Whether you are a beginner or have been making friendship bracelet for years and looking for advanced patterns, check out this awesome community of friendship bracelet enthusiasts.  Learn how to make the bracelets, view tutorials and photos, share advice with others, and the best part – generate your own patterns.

So head to your local craft store for embroidery floss in all the cool colors, grab your tape and scissors, and have a friendship bracelet summer.

Keep in mind, the colors will vary a bit depending on the quality and settings of your computer monitor.  But the chart will give you a good representation of the DMC colors that are available.  For the color descriptions by number, see  DMC’s Color Description Chart.

Videos are a great way to learn how to make friendship bracelets. You can pause the video at any point and replay the directions over and over until you get it just right.  This video has easy to follow directions for the Basic friendship bracelet pattern; sometimes called the diagonal friendship bracelet or candy stripe friendship bracelet.

For this bracelet you’ll need: 4 stands of embroidery floss: each 25″ long with 2 or 4 colors.

Basic Supplies

One of the best things about friendship bracelets is that you don’t need very many supplies to make them.  You’ll only need the following to get started:

• embroidery floss
• scissors
• safety pin, tape (or something to hold the bracelet in place)

That’s it!

Other Supplies

Some other nice-to-haves are an embroidery floss organizer and a ruler or measuring tape.  The more embroidery colors you have the easier it is for them to get tangled and end up in one big mess.  Floss organizers allow you to separate your colors easily.  You can usually get these for less than $5.00 at any store that sells fabrics or crafts.

To make sure you get the floss length correct every time, a ruler is very helpful.  If you don’t have one handy, use your arm as a measuring stick.  Figure out how many arm lengths it takes to make a typical bracelet and adjust depending on the size you want your bracelet to be.

Ways to Hold your Bracelet in Place

You’ll need something to hold your bracelet in place. If you have an old pillow, try pinning your bracelet to it with a safety pin.  You can also use a clipboard.  Or simply tape it to any surface.

Friendship Bracelets on the Go

One of the best things about friendship bracelets is that it is easily a project that you can take “on the go.”  It is a great way to kill time on a long car ride or plane trip.  What makes the project so portable are the few supplies that are needed.  To keep the bracelet in place, try taping the bracelet on to your own leg.

Keep the Friendship Bracelet on at All Times

The friendship bracelet is meant to be worn until the thread loosens on its own and the bracelet slips off the wrist naturally.  If the bracelet is removed before this time; it is said that the friendship is over.  Yikes!  Make sure you can make the commitment to wear the bracelet at all times before accepting it.  For example; if you have a wedding to go the next day or a family portrait scheduled – maybe wait a few days to put it on.

Make the Bracelet the Right Way

Like we said, the bracelet is meant to fall off on its own.  Therefore, it must be made in a way that it can do so.  The best way to do this is to only use thread in the making of the bracelet; and maybe a bead or two.  If the bracelet is made with other materials or fasteners that will keep it on indefinitely, it cannot be considered a true friendship bracelet.  Who knew?

Make Your Wishes Come True

Another friendship bracelet tradition states that when the recipient is presented with the bracelet, she is allowed to make a wish.  When the bracelet eventually falls off (on its own, of course) that wish will come true.  So, make your wish a good one and keep that bracelet on so that your wish will be granted.

Clearly, you have the choice whether or not follow these friendship bracelet “rules”.  But following them adds to the fun, keeps tradition alive and celebrates your true friendships.

Friendship bracelets have been about for many , many years. Folk tradition claims that when anyone gives you a friendship bracelet, you must wear it and not remove it until it falls off on its own. Taking it off implies you are ending your friendship with the person who gave it to you.

These bracelets are easy to make. Most designers use embroidery thread in making them but you may also opt to use hemp. There are also plenty of knot styles to choose from like the double-chain knot and the plat but the most commonly-used one is the half-hitch knot. If you’re making the bracelet out of embroidery thread, try using 2 colors. You can even mix your favorite with that of your buddy’s to make it more personalized and remarkable.

