How to Make a Heart Friendship Bracelet

1. 1

   Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

   Watch this step · 0:36

   Enlarge

   You only need a handful of things to make a heart bracelet. Pick two colors of six-strand embroidery floss - one for the hearts and one for the background. Bright colors against white show the hearts off best, but any two contrasting shades work.

   Grab a small button (slightly bigger than the loop you'll tie at the top), a piece of masking tape, scissors, and an embroidery needle. The needle is for fishing out a tight knot if you slip up midway. You won't need it most of the time, but it saves a bracelet when you do.

   Tip:

   For your first heart bracelet, pick two colors with strong contrast (red and yellow, navy and white, black and pink). Subtle color pairs make the heart pattern hard to read.

   Mark step done

   Used in this stepDMC Embroidery Floss 36-PackEmbroidery ScissorsEmbroidery NeedlesMasking Tape

   Back to all steps

2. 2

   Step 2: Cut and Fold Your Floss

   Watch this step · 0:42

   Enlarge

   Cut two strands of each color at about 50 inches (1.2 meters) long. That gives you four strands total - two heart-color, two background-color.

   Stack the four strands so the ends line up, then fold the whole bundle in half. The fold creates a small loop at the top - that loop is your button closure. Tie a single overhand knot right below the fold to lock the loop in place. The loop should be just barely bigger than your button.

   Tip:

   50 inches sounds long but knotting eats up a lot of length. Don't cut shorter or you'll run out before the bracelet wraps your wrist.

   Mark step done

   Used in this stepCloth Tape Measure

   Back to all steps

3. 3

   Step 3: Tape It Down and Arrange the Threads

   Watch this step · 1:00

   Enlarge

   Stick the knot to a flat surface with the masking tape - a table, a clipboard, even a hardcover book. Anything that holds the top still so both your hands stay free.

   Now spread the eight strand ends out below the knot in a fan. Divide them into two sets of four. Here's the important part: the colors have to mirror each other. The outermost strand on each side should be the heart color, and the two innermost strands on each side should be the background color. Left side and right side should look like reflections.

   Tip:

   If the colors aren't mirrored, the hearts will come out lopsided or won't form at all. Take an extra ten seconds to double-check before you start knotting.

   Mark step done

   Back to all steps
4. 4

   Step 4: Make Two Normal Chevron Rows

   Watch this step · 1:40

   Enlarge

   Start with the outermost strand on the LEFT. Lay it across the next strand to make a 4-shape, loop the end under and back through the opening, then pull tight. That's one forward knot. Always knot twice on the same strand before moving on. Repeat across the remaining two left-side strands until the working strand reaches the middle.

   Now switch to the right side. Take the outermost strand on the RIGHT and do the same thing in reverse - a backward knot (mirror 4-shape, loop under, through, twice). Work toward the middle. Tie two final backward knots in the center to join the halves. That's one chevron row. Do it again exactly the same way for row two.

   Tip:

   Always knot twice. A single knot will slip loose and the chevron will pull out of shape after a few more rows.

   Mark step done

   Back to all steps

5. 5

   Step 5: Make Two Special Rows for the Heart Shape

   Watch this step · 4:50

   Enlarge

   The special rows are what carve the heart shape into the pattern. On the LEFT, take the second-outermost strand (background color) and make a backward knot over the outermost strand (heart color). Knot twice, then leave that outer heart strand sitting in place - don't touch it again this row.

   Switch to the second strand and forward-knot it toward the middle, over the remaining two strands. Now mirror it all on the right side: second-outermost makes a forward knot over the outermost, leave the outer alone, then backward-knot the second strand toward the middle. Join the halves in the center. Do this twice. After the second special row, you'll see the first heart appear.

   Tip:

   Don't panic if the first heart looks wonky - the pattern locks in once you start the next set of normal rows. Keep going.

   Mark step done

   Back to all steps

6. 6

   Step 6: Repeat Until the Bracelet Fits Your Wrist

   Watch this step · 7:12

   Enlarge

   From here, the pattern is just a loop: two normal rows, then two special rows, then two normal, then two special. Every set of four rows produces one heart. The rhythm clicks after the second or third repeat and your hands take over.

   Keep going until the bracelet wraps around your wrist with about half an inch to spare. Sara mentions hers takes about three hours total - that's normal. Put on a show, settle in, and don't rush. Even, snug knots beat fast and messy.

   Tip:

   Measure your wrist before you start so you know the target length. Most adult wrists need 6 to 7 inches of bracelet plus the loop and button.

   Mark step done

   Back to all steps

7. 7

   Step 7: Finish With a Button Closure

   Watch this step · 7:37

   Enlarge

   When the bracelet is the right length, tie a tight overhand knot with all eight strands to lock the work in place. That single knot keeps your hours of knotting from unraveling.

   Now pick one strand of embroidery floss and thread it through both holes of the button. Push the button up against the end of the bracelet and tie two or three knots to anchor it tight. Trim every loose end. The button slips through the starting loop at the top to close the bracelet on your wrist.

   Tip:

   A dab of clear nail polish on the final knot stops the floss from fraying long-term. Let it dry before you wear it.

   Mark step done

   Used in this stepAssorted Sewing ButtonsClear Nail Polish

   Back to all steps

Keep going

How to Make String Bracelets - Easy Fishtail Pattern

7 steps · about 8 minutes

→

Tools we recommend

• E6000

  E6000 Craft Adhesive, Clear (3.7 oz)

  The industrial-strength craft glue that bonds glass, wood, ceramic, metal, fabric, and concrete. The one adhesive most craft projects reach for.

• Gorilla

  Gorilla Dual-Temp Full-Size Hot Glue Gun

  Dual-temp so it handles delicate florals and heavy materials alike. A precise nozzle and built-in stand make it the everyday craft-table gun.

• OLFA

  OLFA 18" x 24" Self-Healing Cutting Mat

  The pro-standard cutting surface. Gridlines for square cuts, self-healing so blades never leave grooves, and big enough for paper, fabric, and leather.

Tags