Jewelry Making
Jewelry Making Basics
By
Stacy Fisher
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Stacy Fisher
Stacy Fisher is an expert on crafting, sewing, and frugal finds, sharing her knowledge of hands-on DIY creations, finding freebies, and budgeting. Stacy was a guest on "The Dr. Oz Show" and featured in Woman's World Magazine. She has nearly two decades of writing and editing experience.
Learn more about The Spruce Crafts'Editorial Process
Updated on 09/22/23
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These free friendship bracelet patterns will show you how to make bracelets with zig-zags, Chinese ladder knots, chevrons, braids, twists, and many other kinds of designs. There are ones perfect for a beginner or children, and other patterns that are great for someone a little ambitious or wanting to make a more sophisticated friendship bracelet.
Friendship bracelets are traditionally made out of embroidery floss, but you'll find all sorts of variations in these tutorials, including bracelets made out of yarn, leather cord, fabric scraps, and other interesting materials. There are also a lot of ways to embellish them with items like tassels and even rhinestones.
It's an easy craft with quick results and before you know it, you'll find that you've made a whole armful of them.
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Chinese Ladder Friendship Bracelet
Here's a Chinese Ladder (also called a Chinese Staircase) friendship bracelet pattern that creates an interesting twisted design using just one simple knot. You can make these with as many different colors of thread as you'd like, to get a more colorful effect. This pattern may look difficult but it's actually pretty straightforward and great for the beginner bracelet maker.
02 of 17
Jelly Fish Bracelets
A jellyfish friendship bracelet pattern is used to make this pretty seven-strand bracelet. Instructions include how to use a paper wheel to make it. It comes together in a unique way and when you look at your dangling threads, you'll realize why it's called the jellyfish bracelet. There's even a free file included if you'd like to make your own wheel with your cutting machine.
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Fabric Scrap Friendship Bracelet
These friendship bracelets are made out of fabric scraps instead of floss. It's a great way to reuse scraps that you'd normally throw away. These are constructed in a similar fashion to traditional friendship bracelets, but jewelry end caps are used to keep everything together and those raw edges tidy.
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Zig-Zag Friendship Bracelet Pattern
This zig-zag friendship bracelet pattern is a perfect project for someone looking to create something a little more interesting than your average bracelet. The colors are selected in graduating shades or analogous colors to create the effect of a 3D ribbon. This pattern is very well explained and tips on working with the strands and finishing the bracelet are included.
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Diagonal Friendship Bracelet
This friendship bracelet pattern creates a diagonal effect and is a great choice for someone making a bracelet like this for the first time. You could really change the colors in the bracelet to create a unique look. Creating an ombre pattern wold really add a nice modern touch.
How to Make a Friendship Bracelet from Simple Practical Beautiful
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Fancy Friendship Bracelets
Take your friendship bracelet making skills to the next level with this free pattern that weaves in a string of jewels while you're making it. It creates a bracelet that looks grown-up and can even be worn to the office or a night out.
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T-Shirt Bracelets
This free friendship bracelet pattern uses old T-shirts as the floss for them instead of the traditional embroidery floss. You'll first need to make T-shirt yarn, which is a quick and easy process. You then use the yarn to wrap and weave it around bangle bracelets. If you like this style, there's also a free pattern to make a headband in the same way.
08 of 17
Easy Braided Friendship Bracelets With Letter Beads
This friendship bracelet pattern uses three colors of embroidery floss to make a simple braid. Alphabet letters and beads are added in the middle of the bracelet to put a twist on the traditional. A button is added as a nice alternative to a simple knot closure. Since these bracelets are only braided, this is a great project for a younger crafter.
Easy Braided Friendship Bracelets with Letter Beads from Projects with Kids
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Friendship Bracelets for Grown-Ups
This friendship bracelet pattern makes a chevron design that can be used to make the bracelets as narrow or as wide as you like. You can use all different colors and combinations of colors to make the bracelet unique. After you've learned to make the bracelet you'll learn how to add an optional tassel, rhinestones, and metal closures. Anything that can be wound in with embroidery floss and worn as a bracelet can be used. These all elevate the bracelet making it a great choice for older teens and adults.
10 of 17
Braided Friendship Bracelets
These unique friendship bracelets are made with baker's twine to get a chunky two-color look that will make you think of a day out at the beach. Since the twine is already twisted with each strand having two colors, half the work is already done for you. A simple braid and an optional knot make for a quickly finished project that you can wear right away. These are very budget-friendly and would be a great choice if you're making a group for a set of friends.
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Round Braid Leather Friendship Bracelets
Another way to elevate your friendship bracelets is by using leather cord instead of embroidery floss. This pattern is a four-strand round braid style that you can use to make a multi-colored bracelet or one all the same color. A trio of the three as shown in the picture would make a lovely set to make and give away to a friend. A video is also included to help you with your creation, making it easier than before to make a friendship bracelet quickly and easily.
12 of 17
Macrame Friendship Bracelets
These friendship bracelets are made with just two basic macrame knots. This tutorial shows you how to make designs like stripes, chevrons, and diamonds. There are also some tips on how to end your friendship bracelets for a unique look.
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Yarn Friendship Bracelets
Here's another friendship bracelet pattern that uses a different material than floss. This one uses inexpensive yarn and a cardboard disk to keep track of all the threads. It creates a fun jellyfish bracelet that's great for all ages. This would be a great summer camp project or a fun activity at a slumber party.
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Friendship Bracelet Made With a Recycled Plastic Lid
Create a seven-strand friendship bracelet easily with this tutorial. Directions include using a recycled plastic lid to help you keep track of where all your floss is. The result is a cute friendship bracelet that anyone would want to wear.
Friendship Bracelet Made With a Recycled Plastic Lid from Chica Circle
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Chevron Friendship Bracelet
Here's a pattern for a chevron friendship bracelet made out of two colors. These instructions are clear and each step is easy to see and understand. Only a few knots are used to make this impressive bracelet. Included are directions on how to make a loop for one end and a braided tie for the other that makes wearing it just as easy as making it.
Chevron Friendship Bracelet from The Spruce Crafts
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Friendship Bracelet Watch
Now that you've mastered the art of friendship bracelet making, you're ready to go to the next step. This project is for a friendship bracelet watch that anyone would be thrilled to receive. A watch face with posts are needed and then embroidery floss is used to create the bracelet part of the watch. A chevron design is used here but any wider design would work great depending on the size of your watch face. Any combination of floss colors can be used, so let your imagination run wild.
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Multiple Friendship Bracelet Tutorials
There are three free friendship bracelets here including alternating half hitch, five-braid (which is shown here), and diagonal bracelets. These go from easiest to most challenging but there are plenty of pictures and directions that show you just how to do it. Give one or all of them a try. One of the tutorials here shows you how to make a loop for a bracelet that can be used to apply to any of the patterns.
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