How to Make a Reggae Friendship Bracelet

Reggae music unofficially adopted the colors of the Rasta movement.

Reggae music often goes hand-in-hand with the principles of Rasta. This religious and cultural movement’s ideals were spread throughout the world by way of this musical genre, and as the movement grew, so did the popularity of the Rastafari colors red, golden yellow, green and black. Each color in the motif was chosen for its symbolism and significance in the Rasta movement. This color scheme dominates clothing and musical posters in the Reggae genre today.

Things You'll Need

• 1 red string, 25 inches
• 1 yellow string, 25 inches
• 1 green string, 25 inches
• 1 black string, 25 inches
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Gather your strings together and line up the ends at the top and bottom. Tie all strings together in a knot, 1 1/2 inches from one end.

2. Separate your strings and place them in the following order: red, yellow, green and black. Number them 1 through 4 from left to right.

3. Cross String 1 over String 2, so the two together form the shape of a 4. Thread the tail of String 1 through the hole in the 4. Pull String 1 from its tail to tighten until a knot is formed. Repeat to make a double knot. You will use this forward double-knot for every knot throughout the remainder of the bracelet. String 1 ends up on the right of String 2; do not re-number the strings.

4. Tie String 1 -- the red string -- onto String 3 in the same manner as you tied it onto String 2. You get a second red knot, and String 1 ends up to the right of String 3. Finish the row by tying String 1 onto String 4. You end up with String 1 all the way on the right, and a row of three red knots.

5. Re-number your strings after completing the row; the yellow string becomes String 1, green is String 2, and so on. Repeat all previous steps to tie String 1 onto each of the other strings, until it ends up at the end of the row. Re-number after the row is complete; the color of String 1 determines the color of the row.

6. Continue making rows until the bracelet is as long as you want. Gather the strings together at the end and tie in a single knot at the bottom of the bracelet.

7. Trim the excess string, leaving a short tail of approximately 1 1/2 inches. Bring both tails together and tie in a double knot to secure your bracelet.

Tips & Warnings

• Pin or tape the top of your bracelet to a sturdy surface to hold it still while you work.

References

• “Chanting Down Babylon: The Rastafari Reader”; Nathaniel Samuel Murrell; 1998
• Reggae Trends; Rastafarian Colors - Red, Gold, and Green; December 2010
• “Friendship Bracelets”; Laura Torres; 1996