How to Make a Twisted Cord Friendship Bracelet or Belt

Twisted cord is a technique you often hear in knitting and crochet pattern instructions. It consists of taking two pieces of yarn and making a stronger 4-ply twisted cord that is great for drawstrings, ties, etc ... Once you learn the basic technique (which is so easy) you can make friendship bracelets, belts, headbands, dog leashes, curtain ties, and most useful ... replace missing drawstrings on pants and jackets that go mysteriously missing in the laundry.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Yarn or other pliable cord that will twist around itself easily.
• ink pen, pencil or marker

1. Cut two pieces or yarn around four times the desired length. For a Friendship Bracelet, around 35." The two cords can be contrasting colors if you want a striped effect.

2. The basic premise or a twisted cord friendship bracelet or belt is easy. You want to twist and twist and twist the two yarns around until it is very taut and almost wouldn't twist another twist. You can do this several ways.

3. For a short little friendship bracelet, a child could sit and twist with their hands. Or, two children can do it together, twisting on each end. You can either hold it steady with one and twist with the other, or if you are really manually nimble, you can twist each end at the same time, of course one goes one way and the other goes the other way! I did a bunch of these to sell at a school craft fair while I watched television.

4. 
   You can tie yarn around a pen to twist it.

   You can also tie one end around a pen or marker to twist, while holding the other end steady. I have to it that way with carpel tunnel syndrome now. If you are doing a longer piece of twisted cord or want to make a belt and don't have another set of helping hands, you can tie one end to the doorknob or bedpost and a pen to the other. Frankly, this is the easiest way to do it and control the tautness. Just remember to add around 6 inches extra to tie round the door knob and around 3 inches to tie around a pen.

5. OK, what next .... you have twisted your yarns together and if you let go, it will untwist. Now, what we are going to do seems awkward the first time, but it is really a simple thing. You will grab the piece in the center, while holding the other two ends in the other hand. Now releasing the two ends, allow the pieces to twist around each other, forming a twisted cord of 4 thicknesses or ply.

6. Again catch the ends of the piece in each hand, and then tie a knot with all 4 thicknesses on each end to secure things. Trim. for a belt, you may want a larger knot and longer tail ends, where a friendship bracelet is uncomfortable with big knots.

7. You can also make two ties at once for baby booties or something by cutting a long twisted cord into two pieces. You have to tie knots on each side of where you will cut, or it will come unwound.
   Many knitters and crocheters make very beautiful tightly-wound twisted cord out of thin yarn for ties on apparel.