 onto 2, String 5 onto 4 and String 7 onto 6. Follow up with forward backward knots to tie String 8 onto 9, String 10 onto 11 and String 12 onto 13. Finish the row with a backward forward knot attaching String 15 onto String 14.
-
10
Tie Strings 1, 3, 5 and 11 onto their subsequent strings with a forward backward knot. Tie Strings 8, 10, 14 and 16 onto their preceding strings with a backward forward knot to finish the seventh row. Complete these from left to right, if desired, or in the order that makes the most sense to you within the row.
-
11
Complete the eighth row by using backward forward knots to tie Strings 3, 5, 7 and 11 onto the strings that precede them and forward backward knots to tie Strings 8, 12 and 14 onto the strings to their right.
-
12
Use forward backward knots in the ninth row to tie Strings 1, 3, 5 and 9 to the strings that follow them and backward forward knots to attach Strings 8, 12, 14 and 16 to the strings immediately before them.
-
13
Begin row 10 by using backward forward knots to tie String 3 onto 2, String 5 onto 4, String 7 onto 6, String 11 onto 10 and String 15 onto 14. Use forward backward knots only to tie String 8 onto 9 and String 12 onto 13.
-
14
Repeat these patterns for rows 1 through 10 until your bracelet is the length you desire. Tie the remaining strings in a knot close to the end of the pattern. Trim a 1.5-inch tail. Tie the beginning and ending tails together to secure your bracelet.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use more string for a larger-than-average wrist.
Use hues for Colors 2 through 5 that greatly contrast with Color 1 so they stand out against it.
Pin or tape your bracelet to a stable surface as you work.
Do not attempt this advanced bracelet pattern until you’ve mastered simpler friendship bracelet techniques.
References
- Photo Credit Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
