Friendship bracelet...

How to make a friendship bracelet: Friendship bracelets have a very special place in people’s hearts. The simple knotted thread patterned bracelets, which is given by one friend to another is a symbol of their friendship. Everyone, regardless of gender or age, can wear this friendship band, and you can even make it on your own. There are many websites and booklets, which teach how to make a friendship bracelet.

Given below are three simple steps, which give directions on how to make a simple friendship bracelet:

• Start making your bracelet with an overhand knot, leaving a tail of about 3 inches.
• Then grip all the knotted strings with a clipboard or tape.
• Give your bracelet a finishing touch with an overhand knot with 3-inch “tails” again. If you want you can braid the tails or decorate them by putting beads in them.

Free patterns for friendship bracelet: Friendship bracelets come in various patterns and you can try making all of them. You don’t need to go to a workshop to learn how to make a friendship bracelet; you can get hold of a variety of free patterns, which are available on Internet.

Some of the most popular free patterns and designs of friendship bracelets are:

Candystripe
Totem pole
Chevron
Diagonal 3’s
Chinese Staircase or Swirl
Swirl & Braids
Bordered Chevron
Double-chain Knot
Rag Rug

Making a friendship bracelet can be compared to hand weaving, as it is also made by using threads. The number of threads used varies according to the pattern, and the most easy friendship bracelet pattern is known as the double chain knot, which requires two strings.

Instructions about wearing a friendship bracelet: The history of the friendship bracelet can be traced back to the traditional knot-craft and hand weaving of Native American handicrafts, especially of Central America. It was first seen in the United States during the 70’s. There are many indigenous traditions and instructions attached to the wearing of friendship bracelets, the primary one being that the recipient must wear it until the cord wears out and falls off naturally. If you remove it before that, it implies that your relationship with your friend has soured.

The instruction for wearing the friendship band until the cords wear out is based on the idea that since the friend undertook the labor of love by making it, the recipient has to reciprocate likewise, by honoring the friend’s effort.

Another reason for this tradition is that the recipient of the bracelet is entitled to make a wish, and after the bracelet wears out and falls off, the wish is said to come true.

Materials for making friendship bracelets: You can make your friendship bracelet using various materials like beads, shells, silver and copper wires, charms, swarovski crystals etc. If you are not sure what material you want to use for making your friendship bracelet, just log on to the Internet, and you will find various online stores offering a wide selection of choices.

You can also take the help of many online tutorials, which teach you the art of making friendship bracelets, in the most simple and clear manner. These ensure that no soldering or glue messes with the perfection of your bracelet, by teaching you how to make the bracelet simply, by knotting multicolored threads. However, if you want to make a more sophisticated piece, they have instructions for beautiful options like adding a silver charm to a simply made bracelet, to give it a classier look. Ultimately, no one knows your friend like you do, so design a friendship bracelet that suits your friend’s personality the best.