How to make friendship bracelets: Step-by-step beginner guide

Friendship bracelets are one of the easiest crafts because you don’t need much equipment or a large workspace to make them. With a few lengths of yarn or thread and an understanding of basic friendship bracelet knots, you can make all sorts of beautiful bracelets.

The biggest challenge is learning how to keep the threads organized, make knots with even tension, or remember which direction each knot should travel. Once those basics become comfortable, friendship bracelet patterns and designs become easier and easier to follow.

Below, you’ll discover how to make bracelets from scratch, with zero experience required.

What you need to make friendship bracelets#

You only need these basic supplies for this friendship bracelet tutorial.

• Yarn or embroidery thread in two or more colors

• Sharp scissors that are comfortable to use

• A piece of cardboard, clipboard, craft board, or another firm surface

• Tape, a push pin, or another way to secure the bracelet while you work

A dedicated friendship bracelet board can be useful, but it’s not necessary when you’re just starting. Any piece of sturdy card with the top of the friendship bracelet taped securely will work well.

Helpful tips for setting up:#

1. The most important part of your bracelet making setup is to ensure the friendship bracelet stays still while you knot. If the top moves every time you pull a thread, it will be harder to maintain even tension, and the bracelet will look messy.

2. It also helps to work somewhere with enough space to spread the threads out. Friendship bracelet patterns depend on the order of the strands, so keeping them separated makes it easier to see which thread you should use next.

Types of thread for friendship bracelets#

Friendship bracelets can be made with all types of yarn, thread or cord, but the material you choose affects the appearance of the finished bracelet and how easy it is to work with.

Yarn is a good choice for beginners because it’s easy to see, easy to handle and available in a huge range of colors. A relatively fine yarn allows you to see each knot clearly without making the finished bracelet overly bulky. It’s also easier to untie than thread if you make a mistake.

Embroidery thread is another common option. It creates a more traditional friendship bracelet and is available in many colors. Because it is thinner, however, beginners sometimes find that the knots are slightly harder to see and control.

Choosing different colors of yarn or thread is part of the fun. You can use contrasting shades for a bold bracelet, several tones from the same color family for a gradient effect, or colours chosen specifically for the friend you’re making the bracelet for.

Basic knots explained#

Most typical friendship bracelet patterns are created using four basic knot combinations. They are all variations of the same movement.

The key is to pay attention to the direction in which the working thread travels. That’s where each knot type gets its name.

Forward knot#

A forward knot moves the working thread from left to right.

1. Take the thread on the left and place it over the thread beside it to create a shape similar to the number four. Bring the working thread underneath the second thread and up through the loop. Pull it gently upward to tighten the knot.

2. Repeat the movement a second time. Friendship bracelet knots are usually made as two small knots together, which helps the pattern sit neatly and securely.

A useful beginner tip is to hold the thread you are knotting around straight while pulling the working thread upward. If both threads move around too much, the knot can become loose or uneven.

Backward knot#

A backward knot is the mirror image of a forward knot, which means it moves the working thread from right to left.

1. Take the thread on the right and bring it over the thread beside it, creating a reversed number four shape. Pass the working thread underneath and through the loop, then pull upward.

2. Repeat the movement once more to complete the knot.

When practicing, compare your backward knot with your forward knot. They should look similar in size even though they travel in opposite directions.

Forward backward knot#

A forward backward knot changes the direction of the working thread without changing its final position.

1. Begin with a single forward movement.

2. But instead of repeating the forward movement, complete the knot with one backward movement using the same working thread.

This knot is especially useful when a bracelet pattern needs a thread to create a point, curve, or change of direction.

Backward forward knot#

The backward forward knot works in the opposite way as the knot above.

1. Begin with a single backward movement.

2. Then complete the knot with a forward movement using the same working thread.

Practice these knots separately before attempting a pattern that uses several direction changes. The most important thing with all four knots is consistency. Try to pull each knot with approximately the same pressure. Pulling one very tightly and the next loosely can make the bracelet narrow, widen, or curve unexpectedly.

