DIY: Friendship Bracelets (with pattern)

This week I took a trip to the Art Store this week and invested in lots and lots of beads and thread.

I’ve been dabbling in the childhood craft of freindship bracelets after seeing some selling for over £5 in urban outfitters and downright refusing to pay the pricetag. At first I just braided for simple bracelets, pushing beads on every 10 repatitions or so. Before long I was trying more complex patterns and found a whole bunch of free patterns on http://friendship-bracelets.net/ which are really easy to follow. Knotting over and over is really calming.

I’m most proud of my cat bracelet. The bead is a ceramic shaped cat 50p from the art store. Thick cotton (35p a metre) is a nice alternative to leather, which when damp tends to smell a bit which with weather in Scotland is a real concern. :p. The pattern could not be easier (click for larger images):

repeat over and over. If you like, add a bead onto one thread instead of making the knot, continue the pattern as before.

Tips:

• Sellotape  is your friend- want to avoid looking silly holding string between your teeth or toes? Yeah? Stick it to the table.
• A little bit more- Although you might have measured enough to go round your wrist, remember that string will be knotted over and over and will shrink down. Add an inch or so to compensate.
• UHU need some more in your life- Instead of making large knots, my bff UHU glue on the end of the strings, held for a few seconds and left to dry drys nice and clear while holding firm.