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How To Make a Candy-Stripe Friendship Bracelet!

By: Brenna DeStefano, Jamie Weiss, Taylor Allen

These are instructions for anyone who wants to make a simple version of a friendship bracelet, a candy stripe bracelet. These instructions teach a beginner bracelet maker how to make a simple bracelet and master the basics for learning how to make more complicated bracelets.

Materials Needed:

  • 4 different colors of embroidery thread
  • Tape 
  • Scissors
  • Tape Measure/Ruler  

What is embroidery string? Embroidery thread is just thick string, and it’s the most common material for making friendship bracelets. It’s the easiest to manipulate and creates the prettiest, longest-lasting bracelets. Technically, any type of string or thread can be used to make friendship bracelets, this is just the suggested type.

This is a photo of embroidery string, specifically the type and colors we'll be using.

Instructions:

1.) Using provided scissors and tape measurer, cut 1 piece of each color string, to have 4 total strands. Each strand should be cut to 36 inches. 

2.) Gather all four strings together, make a loop with the strings, and bring one end of the combined string through the loop, forming a large knot at the top, with about 2 inches of string above the knot.

This is a video of how to make the loop and knot that starts the bracelet.

3.) Tape the tied string to a flat surface, like a table, on the free 2 inches of string above the knot.

4.) Separate the 4 strands so there is some space in between each of them. Think of each strand as strands A, B, C, & D when looking at them from left to right across the table.

This photo represents the start of the friendship bracelet before any candy stripe knots are made. This helps readers follow along and understand what it should look like initially.

5.) Fold strand A from the bottom up, with it folding over strand B; forming a shape resembling number 4.

This photo represents one of the hardest steps: folding the strands over one another to create the candy stripe knots. This is meant to guide the reader and simplify the process making clear labels and using arrows for them to follow

6.) Tie a knot with strands A and B. See the first 40 seconds of this video for how to tie a knot.

Note: The 4 strands will now be in the order of BACD.

This is a photo of the bracelet once the first knot is completed. This is what the bracelet will look like prior to completing the first stripe (in step 7)

7.) Using the same method from steps 5 and 6: fold A over C and tie them in a knot. Then fold and tie A over D.

This is a photo of the bracelet once the second knot is complete. This is the 'fold A over C and tie them in a knot' step.

Note: At this point, one stripe of one color should be complete. The rest of the bracelet will repeat the previous steps so new stripes can be formed, creating the bracelet.

8.) The order will now be BCDA. Repeat steps 5-7 for the B strand; moving left to right, or from strand C to D to A.

This is the photo of the first complete stripe. The 3 knots made with the A string are complete. This is how the bracelet will look prior to completing step 8.

9.) The order will now be CDAB. Repeat steps 5-7 for the C strand; moving left to right, or from strand D to A to B.

The second stripe is complete. 3 knots with the B string have been completed. This is how the bracelet will look prior to completing step 9.

10.) The order will now be DABC. Repeat steps 5-7 for the D strand; moving left to right, or from strand A to B to C.

3 stripes of the bracelet are complete and all the knots with the C string are done. This is what the bracelet looks like prior to completing step 10.

11.) Repeat steps 4-10 until you reach a bracelet length that will fit the wrist of the person for whom the bracelet is made. 

Note: As your bracelet progresses, you will see the candy stripe start to form. Check your pattern and make sure the stripes are consistent in width and color positioning. 

This is the photo of the bracelet progressing. This is how the stripes will look as they continue to be made.

12.) Leave about 2 inches of excess string at the bottom to allow for tying the ends together.

13.) Remove tape from the bracelet and table.

14.) Tie the bracelet around your wrist and use scissors to trim the excess string. Be careful not to cut the knot itself. Enjoy your new bracelet!

This photo shows what a completed bracelet looks like to provide a visual example to individuals using these instructions

Media Attribution

1: http://whatido.com/posts/friendship-in-the-form-of-a-bracelet-and-necklace

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