Friendship bracelets, in general, are made with embroidery thread and are given to a friend as a sign of friendship. However, you can make several without difficulty, to enrich your accessories collection or to sell them and earn some extra cash. If you want to learn how to weave one, read on!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Traditional Bracelet
Step 1. Choose several skeins of embroidery thread in different colors
You can use as many as you want, at least three, and in all the shades you prefer, so that they match each other and create a beautiful decorative pattern. If you limit yourself to just one color, you will not be able to make a decoration. With 4-6 strands you will make a rather thin bracelet, but with 8-10 strands you will be able to have a thicker one. The more threads you use, the wider the finished product will be.
Step 2. Measure and cut the first thread
Take a segment that is slightly longer than the distance from your fingertips to the shoulder and then cut it off. This will allow you to make a bracelet that is long enough to wrap around your wrist and create a pattern. It is always better to cut the thread slightly longer rather than too short.
Step 3. Use the first segment as a reference to measure and cut all the others
Hold it over all the strands you have chosen to use and cut them to the same length as it.
Step 4. Tie all the threads together with a knot and hook them to a stable surface
You can use a safety pin and attach them to your pants, pillow, or other fabric object, as long as it is stable and not damaged. You can also be creative and tie the strand of threads at the tip of your foot, but be aware that using a stable surface is the best choice. It is recommended to use a safety pin instead of duct tape, as it offers a more secure grip.
Step 5. Spread the wires apart
Before starting the knot pattern that allows you to create the decoration on the bracelet, you need to widen the strand of threads so that the colors are sorted according to the project you have in mind. To prevent the knotted end of the bracelet from being too bulky, try not to cross the threads too much on top of each other.
Step 6. You can start the bracelet with a simple braid before moving on to the more complicated pattern (optional)
To proceed, divide the various strands into groups of two or three. In the video attached, the threads are grouped two by two, thus obtaining three elements to be intertwined (the one on the left, center and right).
Step 7. It is not difficult to make a braid
Take the thread that is on the right and cross it over the one in the center; in doing so, the thread on the right has become central. At this point take the thread on the left and bring it over the one in the center; in this way the left thread has become central. Repeat this sequence several times respecting the order, until the braid has reached the length you want.
Step 8. Before starting the actual weave, tie a knot
When the initial braid has reached the length you want (about 2.5cm or less), remember to tie it with a knot.
Step 9. Tie the leftmost thread with the one on its right
To be precise, you need to make a "simple half knot". First move the first thread (the blue one in the video) over the front of the second (the orange one), leaving the loop on the left to create a sort of figure in the shape of a "4". Then pull the first thread around the second and thread it into the loop you created earlier; at this point pull up until the knot moves towards the upper end of the second thread.
Hold the thread around which you are tying the knot tight to make sure it falls into place and is tight
Step 10. Now you can tie the thread that was on the far left around the rest, respecting the order from left to right
Also in this case you must always make a "simple half knot" with the blue thread you started with and tie it to each of the threads you meet as you move to the right. Always tie two identical knots on each string before moving on to the next. When you're done, the blue thread you started with should be on the far right.
Step 11. Continue to knot the thread that is at the left end around the ones that are to its right
At the end of each process, the starting thread "moves" all the way to the right and you will start the new sequence with a different colored thread, unless you have placed two identical ones next to each other.
Step 12. Proceed following the pattern described so far, until you have a bracelet long enough to wrap around your wrist
Once tied to your wrist, the bracelet should be loose enough for you, or the recipient of your gift, to insert two fingers between the fabric and the skin.
Step 13. Weave the final end (optional)
If you started the bracelet with a small braid, you can finish it the same way, but remember to use the same number of strands you used in the beginning.
Step 14. Add lucky charms or beads to the end (optional)
If you want to add more style to your friendship bracelet, string some beads or lucky charms and secure them in place with a knot.
Step 15. Tie the second end with a knot
Make sure that the knot does not shorten the bracelet too much to the point of preventing you from wearing it.
Step 16. Trim the excess thread
If there is a lot of thread left over at the end of the weave, you can cut it with a pair of scissors.
Step 17. Knot the bracelet to close it
Now that both ends have been secured with a knot, you can close it. If a friend is helping you to put it on, you can also ask him to tie it once you have placed it on your wrist, so that it fits snugly.
Step 18. Put on the bracelet
Show it off or give it to a friend.
Method 2 of 2: Alternatives
Step 1. Make a spiral bracelet
In this case you have to tie a thread around all the others in one go, then you will have to change color and repeat the operation several times to create a decorative pattern.
Step 2. Make a square knot bracelet.
You can make this simple pattern with embroidery floss or twine.
Step 3. Weave a bracelet in a "V" pattern
It is a beautiful alternative, easily achievable by knotting the threads of the same color from the outside towards the center of the bracelet and making the "V" motif instead of the classic diagonal pattern.
Advice
- To allow the thread to flow freely as you create the bracelet (and to prevent it from breaking as you pull it hard) you can coat it with wax before starting work; just rub the entire length of the wire on an old candle.
- Choose colors carefully. You should use the bracelet recipient's favorite colors or choose shades that have meaning (i.e. red for love, yellow for fun, and so on).
- Avoid over-tightening knots or leaving them too loose. If they are too tight, they could break or the design would not be visible. A knot that is too loose, on the other hand, will come undone and ruin all your work.
- It is always worth starting and finishing the bracelet in one session, so you don't run the risk of forgetting where you are and what you are doing.
- If you are concerned about forgetting the color order, write it down.
- If you are looking for inspiration for different motifs and decorations, do some research online.
- Have fun while making the bracelet and you will see that your friend will appreciate it too.
- If you decide to tie a double knot, then remember that you will need to do it for each tie.
- To flatten the bracelet, you should make two consecutive knots on the same thread at each step.
- If the bracelet begins to twist on itself, you can flatten it with an iron or use a metal clip to keep it straight. Move the clip as the work progresses.
- You can also use a clipboard to hold the bracelet in place.
- Once you have mastered the basic knot technique, you can make your own designs or new ideas.
- Plan your bracelet design in advance.
- Put all the various threads on top of each other to evaluate the overall effect.
- Use bright colors and try to match complementary ones, like purple with yellow.
- Be creative and make an original pattern.
- If you do reverse knots, the decorative pattern will have an opposite slope. You can use this technique to make a bracelet with an arrow or zigzag pattern.
- Make several bracelets so that your friend can match them with various outfits.
- If you make a lot of bracelets, you can also think about selling them and rounding up your income a bit. You can browse the internet for some suggestions.
- You can use the same color for all spins; by doing so you will have a bracelet whose particularity is precisely the reason you managed to create with the knots. This is a good solution to make the bracelet for a person who considers it an object for sissies or for immature people. However, using just one color is a bit frustrating, as you can get confused easily as you weave it. If this happens, tie a very short piece of different colored thread at the end of each string to help you remember the order.
Warnings
- Do not tie the bracelets too tightly around the wrist, check that the blood can circulate freely!
- Make sure your fingers don't get caught in knots and stuck in the thread.
- The embroidery thread is very thin. Be careful not to tie knots in the wrong places but, should it happen, know that it is not an insurmountable problem; you can always try to undo the knots with a pair of tweezers or a safety pin. This is tedious and time-consuming work, and you may even break or unwind the thread. It is not at all easy to untie a knot made with embroidery floss.
