How to Make a Vertical Stripe Friendship Bracelet

Children often make bracelets for each other to signify their friendship.

For young girls, nothing solidifies a friendship better than a handmade bracelet. Children love making and wearing friendship bracelets, but they aren't just for kids. Adults can also weave beautiful bracelets in their favorite colors. There are countless patterns for friendship bracelets, but a popular one is the vertical stripe. The stripes appear vertical as you work the bracelet, but are horizontal when the bracelet is worn. The pattern is not only elegant but also easy, since it only requires one basic knot.

Things You'll Need

• 60-inch strand of embroidery floss in color A
• 60-inch strand of embroidery floss in color B
• 60-inch strand of embroidery floss in color C
• 60-inch strand of embroidery floss in color D
• Masking tape

Instructions

1. Lay four 60-inch strands of different-colored embroidery floss on top of each other, lining up the ends evenly. Fold the strands in half together.

2. Make an overhand knot near the folded end. A small loop should extend outward from one side of the knot and eight loose strands should extend out of the other side.

3. Position the knot so that the eight loose strands face you. Tape the loop to a solid surface so the bracelet is anchored as you weave. Separate the strands so that the two strands of each color are next to one another in an AABBCCDD pattern.

4. Tie a forward-backward knot with the two left-most strands. Do this by bending the left-most strand in the pair to the right so it lies across the other strand, creating a space between the two strands. Bring the end around the back of the other strand and upward through the space. Then bend the right-most strand in the pair so it lies across the other strand, creating a space. Bring the end around the back of the other strand and upward through the space.

5. Tie forward-backward knots with each pair of strands across, making three more knots for a total of four knots in the row.

6. Set the two outer strands aside by pulling them up. They won't be worked in this row. Tie forward-backward knots with the two left-most strands and with each pair of strands across. There will be three knots total in this row. Bring the two outer strands back down.

7. Repeat Steps 4 through 6 until the bracelet is the desired length.

8. Braid the four strands on the left together. Do this by holding two strands together as one and plaiting a three-strand braid. Continue until the braid is about 2 inches long.

9. Repeat Step 8 with the four strands on the right. Secure the ends of each braid with an overhand knot, and trim the loose ends.

10. Wrap the bracelet around your wrist. Insert one of the braids through the loop you made in Step 2 and tie the two braids together to finish.

References

• Friendship-Bracelets.net: Pattern #477
• How to Make Jewelry: Friendship Bracelet Instructions