Friendship bracelet patterns
Free patterns from your first candy stripe to hearts and diamonds, each with step-by-step instructions and a preview in your own colours.
- Candy stripe Diagonal stripes, the first pattern most people learn. Only forward knots. Beginner · 8 strings · 4 colours
- Chevron V shapes down the bracelet, made by knotting from both edges to the middle. Easy · 8 strings · 4 colours
- Heart A row of little hearts on a plain background, using forward-backward knots. Intermediate · 12 strings · 2 colours
- Diamond A chain of diamond outlines on a plain background. Intermediate · 10 strings · 2 colours
- Names and words Type any name and get an alpha bracelet pattern with the letters running along the bracelet. Alpha · any length
- Your own picture Turn any photo into an alpha bracelet, keychain or wall hanging pattern. Alpha · from a photo
Where to start
- Candy stripe teaches the forward knot, which is in every pattern.
- Chevron adds the backward knot and working from both edges.
- Heart and diamond use all four knots from a knot chart: the step up to shapes.
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.
Getting set up
- Cut each string about 90 cm (36 in) long and knot them all together about 8 cm from the end.
- Tape the knot to a table or clip it to a clipboard so you can pull against it.
- Spread the strings out in the order the pattern shows, from left to right.
- When the bracelet fits your wrist, tie an overhand knot and braid both ends to tie it on.
Questions
What is the easiest friendship bracelet pattern?
The candy stripe. It uses one knot, the forward knot, repeated across the strings. The chevron is the usual second pattern.
What do I need to make friendship bracelets?
Embroidery floss (DMC or similar), scissors, and something to hold the top still: tape, a clipboard or a safety pin into a cushion. Each string is about 90 cm (36 in) long.
What is the difference between normal and alpha patterns?
Normal patterns are knotted diagonally, string over string, which makes stripes, chevrons and shapes like hearts and diamonds. Alpha patterns are knotted in straight rows over base strings, like pixel art, which suits names and pictures.
How do I read a friendship bracelet knot chart?
The strings are shown along the top. Each row joins neighbouring pairs of strings, left to right, and the arrow says which knot to tie: pointing down to the right is a forward knot, down to the left a backward knot, > forward-backward and < backward-forward. The circle shows the colour that should be on top.
How long should friendship bracelet strings be?
About 90 cm (36 in) per string makes an adult bracelet with ties. Strings that do a lot of knotting run out faster, so cut those a little longer.