Make a String Bracelet
Friendship bracelets are a past-time many of us enjoyed at summer camps or in elementary school art class. However, that doesn't make string bracelets a thing of the past; making your own string-based bracelet is an easy and fun way to add a splash of color to your outfit (or your friends)! Try one of these methods for making your very own bracelet out of several pieces of string.
Contents
Steps
Making a Spiral Bracelet
- Choose your strings. You will need multiple strings in any color and number you would like. This method is the simplest and doesn't require any fancy braiding to accomplish. Cut your strings to fit your wrist. Tape the group of strings to a tabletop.
- Twist the strands. Grab the ends of all your strings and start twisting until the colors are mixed in well. You will have to hold this part of the bracelet secure in order to keep it from unraveling.
- Complete the spiral. While holding the end carefully, remove the tape from the other end and put them together. They will automatically twist together on their own.
- Finish the bracelet. Pull loose ends of bracelet through the end loop at the opposite end of the bracelet and fit to your wrist.
- Wear your new bracelet. Tie your bracelet around your wrist using the loop and loose strands at the end. Show off your handiwork!
Making a Striped Bracelet
- Choose your strings. Decide on at least four different colors of embroidery floss. These should be left in their original six-strand form and cut to about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} long each.
- Start your bracelet. Tie all your strings in a small knot at the very end. Then, braid them for about three inches and tie them in a second knot. You have just created one of the ends that will be tied around your wrist. Tape or pin this knot to a tabletop or your pant leg.
- Start your pattern. Lay your strings out flat, leaving a bit of space between each piece. Start on the left side and tie basic knots across each string by laying your first string in an “L” shape over the string directly to the right. This should create a “4” shape. Take the end of this string and loop it underneath the string to the right, pulling the end through the center. This should create a loop around the 2nd string, which you should pull taut to the top of the strings. Repeat steps to finish the knot.
- Continue your pattern. Using the same string that you started with, work your way to the right side of the strings by tying knots around each of the adjacent threads. When you get to the right side (after tying knots over all the strings), let the thread go and start again on the left side. Continue the same pattern you started by starting with the 2nd thread, working until you get to the right side. Eventually you will work your way across all the strings with all four of your threads, and start the pattern over again with the original 1st thread. Make sure to keep pulling the threads taut to the top of the bracelet, so that your finished product is sleek, smooth, and flat.
- Finish your bracelet. Stop your weaving pattern of the bracelet when the the striped section is long enough to wrap around your wrist. Tie a knot at the end, and then braid a 3” section of string past the knot. Knot the end of this braid to create the second tie for your bracelet.
- Wear your bracelet. Tie the bracelet around your wrist and show it off.
Making a Polka-Dot Bracelet
- Choose your colors. For this pattern, you need a single color to make up the base of the bracelet and one additional color to add the polka dots. The bracelet base will be created using the “striped bracelet” method and the polka dots will be sewn on afterwards.
- Start your bracelet. Cut your string into four pieces measuring 24” long. Tie these in a knot at the end, and then braid a section {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} long to act as one tie for the bracelet. Make a second knot at the end of the braid, and then tape or pin the strings to a table or your pant leg.
- Begin your pattern. Lay your strings out flat, leaving a bit of space between each piece. Start on the left side and tie basic knots across each string by laying your first string in an “L” shape over the string directly to the right. This should create a “4” shape. Take the end of this string and loop it underneath the string to the right, pulling the end through the center. This should create a loop around the 2nd string, which you should pull taut to the top of the strings. Repeat steps to finish the knot.
- Continue your pattern. The string you started with should now be on the right hand side. Take the second string and repeat the same pattern that you started with the first. Create a “4” shape on the string to its right, thread the end through the center, and pull the string taut to the base. Do this with the second string all the way across the remaining strings until there are none left. Continue the pattern by rotating the strings from the left to the right by tying knots.
- Keep the pattern up until the bracelet has reached a length long enough to wrap around your wrist. Then, tie a knot and braid {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of the remaining string before tying and additional knot and cutting off the excess string.
- Add the polka dots. To give your bracelet polka dots, you will be using the French knot style from embroidery. Thread a needle with the color of string you’ve chosen for your polka dots. Tie a knot at the base, and pull it up through the bottom of the bracelet where you would like your first knot to be.
- Pull the thread all the way through, and then bring the needle back to the base of the string. Wrap the needle around the string (as it is being held taut) so that it spirals around the needle 3 times.
- Place the needle at a point in your bracelet very near the origin of your thread, but don’t pull it through. Then, pull the spiral of string tight to the bottom of the needle and pinch it above the fabric while pulling the needle all the way through. Finish the knot by tying it off on the underside of the bracelet. Add as many polka dot knots as you would like.
- Wear your bracelet. Tie the bracelet around your wrist and show it off.
Making a Chevron Bracelet
- Select your strings. Choose four different colors of embroidery thread and cut two pieces of each color to a length of {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} apiece (you will have two strings for every color.). Tie them in a knot at the top and braid the pieces {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} down, and knot the strings again. Then pin or tape the beginnings of the bracelet to your pant leg or a table top.
- Begin the pattern. Spread the strings out so that each of the two colors are lined up opposite each other in a mirror image. Then, take the string on the far left and fold it in half over the string directly to its right. The two strings should create a “4” shape; take the end from the first string and wrap it through the center of the “4” and pull the string upwards, creating a knot. Do this again on the same string so that you create two consecutive knots.
- Finish the left side. Continue the pattern of tying double knots using a “4” shape across all the strings on the left until the first string has reached the center of the group.
- Start the right side. Take the string on the far right side; it should be the same color as the string you just brought to the center. Create a backwards “4” shape and tie double knots with it until you reach the middle of the bracelet, next to its pair. Then, tie the two strings in the middle together in a double knot.
- Continue the pattern. Work from the left to the center and then the right to the center using the same process as explained above. When a pair of strings the same color met in the middle, double knot them (otherwise you’ll end up with two separate striped bracelets).
- Finish the bracelet. When you have added as much length as you need to wrap the chevron section of bracelet around your wrist, tie the remaining strings together in a knot. Then, add {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of braid to the end to create a secure end to tie the bracelet off with. Cut off any loose ends, and sport your new chevron bracelet on your own wrist or gift it to a friend!
- Finished.
Tips
- The more different colours the better.
- For a more permanent end to your bracelet, add clasps to the tails rather than braiding the strands together.
- Using a few strands to start is best, and you can slowly work your way towards incorporating more strings and colors to your bracelet.
Things You'll Need
- Coloured embroidery floss or string
- Tape
- Table or object
- Scissors
- A friend to help you
Related Articles
- Make an Easy Bracelet
- Make a Friendship Bracelet
- Make a Cross Knot Friendship Bracelet
- Make a Charm Bracelet
- Make a Beaded Bracelet
