How to Tie Friendship Bracelets

Co-authored by Cory Schifter

Last Updated: August 23, 2024 Fact Checked

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Making friendship bracelets can be really fun, but it’s hard to know the best way to tie them onto your wrist. Start your bracelet with a loop on one side or braid the frayed ends on each side. Then, choose from a number of non-permanent ways to tie your bracelet on. While this is easier with a friend’s help, there are different ways you can try to tie your bracelet on yourself.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Tying One Loose End to a Looped End

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Make a loop before starting your friendship bracelet. To make a loop, fold the threads in half and grab the threads where they’re folded at the middle. Tie a knot in the folded threads about 1 in (2.5 cm) down to create a loop. Then, continue making your friendship bracelet!^{[1]
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After you’ve finished making your bracelet, use all of the frayed strings on 1 end to tie a knot. Then, separate the strings into 2 equal groups, make a braid out of each group, and knot the ends. Cut off any excess string that’s coming out of the knot.^{[2]
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Feed 1 braid through the loop and tie for easy security. Once you’ve made 2 braids out of the frayed end of your bracelet, feed 1 braided end through the loop. Then, tie the 2 braided ends together into a knot.^{[3]
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- Take off your bracelet by simply untying the knot to separate the 2 braids. Then, just pull the bracelet away from your wrist.
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Make a sliding knot if you want an adjustable bracelet. Lay the bracelet on a flat surface, grab the very top of the loop, and fold the loop in half down and away from you. Grab this smaller, thicker loop you’ve formed and feed both braids through. Hold the bracelet close to the looped end and pull it so that it tightens around the braid.^{[4]
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- If you want to remove your bracelet, slide the sliding knot down towards the bottom of the braided ends until it’s loose enough to slip off.
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Braid the ends through the loop if they’re long. Pull the bracelet around your wrist, feed 1 braid through the loop, and hold the end in the palm of your hand. Do this with the other braid but pull it towards your elbow. Feed the braid that’s in your palm through the loop and pull it towards your elbow. Feed the other braid through the loop and pull it towards your palm. Repeat this 3 times on each side and then tie the braids together.^{[5]
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- To take off your bracelet, untie the knot. Then, look for the last loop you made in the braid and pull it back through the bracelet’s looped end. Continue pulling out the loops that make up the braid in reverse order until you can remove the bracelet.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Tying Two Loose Ends Together

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Make a single braid out of each frayed end and knot the end of the braid. Then tie the braids together twice and pull it tight. This should secure the bracelet onto your wrist.
Separate each end into 2 groups and make 2 very short braids on 1 side that only repeat the braiding pattern once or twice. Stop, gather all of the loose strings making up the 2 braids, and continue braiding the 2 braids into 1 bigger one. This will create a small hole at the top of the braid. Knot the end and repeat on the other side. Secure the bracelet onto your wrist by feeding each braid through the opposite hole you created.
Overlap the 2 ends and macrame them together. Make a single braid out of each frayed end and secure each of them by knotting the ends. Then, create a circle with the bracelet (in the way that you use when you wrap it around your wrist) and overlap the 2 braided ends so that the bracelet is a desirable size. Then, use two pieces of string, each 2 in (5.1 cm) long, to tie each knotted end of your bracelet to the braid that it’s overlapping. Use another string to tie macrame knots around these overlapping ends between the 2 tied pieces of string, and remove the 2-inch pieces of string when you’re done.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Securing Your Bracelet By Yourself

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Feed the ends through the loop before you put the bracelet on. If you’re putting on a bracelet with a looped end, first feed 1 of the braided ends through the loop and hold the knotted end of that braid to secure the bracelet into the shape of a large circle. While still holding the knotted end with 1 hand, slip the bracelet onto your other hand and pull the end so that the bracelet tightens. Hold 1 braid with 1 hand and the other braid with the other hand and tie them together into a knot.^{[6]
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Place a piece of scotch tape about 2 in (5.1 cm) away from one end of your bracelet. Stick the taped bracelet to the inside of your wrist. Then, bring the other end around and tie the 2 ends together.^{[7]
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Hold the looped bracelet in place with a paper clip. Unfold a paper clip so that it’s in the shape of a narrow “s.” Hold 1 end of the “s” by pressing it against your palm with your fingers from the same hand. Hook the looped end of your bracelet around the other end of the “s.” Bring the braided ends around and tie them together through the loop while holding the loop in place with the paper clip. Then slide the paper clip out.^{[8]
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Question

How can I tie a one-string friendship bracelet?

Community Answer

You tie it as a loop. You would tie a normal knot and leave the end inside the knot.

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Question

Can you make a knot which makes the bracelet not fall off even when you are sleeping?

Red Tree

Community Answer

Yes, square knots will do the job. First, tie a knot the way you would, then the another one but pass it through the other side.

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Question

How do you tie a knot so you can take it out when you want to?

Alcyone Rainbow

Community Answer

If you make a mistake, a needle can be used to untie knots. Tying looser knots can help, but your bracelet won't look as neat.

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