How to Make Friendship Bracelets With Embroidery Floss

Yellow, pink and purple bracelet

Friendship bracelets have been a popular craft and exchange item between friends for years. They have a satiny look when made with embroidery floss. It is quite easy to make a friendship bracelet with three to six colors of floss. After you get comfortable using the method shown below there are many kinds of knots to use in making bracelets. You can make your friendship bracelet in rainbow, Christmas, Halloween, pastel or school colors.

Things You'll Need

• embroidery floss
• clipboard or other flat sturdy surface
• tape (if not using clipboard)
• beads

Instructions

1. 

   Cut three18- to 24-inch pieces of embroidery floss. Make sure the ends line up evenly.

2. 

   Hold the three ends together and tie a very secure knot with a 1-inch tail. Secure the knotted end into the clipboard to hold cords in place, or tape the knotted end down to a sturdy surface.

3. 

   Separate the three strands. Pick up the outside left hand yellow strand and form the letter 4 shape over the adjoining strand.

4. 

   Pull the end of strand one up through the center of its 4 shape. Pull the embroidery floss up until the strand tightens at the top, just under the main knot. This will slide smoothly.

5. 

   Make the 4 shape over the third, far right strand. Pull the cord end through the center and tighten the cord.

6. Continue the pattern with strand 2, pink cord. Make the 4 shape, pull the end through the center and pull the cord up the adjoining strands. Repeat with the third purple cord.

7. Make the bracelet as long as you want it to be. You can carefully remove it from the clipboard to test it for your own wrist. Tie a secure square knot at the end. Move down one inch and tie a second knot. Trim the ends to match the other side. You can pull the knot from the first end of the bracelet between the two knots at the other end to encircle your wrist and secure it in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to secure the bracelet end well or it will keep slipping out of the clip or tape. When you are comfortable with this technique you can use 5 to 6 strands for your bracelet. Add beads by threading a needle on to one color strand at a time and place a bead on needle. Pull the bead on to the cord and work it into the bracelet.