How to Make Friendship Bracelets All the Patterns

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How to Make Friendship Bracelets (All the Patterns)

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about friendship bracelets. Perhaps it’s the memories of playground trading, or the simple joy of creating something beautiful with your own hands. Whatever the reason, these colourful woven accessories are firmly back in fashion—and we couldn’t be happier about it.

Whether you’re looking to create heartfelt gifts for your nearest and dearest, or simply want a mindful creative project to enjoy whilst watching your favourite series, learning how to make friendship bracelets is a brilliantly rewarding skill. Best of all, it requires minimal materials and costs next to nothing to get started.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know—from essential supplies to mastering every pattern from simple braids to intricate chevrons. Let’s get crafting!

What You’ll Need to Get Started

One of the loveliest things about friendship bracelet making is how accessible it is. You won’t need expensive equipment or a dedicated craft room—just a few basic supplies and a comfortable spot to sit.

Essential Materials

Embroidery floss or thread: This is the gold standard for friendship bracelets. Look for quality brands like DMC, which offers an enormous range of colours. Each skein is incredibly affordable and will last for multiple projects.
Scissors: A small, sharp pair for cutting thread cleanly.
Tape or a clipboard: Essential for securing your work whilst you knot. Washi tape works brilliantly and won’t leave residue.
A safety pin or pillow: Useful for anchoring your bracelet to a cushion or even your jeans whilst working.
A ruler: For measuring thread lengths accurately.

Nice-to-Have Extras

Beads: Small seed beads or letter beads can add a personal touch.
Charms: Tiny charms can elevate a simple design.
Pattern books or apps: For inspiration and step-by-step guidance.

Understanding the Basics: Knots and Techniques

Before diving into patterns, it’s crucial to understand the fundamental knots that form the building blocks of every friendship bracelet design. Master these, and you’ll be able to tackle any pattern with confidence.

The Four Essential Knots

Forward Knot: This creates a knot that moves from left to right. Shape your left thread into a number 4 over the right thread, then loop it underneath and pull through to the right. Repeat once more to complete the knot.

Backward Knot: The mirror image of the forward knot, moving from right to left. Make a backwards 4 with your right thread over the left, loop underneath, and pull through to the left.

Forward-Backward Knot: A combination knot that creates two knots in opposite directions, keeping your working thread in its original position.

Backward-Forward Knot: The reverse of the above, starting with a backward knot followed by a forward knot.

Essential Friendship Bracelet Patterns

Now for the exciting part—let’s explore the most popular patterns, arranged from beginner-friendly to more advanced designs.

1. The Classic Candy Stripe

This diagonal striped pattern is the perfect starting point for beginners. It uses just one type of knot throughout, making it easy to master whilst still looking impressive.

How to create it: Cut four strands of embroidery floss in different colours, each approximately 60cm long. Secure them at one end and arrange in your preferred colour order. Working from left to right, use the leftmost strand to make forward knots around each of the other three strands. Once you’ve knotted across all strands, the original leftmost strand will now be on the right—repeat the process with the new leftmost strand. Continue until your bracelet reaches the desired length.

2. The Chevron Pattern

This V-shaped design is a step up from the candy stripe but still very achievable for confident beginners. The key is symmetry in your colour arrangement.

How to create it: Use six strands arranged symmetrically (for example: red, blue, yellow, yellow, blue, red). The outer strands work towards the centre using forward knots, whilst the inner strands work outwards using backward knots. When the two central strands meet, tie them together with either a forward or backward knot. Repeat this process to build the chevron pattern.

3. The Diagonal Pattern

Similar to the candy stripe but with more colour variation, this pattern creates elegant diagonal lines across your bracelet. It’s brilliant for using up leftover thread in complementary colours.

4. The Staircase Pattern

This creates a stepped effect that looks far more complex than it actually is. By alternating between forward and backward knot sections, you’ll create a sophisticated geometric design that’s sure to impress.

5. The Heart Pattern

Perfect for Valentine’s Day or simply showing someone you care, the heart pattern requires careful colour placement but delivers stunning results. It’s best attempted once you’re comfortable with chevron patterns.

6. The Alpha Pattern

Alpha patterns allow you to weave letters, numbers, and simple images into your bracelets. They use two types of thread—background threads that remain stationary, and working threads that create the design. This technique opens up endless possibilities for personalisation.

Tips for Bracelet-Making Success

Consistency is key: Try to keep your knots uniformly tight. Loose knots will create gaps, whilst overly tight knots can cause the bracelet to curl.
Work in good lighting: This helps prevent eye strain and ensures you can see your knot colours clearly.
Take breaks: Your hands will thank you. Friendship bracelet making can be surprisingly tough on your fingers and wrists.
Measure twice, cut once: It’s always better to have thread that’s too long rather than too short. You can trim excess, but you can’t add length.
Be patient with yourself: Your first few attempts might look a bit wobbly—that’s perfectly normal. Practice really does make perfect.
Experiment with colour combinations: Don’t be afraid to try unexpected pairings. Some of the most striking bracelets come from adventurous colour choices.

Finishing Your Bracelet

Once you’ve reached your desired length, you’ll need to finish your bracelet securely. The most common method is creating braided ties at each end. Divide your threads into three groups and braid each end for approximately 5cm, then knot securely and trim the excess. This allows the bracelet to be adjustable when tied around the wrist.

Alternatively, you can add a button or bead closure for a more polished look—simply create a loop at one end large enough for your button to pass through, and secure your button at the other end.

The Joy of Handmade Connections

In our increasingly digital world, there’s something profoundly meaningful about giving someone a gift you’ve made by hand. Friendship bracelets carry a special kind of magic—they’re tangible reminders of connection, creativity, and care.

Whether you’re making matching bracelets for your best friend, creating a personalised gift for a loved one, or simply enjoying the meditative process of knotting and weaving, friendship bracelet making is a hobby that nourishes both creativity and soul.

So gather your threads, put on some music, and start knotting. Before long, you’ll have a collection of beautiful handmade accessories—and perhaps a new favourite hobby. Happy crafting!

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