Friendship bracelets. They’re basically the universal symbol for “I tolerated you for an entire summer camp session, so here’s some knotted thread.” 😉 But in all seriousness, making a bracelet for your best friend is one of those tiny gestures that actually means something. It’s not about buying the most expensive gift; it’s about the time you spent knotting and cursing under your breath when you dropped a bobbin for the tenth time.
I’ve been making these things since I was probably too old to be making them, and I still get a ridiculous amount of satisfaction from seeing a finished knot on someone’s wrist. So, I pulled together eight of my favorite DIY friendship bracelet patterns that are perfect for you and your bestie. Some are classic, some are a little more modern, but all of them are totally doable, even if your knot-tying skills are a little rusty.
Why Bother Making One? (Besides the Obvious)
Ever noticed how a handmade gift just feels different? It’s not just the object; it’s the energy you put into it. When you sit down to make a bracelet for someone, you’re essentially giving them your time and focus.
Plus, let’s be honest, buying a matching set of bracelets online is fine, but making them? That’s a story. When someone asks your bestie where she got her bracelet, she gets to say, “Oh, my amazing friend made it for me.” That’s a flex. IMO, that’s way better than saying you got it at a mall kiosk. :/
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Before we jump into the patterns, let’s talk supplies. You don’t need a fancy kit to start. Raid your craft drawer or take a quick trip to the store.
- Embroidery Floss: This is your bread and butter. It’s cheap, comes in a million colors, and has the perfect twist for knotting.
- Scissors: A sharp pair is your best friend. Dull scissors will just fray the floss and make you want to quit.
- Tape or a Clipboard: You need a way to hold your bracelet down while you work. I’m a clipboard fanatic because I can take it anywhere, but taping the starter strings to a table works perfectly too.
- A Safety Pin (Optional): Some people like to pin the bracelet to their jeans. I find this leads to me accidentally stabbing myself, but you do you.
Alright, tools are ready. Let’s make some knots.
1. The Classic Candy Stripe
This is where most of us started, right? The candy stripe is the gateway bracelet. It’s simple, repetitive, and almost impossible to mess up once you get the rhythm. It’s perfect for a bestie who loves things that are simple and classic.
The Pattern
You’ll need three to six strands of floss, each about 30 inches long. Tie them together in a knot at the top, leaving a little loop if you want, and secure it to your workspace.
- Step 1: Separate the strands so they’re in order. The color on the far left will be your working color for the first row.
- Step 2: Take that leftmost strand and make a forward knot (a “4” shape) over the strand next to it. Pull it tight. Do the same knot again on the same two strings. (FYI, every knot in a friendship bracelet is actually a double knot!)
- Step 3: Continue making forward knots with that same left strand over each of the remaining strands to the right. Once you reach the end, that original left strand is now on the far right.
- Step 4: Grab the new leftmost strand (the one that’s now first in line) and repeat the process.
You’ll start to see diagonal stripes forming. Keep going until the bracelet is long enough to wrap around your bestie’s wrist. It’s repetitive, but honestly, it’s kind of meditative. I love making these while watching a movie I’ve already seen a hundred times.
2. The Chevron (or Arrowhead)
The chevron is the slightly cooler, more sophisticated older sibling of the candy stripe. It creates a distinct “V” or arrow pattern down the center. It looks way more complicated than it is, which makes you look like a total pro.
Making the “V”
For this one, you’ll need an even number of strands. I usually use four colors and cut two strands of each, so I have eight total. Arrange them in mirror-image order. For example: if your colors are A, B, C, D, you’d arrange them as A, B, C, D, D, C, B, A.
- Step 1: Working from the left side, take the far-left strand (A) and make forward knots toward the center until you reach the middle strands (the two D’s).
- Step 2: Now, working from the right side, take the far-right strand (A) and make backward knots (a reversed “4” shape) toward the center until you reach the middle.
- Step 3: When both A strands are in the middle, make a forward knot (or a backward knot, just be consistent) with the left A over the right A to connect them. The “V” is complete!
- Step 4: You’ll now have a new set of strands on the left and right (B, C, D…). Repeat the process, always working from the outside in.
The first time you connect those two outside strands in the middle, it’s pure magic. Seriously, I still get a little thrill from it.
3. The Super-Simple Braided Leather Cord
Maybe your bestie isn’t the colorful, boho type. Maybe her style is more minimalist and sleek. This one’s for her. It uses leather cord, which feels a little more modern and can be worn with literally anything.
Materials & Method
Grab some thin leather or suede cord in a neutral color—black, tan, or navy are my go-tos. You’ll also need a little bit of waxed linen thread or just a thin piece of the embroidery floss in a matching color.
- Step 1: Cut three lengths of the leather cord, each about 10-12 inches long.
- Step 2: Tie a simple overhand knot at one end, leaving a little tail. Braid the three strands together. It’s just a simple hair braid—nothing fancy.
- Step 3: Once you’ve braided to the desired length, tie another tight overhand knot at the other end.
- Step 4: To finish, take your thin thread and tightly wrap it several times around the braid just below the end knot on both sides. Tie it off and snip the ends.
This takes maybe ten minutes to make, but it looks like it cost forty bucks at a boutique. I’ve made these for friends who aren’t really “jewelry people,” and they never take them off.