When making the bracelet, start by cutting three strands of one color and three strands of the other. You need to have a total of six strands in your hand. Tie a knot about an inch from the end of all 6 strands. Ensure that you secure the strands with a weight because you will be pulling on them. Form a single knot with the first 3 strands and another with the leftover 3 strands until the bracelet is the length you want it to be. Secure the ends with another knot and trim them.

One way that you can make your friendship bracelet more special is to add beads to them. You can even choose beads that are symbolic to you and your chum. Try looking for beads that represent what it is that you like about your buddy or perhaps something that reflects both of your personalities.

To add beads to your bracelet, simply thread floss into a needle and string the beads according to the pattern that you like. Watch out when stringing your beads so you won’t make that many mistakes. It’s also helpful to design the pattern before you begin to make the bracelet.

Making friendship bracelets is actually a great way to bond with your chum. It’s simple and easy to make plus the product is truly something you will both love for ages.

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Your creativity and a few materials are all you need to create these must have friend accessories. The following guide will walk you through the process from start to finish.

Friendship bracelets are most commonly made from thread and beads. Both materials are very easy to get, and are inexpensive. These friend bracelets are all about the symbolism, and you will be able to find all you need either lying around the house or on the internet. Use embroidery thread for the cross pattern that we will use, and let your creativity run wild with beads to accessorize.

Once you have selected your colored embroidery thread for the bracelet, cut a length that is appropriate for your friends wrist. Remember it is easier to shorten a bracelet that is too long rather than increase the size of one that is too short, so go big, you will thank yourself after.

Start by fastening the thread on the top, either with a fastener, or using something as simple as a hand made knot. You can use multiple embroidery threads and then pattern them with a twist if you like, or a single thread that can be accessorized with the beads. In both cases, try to visualize how you want your friendship bracelet to look when it is finished, and then work towards that. If you choose the multiple thread route, use the same twist pattern that you would if you were braiding someones hair.

Choose colored glass beads that have meaning too you. The important part is to pack the bracelet with as much meaning and emotion as you can, and your friend will pickup on what you choose. It is ok if you make a mistake, or the pattern looks awkward, as long as it comes with a story of why you chose that bead color or shape that throws everything off. The extra thought you put into your bracelet will show, and your friend will appreciate it.

Lastly, you will want to tie off the other end of your bracelet once you have completed your pattern. A simple knot will suffice, and you can adjust the length to fit your friends wrist as needed. You can also find a number of beading patterns available online that can guide your project and give your beaded friendship bracelet a beautiful finished look, it all depends on your friend and what you want to accomplish. Just be sure to express your gratitude for having someone special in your life with your work.

Knowing how to make friendship bracelets is just the beginning, check out how quality Bead Supplies can transform your creation. Unlock your creativity and check out the free jewelry making guides, patterns and more about Jewelry Making today!

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Today, friendship bracelets are still popular and now, they are more stylish than ever. Silver bracelets are the number one choice, as they offer you the freedom to engrave a personal message, initials or a secret saying between you and your BFF. You can choose between a heart, oval or round shaped tag and more. Designers are constantly coming out with new designs and styles to accommodate the friendships that are symbolized by these bracelets worldwide. Look online for the latest designs that not only look fabulous, but also are completely affordable.

Another option for friendship bracelets are those that incorporate colors and symbols. For example, get your bestie a bracelet with her birthstone or favorite color. Pick up a matching one for yourself and you’ll be a set. Bracelets don’t have to be marked with the word “friendship” for you to give them as gifts. You can turn any bracelet into a friendship bracelet. Try a charm bracelet adorned with symbols that relate to her favorite activities, sports and hobbies. Present it with a card and a well written message for a complete package that will be much appreciated. Friendship bracelets can be given between two friends, or an entire group. Girls can give them to their mothers or their schoolmates. Women of any age can get in on this timeless trend that is fun to wear and will never go out of style.

Posted by Cherry Bruce, you can find more articles about bracelets: friendship bracelets, sterling silver bracelets, CZ bracelets, CZ jewelry sterling silver jewelry on her profile page.

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