Heart friendship bracelet pattern
A row of hearts on a plain background, tied from a 12-string knot chart. Pick your colours and see it before you start.
Your colours
Click a colour to change it. The preview updates as you go.
Strings to cut
12 strings of embroidery floss, each about 90 cm (36 in) long:
- 6 × A DMC B5200 Snow White
- 6 × B DMC 321 Red
Left to right:BABAABABABAB
Knot chart
Strings along the top. Tie each row left to right, then repeat the rows from the top. Every circle is one knot, in the colour that shows.
Row by row
- Row 11–2 3–4 5–6 7–8 9–10 11–12
- Row 22–3 4–5 6–7 8–9 10–11
- Row 31–2 3–4 5–6 7–8 9–10 11–12
- Row 42–3 4–5 6–7 8–9 10–11
- Row 51–2 3–4 5–6 7–8 9–10 11–12
- Row 62–3 4–5 6–7 8–9 10–11
- Row 71–2 3–4 5–6 7–8 9–10 11–12
- Row 82–3 4–5 6–7 8–9 10–11
- Row 91–2 3–4 5–6 7–8 9–10 11–12
- Row 102–3 4–5 6–7 8–9 10–11
How to make the heart bracelet
- Cut and set up. Cut 12 strings about 90 cm (36 in) long: 6 in the heart colour (B) and 6 in the background (A). Knot them together and lay them out in the order shown above the chart.
- Read one row at a time. Odd rows tie strings 1–2, 3–4, 5–6 and so on; even rows tie 2–3, 4–5 and so on, leaving the edge strings out.
- Tie the knot each arrow shows. The colour of the circle is the colour that should end up on top: if it isn't, check the knot type.
- Repeat the chart. After row 10, go back to row 1. Every repeat makes one heart.
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.
New to bracelets? Start with the candy stripe and chevron. For a name or a picture, use the name bracelet maker.
Questions
How many strings does the heart bracelet need?
12 strings: 6 for the hearts and 6 for the background, set up in the order shown on the chart. Each is about 90 cm (36 in) long.
Is the heart pattern hard?
It is a step up from the chevron because it uses all four knots, including forward-backward (>) and backward-forward (<), which keep the background colour showing. Follow the chart one row at a time and it is very doable.
How do I read the knot chart?
The strings are along the top. Each row is tied left to right, joining strings 1 and 2, 3 and 4, and so on, or 2 and 3, 4 and 5 on the next row. The arrow says which knot to tie and the circle shows which colour should be on top.
Can I change the heart colour?
Yes. Pick any colours above: the preview and chart update. Strong contrast, like red on white, shows the hearts best.
How many hearts will my bracelet have?
Each heart takes 10 rows. Most bracelets fit 6 to 9 hearts, depending on your wrist and tension.