4. The Wrapped Hoop Charm Bracelet
Okay, this one is a little different. It’s not a knotted bracelet in the traditional sense, but it’s so cute and customizable, I had to include it. It’s perfect if you want to add a little charm or personalization.
How to Assemble It
You’ll need a simple metal hoop (like a large jump ring or a small curtain ring), embroidery floss in your bestie’s favorite color, and a small charm or bead.
- Step 1: Secure your floss to the hoop with a simple knot. Start tightly wrapping the floss around and around the hoop, covering the entire metal surface. Keep the wraps close together so no metal shows through.
- Step 2: When you get to where you want the charm to hang, thread a few beads or a charm onto the floss before continuing to wrap. This will attach it directly to the hoop.
- Step 3: Continue wrapping until the whole hoop is covered. Tie off the end and trim the excess floss.
- Step 4: Attach a thin chain or a simple knotted floss cord through the hoop so it can be worn as a bracelet.
This is where you can get really personal. Does your friend love cats? Find a tiny cat charm. Is she obsessed with avocados? I bet you can find an avocado bead. The possibilities are endless.
5. The Totem Pole Animal Pattern
Feeling a little more adventurous? This is for the bestie who deserves something truly unique. These are patterns that use knots to create images—animals, letters, symbols. It’s basically pixel art for your wrist.
Reading a Pattern
You can find thousands of these patterns for free online. They look like grids on graph paper, with each colored square representing a knot. You’ll use a technique called forward-backward and backward-forward knots to change colors mid-row.
- Start with a base string (the string you’re knotting onto) and a working string (the color you’re knotting with).
- To create a shape, you’ll tie a forward knot with one color, and then immediately tie a backward knot with a different color to switch them.
- It sounds confusing, and it is at first! My first attempt at a heart pattern ended up looking more like a lumpy potato. But once you get the hang of switching colors, you can make almost anything.
Don’t be afraid to mess this one up. It’s all part of the learning process. And if you nail it, your friend will be showing it off forever.
6. The Dimensional Zig-Zag (Fringed)
This bracelet has a fun, textured look because the knots are tied on the diagonal, creating a fringe or “teeth” along the edge. It’s a great way to use up scrap floss, too.
Creating the Fringe
For this, you’ll use multiple strands, but you won’t be knotting all the way across in a straight line.
- Step 1: Cut about 6-8 strands of floss, varying the lengths a little. Fold them in half and make a loop at the top.
- Step 2: Take the leftmost strand and make forward knots only on the next 3 or 4 strands. Stop before you get to the end.
- Step 3: Take the next strand, and do the same thing, knotting it onto the same group of strands, or one less.
- Step 4: You’re essentially creating a staircase effect. By not knotting all the way across, the unused strands will hang loose, creating a cool, fringed edge.
It looks like a little woven ladder or a zigzag of color. It’s a fun twist on the standard flat bracelet.
7. The Super-Easy Spiral Staircase
Remember how I said the candy stripe was the easiest? I lied a little. The spiral staircase is actually the easiest. It’s a single, repeating knot that naturally twists into a beautiful spiral cord. It’s great for a friend who likes things a little edgy.
The Never-Ending Knot
You only need two strands of floss for this, but using two colors makes the spiral really pop. Tie them together at the top.
- Step 1: Take the left strand and make a forward knot over the right strand.
- Step 2: Here’s the key: Only tie it once. Remember how I said most knots are double knots? Not this one. You tie a single forward knot, and the bracelet will naturally start to twist to the right.
- Step 3: Keep going! That’s it. Just keep tying the left strand over the right strand with a single knot. Over and over.
In just a few rows, you’ll see it starting to coil. It’s almost like magic. This is the perfect bracelet to make while you’re waiting in line or chatting on the phone because you don’t even have to think about it.
8. The Beaded and Braided Combo
This one is for the friend who loves a little sparkle or texture. It combines simple braids with accent beads, giving it a more polished, jewelry-like feel. It’s super forgiving and looks great on everyone.
Mixing Materials
You’ll need three strands of embroidery floss (or one thick strand of yarn) and some pony beads or seed beads with holes big enough to fit over your floss.
- Step 1: Tie your three strands together at the top. Start a simple braid.
- Step 2: After about an inch of braiding, take the left strand and thread a bead onto it. Push it up close to the braid.
- Step 3: Take the right strand and thread a bead onto it.
- Step 4: Continue braiding for another inch or so, then add more beads on the outer strands.
- Step 5: Finish with a knot at the end.
You can coordinate the bead colors with the floss, or go for a contrasting pop. I love using metallic beads with plain white floss for a clean, classic look. It’s simple, but the beads make it feel special.
Wrapping It Up (Pun Intended)
So there you have it—eight different ways to tell your best friend, “Hey, I think you’re pretty great.” Whether you go for the meditative repetition of a candy stripe or the modern minimalism of a leather braid, the thought and effort you put in is what really counts.
Honestly, the best part isn’t even the finished bracelet. It’s sitting there, maybe making a mess, maybe messing up a knot and having to start over, all while thinking about your friend. That’s the good stuff.
Now, go raid your floss collection and get knotting! Your bestie’s wrist is looking a little empty, don’t you think?
