Suzanne McNeill - Friendship Bracelets All Grown Up: Hemp, Floss, and Other Boho Chic Designs to Make

COMBINE A RELAXED HIPPIE VIBE WITH YOUR OWN SENSE OF STYLE.

CELEBRATE THE THINGS YOU LOVE BY MAKING YOUR BRACELET DESIGNS A REFLECTION OF THEMWHETHER ITS MUSIC AND ART, SAND AND SURF, FRIENDS AND FAMILY, OR A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING!

BRING WHAT YOU LOVE INTO THESE DESIGNS, WHETHER ITS VIBRANT COLORS OR SOPHISTICATED FLAIR, AND YOULL LOVE TO WEAR THEM THAT MUCH MORE.

FRIENDSHIP DESIGNS

Bracelets knotted from embroidery floss likely bring to mind childhood memories of school and recess. By incorporating updated colors and creative modifications to match your taste, however, you can transform these designs from middle-school memories to current pieces you are proud to display. Whether youre going for a boho chic, mod, or all-out fashionista look, these designs will allow you to create exactly what you want. To get the hang of things, start with the basic instructions for each pattern to learn how to organize your strands and the order in which to knot them to create your design. Then, get inspired by the hundreds of ways in which you can customize your projects to make them your very own. From color to closures to beads, there are endless ways to make these bracelets as unique as you!

THE BASICS

Unless otherwise stated, use 36" (91.5cm) strands of embroidery floss or No. 3 or No. 5 pearl cotton thread for each color in a design. For designs with two strands of the same color, use 72" (183cm) strands doubled over unless otherwise stated.

To begin

Tie the strands for your bracelet together using an overhand knot with a " (1.5cm) loop at the top. For bracelets using 36" (91.5cm) strands, double over the first few inches to form the loop. For bracelets using 72" (183cm) strands, fold the strands in half to form the loop. Secure the knotted end of your bracelet to your workspace with tape.

KEEPING YOUR KNOTS STRAIGHT

Remember, the terms forward and backward refer to the directions in which your strands move. Forward knots move from left to right, like when you read. Backward knots move from right to left. Terms like forward-backward and backward-forward might seem confusing at first; just do exactly what the name says and youll be fine! For forward-backward knots, tie a forward knot, and then a backward one with the same strand. For backward-forward knots, tie a backward knot, and then a forward knot.

Basic forward knot

Bring the leftmost strand over and then under the strand immediately to the right of it. Pull the end of the working strand through the loop that has formed. Pull the knot up firmly against the overhand knot at the end of the bracelet. This is called a half hitch knot.

Repeat, tying a second half hitch knot using the same strand. Pull the second knot up firmly against the first. You will see that the strands switch places. Always tie two half hitches for each knot before moving on to the next strand.

Basic backward knot

A backward knot is the reverse of a forward knot and is tied onto the strand to the left to move the knot backward. Follow the illustrations to tie a backward knot. Remember, always tie two half hitches for each knot before moving on to the next strand.