DIY Friendship Bracelet

You’ll need:
embroidery thread
a safety pin or tape
a pair of scissors

Start by cutting several strands of embroidery thread at about 24 inches each. Make sure there are two sets of each color. Combine the threads and tie a knot, leaving at least 3 inches of slack. Tape it to a flat surface or safety pin it to a pillow. Separate the two sets, arranging the strands in a mirror-image pattern with the outside strands the same color and so on moving inwards.

Start on the left side with the outermost color (shown here in red) and make a forward knot by creating a 4-shape over the 2nd color, loop it under and back through the opening.

Pull up and to the right to tighten. Make the same knot twice over each color. Continue knotting over each color, towards the right, until the outermost color has carried over to the middle. This is one half of the chevron pattern.

Now pick up the outermost color on the right side (show here in red) and make a backward knot, creating a reverse 4-shape over the 2nd color, loop it under and back through the opening. Pull up and to the left to tighten. Don’t forget to knot twice over each color!

Continue knotting towards the left until the outermost strand reaches the middle. Tie a backwards knot with the two middle strands to connect the two halves. Did you remember to knot twice? The first chevron row is complete! Continue with the the next color, which is now the outermost strand . . .

Remembering the color order is important for the first few rows but after the 3rd or 4th row, the strands will fall nicely in place. Finish it with a knot and a braid.

For a striped bracelet, cut one set of colors and simply carry the outermost color all the way through to the right side. For an assymetrical chevron, mix the colors when dividing them into 2 sets. Be sure to count the number of strands so you know when to stop in the middle each time. For an embellished bracelet, take a small piece of rhinestone chain, glue it to the top of the bracelet and stitch embroidery thread between each rhinestone with an embroidery needle.

photo: honestlywtf