Friendship bracelets are a timeless summer craft. Do you remember making them as a child? Bracelet-making was one of my favorite activities—bright threads, repeating patterns, and the satisfying braids and knots make it endlessly fun.
I used to make bracelets with friends, trade them at school, and give them as little gifts. Lately I’ve noticed kids wearing them again, and thanks to trends like Pura Vida, even teens are rediscovering the charm of simple, stranded bracelets. If you’re planning matching nails with your new bracelets, cheerful summer nail designs pair perfectly with these colorful bands.
Easy and Fun Friendship Bracelets
These bracelets are different from macramé-based designs. They’re made using finger-weaving loops. Changing which loops you use creates different patterns. The first bracelet demonstrated here is a flat seven-strand braid, and it’s a great starting point.
Friendship Bracelet Supplies
- Embroidery floss in a variety of colors — a loosely twisted, six-strand thread sold in skeins (about 8 yards each).
- Scissors
- Pins
- Patience and nimble fingers
Friendship Bracelet Video
If you prefer a visual guide, this short video demonstrates the technique in a few simple steps and makes the process easy to follow.
How to Make Friendship Bracelets
Follow these step-by-step instructions to learn the basics.
1. Cut seven strands of embroidery floss about 24 inches long. You can adjust the length as you get comfortable with the pattern. Tie both ends together in a knot.
2. Secure the knot with a safety pin to a pant leg, pillow, or other surface. Separate the looped strands and place them on your fingers — four strands on one hand and three on the other.
3. You will always work with the hand that holds the three strands. In the photos this is the right hand. Your pinky finger does most of the work.
Depending on the pattern you want, loop your pinky under selected strands and pull the end loop through. The sequence of strands you loop determines the final look.
4. For a flat braid, loop your pinky through strands 2, 3, 6, and 7 in order.
5. After looping, grab the last loop with your pinky (release it from the pointer finger) and pull it through the remaining strands, then tighten. You should now have four loops on the opposite hand.
6. Shift the loops on the hand with three strands toward your pointer finger so that the pinky is free again.
7. Continue finger weaving back and forth with your pinky until the bracelet reaches the desired length. Unloop all fingers and tie an overhand knot at the end to secure the braid.
Kids can stay happily occupied making string bracelets all summer. Some may even want to sell their creations—homemade bracelet stands and neighborhood sales are classic summer memories.
by Beckie from Infarrantly Creative and Knock Off Décor
Friendship Bracelet Patterns
- Once you’ve mastered this braid, try other styles and patterns—there are many variations that use similar techniques and different color arrangements.
- Chevron patterns create striking angled stripes and are a favorite for mixing colors.
- Round bracelets use a braiding disc or loom and give a different, tubular look compared with flat braids.
- Rope-style bracelets are another easy variation and make great gifts.
- Use fabric scraps for a textured friendship bracelet—an excellent way to repurpose fabric and an easy method for younger kids.
- Yarn friendship bracelets are gentler on small hands and can be easier for younger makers to braid and knot.
I hope you enjoy learning to make these bracelets. They’re simple, portable, and a great creative activity for summer.
Kids Crafts and Activities
- Oobleck is a fun sensory activity that amazes kids and keeps them engaged for hours.
- Slime remains a household favorite—there are many recipes to try at home for different textures and effects.
- Kool-Aid can be used for more than drinks—try using it for creative dyeing projects.
- Beginner sewing projects are a practical, creative skill for kids to learn.
- Cross-stitch letters are a calm, focused activity that introduces kids to counted-thread embroidery.
- Scratch art is a colorful, simple craft that kids love to reveal with each etch.
- For summer planning, gather a list of activities and crafts to keep kids entertained — a summer bucket list can help organize favorite ideas.
Pick the projects that appeal to you most and create a summer bucket list filled with crafts, activities, and creative goals.