Mr. Boxy
|
Friendship bracelets are made out of embroidery floss, which you can pick up at your local craft or fabric store. Each skein will have enough thread for three or four strands. The more strands you have, the wider the bracelet will be; most bracelets use at least six, with alternating colors.
For the most accurate length, cut each strand of floss to be the same length to the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger of the person who will be wearing it. If you can't get this measurement, cut each strand to a length of 30 inches for teens and adults, or 25 inches for children.
Tie the the floss strands together about 1-1/2 to 2 inches below the ends using double knots; this will leave loose ends that you will need to tie the bracelet together later. The floss will need to be held down while you are braiding it. This can be done on a flat surface with some tape, or by putting the floss in a clipboard.
Now you are ready to start braiding. A basic friendship bracelet uses "4" knots, like this:
Starting with the first strand, you move clockwise tying it to the other strands. For example, let's say you have six strands:
1 2 3 4 5 6
You would begin by knotting 1 to 2, 1 to 3, 1 to 4, 1 to 5, and 1 to 6. Next you will start with the second strand. Knot 2 to 3, 2 to 4, 2 to 5, 2 to 6, and then go back and tie 2 to 1. Tie 3 to 4, 5, 6, 1, and 2, and so on. The tension on all of these knots needs to be the same to make a straight bracelet; this will take some practice.
Once you have 1-1/2 to 2 inches left at the end, you can braid them to the strands at the top of the knot you made at the beginning, and then knot them together.
 Posted 5427 day ago
|