How to tie a friendship bracelet#

The easiest way to finish a friendship bracelet is to leave loose threads at both ends and tie them together around the wrist.

When the knotted section reaches the required length, gather all the working threads together and tie a firm knot immediately below the final row. Divide the remaining threads into two groups and either leave them loose or braid them for a neater finish.

If you created a loop when you started the bracelet, divide the threads at the finishing end into two groups and braid or knot them separately. These two ends can then be passed through the loop and tied together.

Most importantly, before cutting away any excess thread, lay the bracelet around the wrist to make sure the fastening is long enough and comfortable to tie.

As you become more experienced, you can experiment with different friendship bracelet finishing methods, including braided ties, loops, beads or metal fastenings. Your first friendship bracelet might not have perfectly even edges or identical knots, and that’s completely normal. With each bracelet, you’ll become better at controling tension, recognizing knot directions and keeping your threads organized.

Step-by-step friendship bracelet tutorial#

A simple two-color knotted bracelet is an ideal beginner project because it lets you practice forward and backward knots without having to keep track of extra threads.

Here’s how to make your very first friendship bracelet, even if it’s just a test you don’t plan on giving away.

1. Cut two lengths of yarn approximately 75cm (or 2.5 ft) long.

2. Place the two threads together and tie a knot about 8-10cm from one end. Leave this loose section because you will use it later to tie the bracelet around the wrist.

3. Secure the knot to a piece of cardboard or your work surface using tape or a pin.

4. Separate the two threads so that one sits on the left and one on the right.

5. Take the left-hand thread and make a forward knot around the right-hand thread. Remember to make the knot twice.

6. Now take the right-hand thread and make a backward knot around the left-hand thread.

7. Continue alternating between the two threads, keeping the knots close together.

8. As the bracelet grows, check that your edges remain reasonably straight. If one side starts becoming much tighter than the other, slightly reduce the tension on that side.

9. Continue until the knotted section is long enough to fit comfortably around the wrist.

10. Tie a secure knot at the end of the bracelet, leaving enough loose yarn to fasten it.

Once you can make this bracelet, you’re ready to move on to patterns that use more colors and threads.

Your first pattern: the heart pattern friendship bracelet#

You will need:

• 4 threads in one color and 4 threads in a different color

Method:

1. Cut the 8 threads to approximately 90cm (3 ft) long.

2. Hold all the threads together and knot them about 8-10cm from one end.

3. Tape or pin the threads to a board or piece of cardboard above the knot. Separate the threads so that the colors alternate, with 4 threads on the left and 4 on the right.

4. Starting with the outside left thread, make forward knots over each of the next 3 threads, working towards the center.

5. Starting with the outside right thread, make backward knots over each of the next 3 threads, working towards the center. Knot the 2 center threads together to complete the first row.

6. For the next row, start with the second thread from the left and make a backward knot over the outside left thread, followed by a forward knot to return it towards the center. Repeat on the right side using a forward knot followed by a backward knot.

7. Using the new outside threads, make forward knots from the left and backward knots from the right until they meet in the center. Knot the 2 center threads together. This forms the top curves of the heart.

8. Repeat the same knotting sequence to form the point of the heart. Keep the knots firm and even so that the heart shape is clearly visible.

9. Continue repeating the heart pattern until the bracelet is the desired length.

10. Tie all the threads together in a knot at the end of the bracelet. Make sure there is sufficient thread at both ends to tie the bracelet onto your wrist before cutting off any excess.

See 20 more string bracelet pattern ideas with varying difficulty from beginner to advanced.

Common mistakes beginners make#

Most early friendship bracelet problems come from thread organization or knot tension rather than the pattern itself.

Here are the common problems people run across—and how to avoid them.

Download Icewear's most unique patterns to get more ideas and inspiration.