Friendship bracelets are a way for friends to show how much they love and care about each other.
Traditionally, close friends create a wristband for each other and present them as gifts.
Friendship bracelets are usually woven from embroidery floss and can be created with any color scheme or patter in mind.
They are unisex and tend to be very popular with kids and adults because they are easy and fun to create.
Friendship bracelets are like a tradition to tie on your wrist and wear it continuously as a symbol of your friendship.
Friendship Day is near, so indulge your desire to celebrate your friendship with the exchange of a meaningful gift: Friendship Bracelets.
History of Friendship Bracelets
Friendship bracelets, also known as best friend bracelets have been around for centuries and were originated in Central America.
The weaving and knotting design is a form of macramé- a textile making form using knotting rather than weaving.
In China, some of the earliest forms of decorative knots date as far back as 481-221 B.C.
The Chinese used knots for decorations for clothing and other materials which macramé process.
Then the craft spread to France and Italy. It was later picked up by sailors, who used many macramé knots in their work at sea.
Macramé then became popular in 19th century in England and was revived in America in the 1960s and 1970s.
According to the Native American tradition, the creator of the bracelet makes it with love and the recipient is entitled to one wish.
If they do not take off the bracelet ever and just let it fall off naturally, their wish will be granted.
And if they remove the bracelet before it has worn off, it is a sign of an ended friendship.
Popular Friendship Bracelets
There are various styles and patterns of friendship bracelets, but most are based on the same simple half-hitch knot.
Yet, the amount of thread used in the bracelets can and usually does vary from each other.
The smallest pattern, a double chain knot, requires two strings.
The candy stripe has as few as three strings and as many as forty, based on thickness.
Because of their versatility, they are worn by both male and female of all ages.
They are particularly popular with pre-teen and adolescent girls and with present day hippies.
The thicker friendship bracelets are commonly worn by both male and female surfers.
Some of the most common patterns of friendship bands include the chevron, broken ladder, totem pole, and diamond.
Also, some patterns of best friend bracelets use Navajo weaving styles.
The Navajo weaving style dates back as far as the 16th century, when the Native Americans created blankets and other fabric on looms.
Nowadays, friendship bracelets are created with any pattern in mind.
It’s quite easy to find any kinds of pattern online inspired by your favorite music, movies, and TV shows.
In the Native America, the creator of the friendship bracelets must choose colors that represents the person they want to give it to.
For instance, black represents strength, blue stands for loyalty, and red stands for honesty.
How To Make Friendship Bracelets
Friendship bracelets are loved by all ages, these brightly-colored armbands are perfect gift on Friendship Day.
Supplies
- Embroidery Thread
- Scissors
- Plastic Bobbins
- Storage Box
Preparation
Choose the colors of thread that you would like to use for your friendship bracelets.
The embroidery thread will come tightly wrapped, so unwind the thread carefully.
Then wrap it nearly around a plastic or cardboard bobbin for future use.
Cut Lengths of Thread
Unwrap the threads from the bobbin. Then cut the thread long enough to be able to double it.
A good length of each strand would be 284cm. Cut each color of thread the same length as the first one.
Fold It In Half
Fold all the colors of thread in half so they are doubled, like said before.
If you use six colors, you will now have 12 strands. You can use as many as you want according to your desire.
Knot All The Strands
The next thing to do is, make a not with all the strands, 8cm down from the top of the thread.
You can close the knot into the lid of your storage box, to keep the threads untangled.
Organize Your Color
Organize all the colors in your desired order. You will eventually make a “V” pattern with the stiches.
Then divide the thread in half, with six colors on the left and six on the right.
You should have each color present on the left and the right side equally.
Knot Your Threads
Starting on the left side, take your first thread and knot it with the second one.
Now, make a second knot, using the same two threads. Make sure the first color you choose is always on top, so that you get a stich.
Again do the same with the right side. When you are finished with the right side, you will see a “V” pattern.
Continue this process making the “V” pattern with each color.
Once the length of the bracelet is as long as you want, braid the thread together.
Friendship Bracelets Without Weaving
There are many types of friendship bracelets that you can make which do not require weaving or knot-typing.
Young kids might enjoy making no-sew bracelets created from strips of cloth.
Stretchy cotton jersey fabric is great for making this type of friendship bracelets.
Additionally, washi tape and duct tape also can be used to make friendship bracelets.
They come in many colors, styles, and patterns and are perfect for creating fun crafts.
You just need to make the bracelet big enough so that it doesn’t get torn out easily.
You can also use straws to make your own friendship bracelets without using any weaving.
Cut the straws into “beads” that can then be strung onto yarn of embroidery floss.
In summer, friendship bracelets can even be made from long pieces of grass, wheat, and flowers.
