How to Make Friend Bracelets

Friend bracelets are a time-honored way of showing mutual love and appreciation among friends. Traditional friendship bracelets are braided with multiple colors of thread, and charms may be scattered throughout the weaving. Typical charms include initials of the names of your friends, special charm icons which represent something (such as a heart or a key), or found objects that are exchanged among friends (like a small feather). Bracelets are either knotted around the wrist so they cannot be removed, or held with a clasp.

Things You'll Need

• 3 colors of strong thread (such as embroidery thread)
• Small lobster clasp
• Tape
• Scissors
• Charm(s)

Instructions

1. Place the three colors of string side-by-side. Knot the loose ends together, and attach them to one end of the lobster clasp. Tape the knotted end to a table or flat, stable surface. Pull the strings taut and snip the string at a length of approximately 1.5 feet.

2. Begin the braid just underneath the clasp, pulling the strings tight as you braid. Begin with the string on the left, pull it over the middle string, then pull the string on the right over the (new) middle string, repeating with the (new) string on the left, and so on.

3. Thread the charm(s) onto the string that is currently in the middle when you reach the approximate middle of the bracelet (measure it as you go to see where the middle will be on your wrist). Continue braiding on the other side of the charm(s).

4. Knot the bracelet when you have reached the end (when it wraps all the way around your wrist). Fasten the strings onto the other end of the lobster clasp.

Tips & Warnings

• When threading letter charms onto the bracelet, make sure they are facing the correct direction, depending on how you plan to wear the bracelet.

References

• Kaboose: Easy Braided Friendship Bracelet