How to Make Easy Friendship Bracelets Step by Step
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Friendship bracelets are the number one guests you want to invite to your arm party. Once a craft loved by kids of all ages, these brightly-coloured armbands have made quite the comeback. Braid them, stack them, embellish them, or trade with friends, these woven beauties are everywhere. In this tutorial, we will be making a simple six-colour friendship bracelet in a V pattern.
Supplies
- Darice embroidery thread (also known as floss)
- Scissors
- Plastic bobbins
- Storage box (optional)
Step 1: Preparation
Choose the colours of thread you would like to use. The embroidery thread, or floss, will come tightly wrapped. Unwind the thread and wrap it neatly around a plastic or cardboard bobbin for future use. Store the bobbins in a plastic box with compartments.
Step 2: Cut Lengths of Thread
Unwrap thread from the bobbin. Cut the thread long enough to be able to double the thread. A good length for each strand would be 284cm (112 inches). Cut each colour of thread the same length as the first one.
Step 3: Fold It in Half
Fold all colours of thread in half so they are doubled. As you are using six colours, you should now have 12 strands.
Step 4: Knot All the Strands
Make a knot with all the strands, 8cm (around three inches) down from the top of the thread. You can close the knot into the lid of your storage box, to keep the thread from sliding as you create your stitches. You could also use tape, or any other weighted object.
Step 5: Organise Your Colours
Organise all the colours in your desired order. You will eventually be making a "V" pattern with the stitches. Divide the thread in half, with six colours on the left, and the same six colours on the right. You should have one of each colour thread on the left side, and the same on the right side.
Start with the same colour for the outer thread - for example, my first colour is orange. Then work your way in using the same colour for the second thread on both sides. For example my second inner colour is red. Do this for all colours.
Step 6: Knot Your First Thread
Starting on the left side, take your first thread (in our case, orange) and knot it with your second thread (in our case, red). To do this, create a number "4" shape with the orange and the red threads. The orange thread will be bent in an "L" shape, over the red thread. The red thread stays straight.
Pull the tail of the orange thread through the centre of the "4" to create your first knot.
Now make a second knot, using the same two threads. Make sure the orange thread is always on top, so that you get an orange stitch.
Now knot the orange thread with each of the other colours, until you finish your first side. Remember, a stitch is made of two knots. You have now finished the left side of the "V" pattern.
Step 7: Knot the Right Side
For the right side, you will follow the same steps, but you will knot the thread, starting with the outer orange thread, from right to left. You will first cross the outer orange thread, with the second red thread. This time you will make a backwards "4". The orange thread will be bent in a backwards "L" shape over the red thread. Pull the tail of the orange thread underneath and through the centre of the "4" to create the first knot. Now make your second knot with these colours. You will knot the orange thread with the rest of the colours, knotting twice each time to create your stiches.
Step 8: Complete Your First "V" Pattern
When you are finished with the right side, both of your orange threads should meet in the center. You should see your first "V" in the pattern and it is almost complete. Now make two knots, just as you did before, knotting the two orange threads together. This will create the "point" in the first "V" of the pattern.
Step 9: Create the Second "V"
You have already created one "V". Now you will start on the second "V". Using your next outer colour of thread (in our case, red), follow the same steps as above. First, knot the red thread with all colours on the left, and the do the same with the outer red thread on the right. Now knot the two red threads together, and you have your second "V".
Step 10: Continue Making "V" Patterns
Continue this process making the "V" pattern with each colour. Once the length of the bracelet is as long as you want it, braid the threads together. To do this, separate the remainder of your threads into three groups.
Step 11: Finishing the Bracelet
Since I have twelve threads, I am dividing them into three groups, with four threads in each group. You should have a left group, centre group, and right group.
Cross your right group over the centre group. Your right group has now moved to be the center group. Cross the left group over the center group. Continue to alternate, crossing each of the outer groups over the center group.
This creates your braid. You should braid for approximately 5cm (around two inches) and then knot the threads together. You should trim the excess threads below the knot. Make sure not to cut the threads too short, as you don't want your threads to unravel.
Now, move to the top of your bracelet where you created your original knot to start the bracelet.
With your fingertips or a needle, remove the original knot.
Cut the original loop in the centre.
Now you can create your 5cm (around two inch) braid at the top of the bracelet, just as you did with the bottom. Knot the end, and cut the excess strands.
You can tie both braided strands, at the ends of the bracelet together, to create your final knot. This will secure the bracelet around your wrist. Now you are finished.
How did you go? What colours did you use? And would you like to see more friendship bracelet tutorials in the future? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Hallie Friedman is a fashion and accessory designer in New York City. She has worked for fashion brands including Yigal Azrouel, Dana Buchman, Talbot's Kids, and currently works for G-III Apparel working in outerwear production. To connect with Hallie, follow her on Twitter or visit her website.
How to Make Easy Friendship Bracelets Step by Step
Source: https://crafts.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-make-a-super-easy-friendship-bracelet--craft-282