Ways to Braid String

Friendship bracelets made of string are a popular child's craft that involves braiding

Braiding string is a popular way to make chokers, belts, trims for clothing and string bracelets, which are also called friendship bracelets. Braiding differs from weaving or knotting (which is essentially fastening) string. Braiding involves intertwining strings. Weaving, on the other hand, is done by interlacing strings; this is how cloth is created. String, because it is so flexible, is an ideal medium for braiding, and many ways to braid string exist.

Basic Flat Braid

The basic flat braid uses three strands of string in your choice of colors. Lay the strings straight alongside one another. Bring the string on the right over the center string and under the left string. The middle string should now be on the right. Loop that over the new middle string and under the new left string. Repeat until there is no more string.

Basic round or square braid

Using four strings, take the string on the right and loop it over and then under the third string. Then bring the same string under and over the fourth string. Repeat with the new string that is on the right.

Getting Started With The Five-Finger Loop Braid

This is a bit more complicated way to braid string, but it makes a more interesting pattern and thicker braids. First you have to create a bow using string. Loop a string in half and tie the middle in a knot so it makes a bow. There will be a bow and two loose ends on the other side of the bow. (This should not look like a bow tie.) Add four more bows tying the knots in the same place. You should have five strands of string. Tie the bows together so all the loose ends are together on one side and all the bowed ends are on the other. Secure the end by tying the loose ends of the bow to a chair so you can braid the bows together.

For this braid, start with two loops on your left hand. One over your left middle finger and the other over the left ring finger. On the right hand put one loop over your right index finger, one on the right Middle finger and the last one on your right ring finger.

Braiding The Five-Finger Loops

Once you have the bows on the right fingers you can braid them. Take the lowest bow on the left. Reach your left thumb and left index finger through the back of the loop on the left middle finger. With your left thumb and index finger, grab the lower string of the loop on you right ring finger. Take the top string of a loop and pull that through the loop on your left middle finger as you transfer it to your left index finger. This then becomes the top bow on the right.

You should now have three loops on your left hand. One each on left index, left middle, and left ring finger. In your right hand the loops should be on your right index finger and your right middle finger. Move the bows from right index and right middle fingers down one finger so they are on right middle and right ring fingers. Then repeat. After each loop, spread your hands apart to tighten up the braid that is forming.

References

• Fingerloop Braids Website: Basic Braiding Instructions
• Phiala's String Page: A Few Medieval Braids

Resources

• Loop Braiding