How to Make Woven String Bracelets

Woven string bracelets, or friendship bracelets as they are sometimes called, are one of the simplest types of jewelry anyone can make. Requiring only string or embroidery floss, none of the typical clamps or closures are involved. After choosing the colors that are right for you or your friend, your bracelet can be finished in a short afternoon. The cost is low and the skill is practically effortless to create personalized and colorful string bracelets.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Embroidery floss (seven different colors)
• Scissors
• Safety pin
• Old towel, pillow, or blanket

Weaving your bracelet

1. 
   Pin the bracelet to hold it in place.

   Clip each color of floss to measure about 16 inches long. Tie the strands together in a large knot (five to six knots should give the correct thickness of the knot). The knot will become part of the closure for the bracelet so if the knot is not large enough it may slip off your wrist.

2. 
   Make your loops.

   Place a towel, pillow or blanket across your lap and pin the knot of the bracelet with the safety pin to it. This will keep the bracelet in place and allow you to use some extra tension when needed. Spread the strands out and place them in the color order you desire. Keep in mind that the colors on the ends will be next to one another also so be careful not to clump your dark or light strands together unintentionally.

3. Begin by lifting the first thread on the left and draping it to the right over the second thread. With your left hand, reach above the drape, closer to the pin than the tails of the strands, and pull strand one back under the second strand. Hold strand two with your right hand and with your left hand pull strand one tight and allow it to slide up as it loops toward the knot.

4. Move strand two over to the left and continue by draping strand one over strand three and repeating the process until you pull toward the knot again. Move strand three to the left and continue until strand one has made it all the way to the right.

5. 
   Your pattern starts to show quickly.

   Begin the process again using the old strand two as the new strand one. Keep the strands well spread apart as you work down the rows to prevent the bracelet from curling.

6. 
   This final step means it's ready to wear.

   Once the bracelet is as long as you need it to be for your size wrists (approximately 7 to 8 inches), twist the remaining strands together. Loop the twisted strands over your finger and tie one last knot between the bracelet and the twist. Use this loop when closing the bracelet by pushing the initial knot through the hole. Clip any excess thread.