Friendship Bracelets: Easy Patterns Guide

By Lisa Anderson · October 14, 2026

Why Friendship Bracelets?

Friendship bracelets teach patience, pattern recognition, and fine motor skills. They're portable, inexpensive, and make meaningful gifts that strengthen social bonds.

Getting Started

Materials Needed

Embroidery floss (6-strand cotton)
Scissors
Tape or clipboard to hold threads
Beads (optional)

Basic Setup

Cut floss to about 36 inches per strand. Knot all strands together at the top, leaving 3 inches for tying. Tape the knot to a table or clip to a clipboard. Separate strands and you're ready to knot.

Pattern 1: Candy Stripe

The simplest pattern. Use 4-6 colors. Take the leftmost strand and knot it over each strand to the right (two knots per strand). When you reach the right side, that strand becomes the new leftmost. Repeat.

Pattern 2: Chevron (V-Shape)

Use an even number of strands in pairs of colors. Work from both outside edges toward the center, making knots inward. The two center strands get knotted together. Repeat, creating V patterns.

Pattern 3: Diamond

Start with a chevron, then reverse the direction to create an inverted V below it. The result is a diamond shape. Requires 8-12 strands for best results.