Showing posts with label Friendship Bracelets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friendship Bracelets. Show all posts

Tuesday, 25 June 2013

8 string Chevron Friendship Bracelet with loop tie

Its that time again...

Ok, as previously promised here are some friendship bracelet tips. 


Collect your utensils...(also "here's some I made earlier")

1. To make a 8 string Chevron Friendship Bracelet you will need to cut 8 strings of embroidery thread (whatever colours you fancy) around 60 inches long.

2. Fold these strings in half (like the images below), making sure you are exactly in the middle (you don't want to run out of string!!!).


Fold strings in half...




Make sure they are equal lengths


3. Make a simple knot large enough for one of the plated ends to pass through (roughly around 1/2 - 3/4 an inch down the strings).



Make a simple not at the top of the folded strings




 4. You are ready to make your bracelet. Secure the strings in place by sitting the not behind a clipboard clip (see below).
You are ready to create!


5. See my previous friendship bracelet blog post to learn how to make the simple four and backwards for knots!

6. Once your pattern has reached your desire length, for my 8 string friendship bracelets I usually stop knotting when the pattern reaches around 4.5 - 5 inches, this may depend on the size of your wrist. Remember you don't want t wrap all the way round your wrist, you need to leave room for the tie.

7. As you can see in the image below, after my final "V" tie I keep the forward and backward knotting strings separate (8 of each) and tie knots as close as possibly to the end of the pattern. Then I plat (braid) the stings so they are equal lengths or around 4.5 inches long, then finish with knots and cut off the excess strings (obviously leaving a little tassel).


Finished 8 string bracelets

Tips...

Stuck for colour inspiration?? Take a look at your clothes, do you seen any colour patterns? Style your friendship bracelets to match your outfits :). For example I wanted a casual bracelet to go with my floral dress, what do you think? (see the photo below).

Colour pattern inspiration from your clothes!


Friday, 21 June 2013

Friendship Bracelets

Chevron Friendship Bracelet

So this blog is WAY overdue, apologies but I'm no longer unemployed, but a full blown MA student! I am studying Museum Studies, as I really want to work in a museum...hopefully! I am currently living in Hamar, Norway for my university work placement :). I LOVE Norway, it is so beautiful! I have a lot of spare time on my hands in the evening (when not working on my dissertation, EEK).  

So any way, Friendship Bracelets! At first I was very clumsy whilst making friendship bracelets, I just didn't get it! I think it was because I started off by making an "chevron" bracelet and not just a basic bracelet (half a chevron)!

What you will need!
  • Embroidery Floss  If you are intending to buy floss in the UK I fully recommend purchasing from The Works available in stores and online for £2.99. In a pack you get 30 8 meter skeins.
  • Tape Measure
  • Scissors
  • A Clipboard

Method

The best way to learn is not from me, but from YouTube, that is how I learnt the basic skills. I shall blog my current designs, alternative patterns and tips.

1. Watch this video learn how to make the basic friendship bracelet knots. You will need to know how to create a 4 and backwards 4 knot to make half a chevron or a chevron.


2. Learn how to make a half chevron, "Candy Stripe" friendship bracelet.


3. How to make a chevron friendship bracelet.





These videos are directly linked to YouTube however the author of the videos also has a fab website; **CLICK HERE** to visit the site.

Also the Honestly...WTF blog is a good place to start for friendship bracelet information. I admire there use of colours and their clear instruction photos.

Tips

When I first started to make friendship bracelets I would create platted ties at both ends to fasten them in a bow (see photo below).

- To make these you will need to cut 6 strands of floss measuring 34 inches. Start by knotting the threads together about an inch in then plat one end so it is around 4 inches long.



However... recently I have decided it is easier to tie friendship bracelets by creating a loop, especially for chevron bracelets. To make these chevron bracelets below cut 6 strands measuring 60 inches. Together fold in half and create a knot in the middle, then begin knotting!



Check back soon for more Friendship Bracelet tips and ideas!

Remember to follow my blog :)! Also if you have any tips, patterns or ideas to share feel free to message me or comment on the blogs.