How to Make a Braided Friendship Bracelet Using Loops
Making friendship bracelets is a form of macrame that requires very little experience and equipment. The practice of using knot-making for jewelry has been around for centuries, though it only became popular in the United States in the form of friendship bracelets during the 1970s. The options for color, size and pattern for friendship bracelets are endless, but the basic three-strand braid from a looped end is among the simplest patterns.
Things You'll Need
- Embroidery thread, three colors of your choice
- Fabric tape measure
- Scissors
- Old pillow
- Safety pin
Instructions
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1
Cut two 60-inch lengths of each of the three thread colors, using the fabric measuring tape to measure the thread. You should now have six 60-inch pieces of thread.
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2
Gather the six threads together and fold them all in half so that one end is a loop and the other end has 12 cut thread ends.
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3
Tie a tight double-knot about 1/2 inch from the looped end. You should now have a 1/2-inch loop with six pieces of thread in it, then a secure knot, then a very long tail with 12 loose pieces of thread.
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4
Pin the loop into your old pillow with the safety pin. This will hold the piece in place while you work.
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5
Separate the tail into the three colors to make three strands. Each strand should have four threads, all of the same color.
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6
Braid the three strands together until the braid is long enough to fit comfortably around your wrist. This is the length of the bracelet itself.
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7
Divide the remaining thread into two strands, each strand with two threads of each color. Braid each strand so you have two 3-to-6-inch braids coming off the end of the large one. Tie firm double-knots into the end of each small braid. These small braids are for tying the end into the loop at the other end.
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8
Cut the excess thread beyond the double-knots at the ends of the small braids. Your braided friendship bracelet is now complete. Have a friend tie it around your wrist (or give it to a friend!) by knotting the small braids into the loop.
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Tips & Warnings
As you are braiding the bracelet itself, hold the threads taut. This will make the braid tight and the bracelet more durable. Pulling the threads too tight, however, will cause the bracelet to curl.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
