Chevron friendship bracelet pattern

How to make a chevron bracelet

1. Cut and set up. Cut 8 strings about 90 cm (36 in) long, 2 of each colour. Knot them together about 8 cm from the top and tape the knot down. Lay them out as mirror images: A B C D D C B A.
2. Left half. Take the far-left string (A). Tie a forward knot over B, then C, then D. Remember: two half hitches per knot. A is now in the middle.
3. Right half. Take the far-right string (A). Tie a backward knot over B, C and D. Both A strings now meet in the middle.
4. Join them. Tie a forward knot with the left A over the right A. That finishes the first V.
5. Repeat. The outer strings are now the B strings: knot them to the middle the same way, then C, then D, and around again.
6. Finish. When it fits your wrist, tie an overhand knot and braid the ends to tie it on.

The four knots

Every normal friendship bracelet is made from four knots. Each one is two half hitches, and each shows the colour of the string that does the knotting.

• Forward knot. Make a "4" shape with the left string over the right one, loop it under and back up through the gap, and pull it up to the top. Do it twice. The left colour shows and that string moves one place right.
• Backward knot. The mirror image: a backward "4" with the right string over the left one, twice. The right colour shows and that string moves one place left.
• Forward-backward knot (>). One forward half hitch, then one backward. The left colour shows and both strings stay where they were.
• Backward-forward knot (<). One backward half hitch, then one forward. The right colour shows and both strings stay put.

Hold the string being knotted over tight while you pull, so each knot slides up neatly. That's what keeps patterns even.

Ready for more? Try the candy stripe (easier), the heart pattern or see all friendship bracelet patterns. For names and pictures, use the alpha pattern maker.