Friendship Bracelets for Christmas

Friendship Bracelets samples
This craft project is a great way of keeping children or grandchildren occupied during the long summer holidays or on those cold winter nights.

Friendship bracelets are simple to make, fun to do and great to swap with your friends.

Made from soft embroidery, thread the bracelets are woven using simple braiding techniques and tied onto wrists or ankles.

Materials Required

  • Soft embroidery thread in different colours.
  • Masking or electrical tape (any width).
  • Sharp scissors.
  • Beads for decoration, if desired.

1. Simple Plait

figure 1 sample
Cut three strands of different coloured soft embroidery thread 40cms long. Tie the threads together in a knot 10cm from the top

Secure the top of the threads to a work surface using masking tape or electrical tape. (Don't fix it to the best dining room table!!) OR pin to an old cushion. (Make sure it's old !!)

Separate the threads, using the thread on the left hand side - in our photo it's the red one - take it over the middle thread (blue) and under the right hand thread (yellow),

bringing the right hand thread into the middle so that the red thread ends up on the right hand side. (see Photo 1)

Do the same with the new thread on the left - in our photo the blue one - over the middle thread (yellow) and under the last thread (red) making it end up on the right hand side. (see Photo 2)

Figure 2
Repeat this weave using the left hand thread until your bracelet is long enough to tie around your wrist or your friend's wrist.

In our photos we have plaited very loosely so you can see where the threads go. When you make your bracelet pull the threads up tighter each time you weave this will give a firmer bracelet. (see Photo 3)

Figure 3
Tie the ends in a knot and trim them to match the other end.

On one of our plaited bracelets we have used 6 threads, 2 of each colour, we've treated the two threads as one and plaited just the same.

This gives a thicker bracelet. The third plaited bracelet has beads threaded onto the ends of the ties.

TIP: To make it easier to thread small beads onto thick thread put a little PVA (children's glue) onto the end, squeeze it between your fingers to make a point and let it dry. The beads will then thread easily. When you have finished the bracelet the stiffened ends can be trimmed.
2. Twister Bracelet - one colour
Figure 4
This bracelet uses two colours of thread but only one colour shows in the knotting. The core threads only show at the ends.

Knotting thread - cut one piece 130cm long.
Core threads - cut two pieces 35cm long.


Knot the end and secure to your work surface as before.
Separate the threads keeping the two shorter core threads to the right and the longer knotting thread to the left.

Holding the knotting thread (green) in your left hand, take it over the core threads (purple) and back under (see photo 4) making a loop around the core threads, pull this loop up tight to the top of threads.

Repeat this knot until your bracelet is long enough. You will see the knots start to twist as you work (see photo 5).

Figure 5
Finish as before and trim the ends. 

3. Twister - two colours

This bracelet uses two pairs of threads. Each set of threads is used to knot.
Cut four threads in two colours each 80cms long.
Knot the end and secure to your work surface as before.
Separate the threads into pairs, taking any colour knot as before over the other pair of threads. When you have made 8 knots change threads and knot with the other colour. The knots will still twist but this time you will see both colours. Finish as before.

4. Stripy Bracelet
Figure 6
This bracelet is a little more complicated as it has more threads to work with. The knot is the same as the twister knot.

Cut 3 pairs of threads - each pair a different colour 100cm long.
Knot and secure as before.
Separate the threads keeping the colours in pairs.
Start knotting with the thread on the far left. (in photo 6 it's the yellow thread)

Using the same knot as the Twister, knot twice over the next thread (the other yellow one). Still using the yellow thread, continue to make two knots over each of the remaining threads. (see Photo 7)

Repeat the knots using the new thread on the left (our photo shows yellow) working them over the remaining threads until you reach the right side. (see Photo 7)

Figure 7
Continue knotting in this way always using the left hand thread and making two knots on each thread. You will see stripes starting to appear as you work through the threads. (see Photo 8)
Figure 8
When the bracelet is long enough finish as before. 
Sample of Embroidery Thread
Soft embroidery thread comes in skeins like these. There are various makes Anchor and DMC being the most common. Cheaper versions can be found on market stalls and some haberdashery departments, these are fine for Friendship Bracelets.