Square Knotted Friendship Bracelet Instructions

A friendship bracelet is a symbol of loyalty and love, given from one friend to another. Often, it is a handmade gift, made of simple, inexpensive materials. The giver ties the bracelet to the wrist of the wearer, who does not remove the bracelet until it gets too worn out to wear. Usually, the bracelet breaks and falls off on its own. It is said that when a friendship bracelet breaks or is lost, the wearer gets to make a wish that will come true!

This is an easy friendship bracelet pattern, suitable for school-aged children to make on their own. It's also a low-key and easy Girl Scout project to make in a single meeting, or during "troop time" while at camp. Only one knot, the square knot, is used.

• Midweight string, thread or yarn. Cotton kitchen string is a good, inexpensive material to use, but feel free to experiment with six-strand embroidery thread, thin leather, or even yarn. Very young children may find a mid-weight to thick yarn easiest to handle, or try cotton cording.
• Scissors
• Tape - optional
• Cardboard or 3"x5" index cards - optional, but taping to cardboard or a card gives stability while tying knots and helps keeps the bracelet from twisting as it is made.
  
• Fabric markers - optional, if decorating the bracelet is desired.

Step 1: Cut two lengths of cotton kitchen string, each about 26" in length. Note: if you use thinner material, like embroidery floss, you will need a longer length, up to 52"!

Step 2: (Optional) Tape both strings to cardboard or 3x5" card, about 6" from one end. This will give you a "tail" to help tie-off the finished bracelet. It will also provide stability as you work, keeping the bracelet from twisting as you tie the knots. Note, if you are skipping this step, you'll tie your first knot about 6" from one end, giving you the "tail" for tie-off.

Step 3: Hold one string in the left hand and one string in the right hand. Loop the left-hand string over the right-hand string, like you're tying a pair of shoelaces, and pull snug to the tape. Note that your strings have switched hands. Keep them this way, and now loop the right-hand string over the left-hand string and pull snug to complete the knot.

Step 4: Now make another square knot as you did in the previous step, beginning by looping the left-hand string over the right-hand string, pulling snug against the previous knot. Finish by looping the right-hand string over the left hand string to complete the knot. Continue to tie square knots following the pattern: "Left loops over right, starts my knot tight. Then right over left, gives my knot heft. "

Occasionally stop to measure the length of the bracelet as you make it. When it is the length you want, cut the long side to create a 6" to 8" long "tail." Remove the bracelet from the cardboard if you taped it down.

Optional: At this point,, if you used plain white cotton kitchen string, you can use fabric markers to decorate your bracelet. Or leave it plain.

Step 5: Tie the bracelet to the wearer in one of two ways:

• Method A: Hold all four ends together and make one overhand knot close to wearer's wrist. Leave enough room so that the bracelet is comfortable. Trim ends to desired length.
• Method B: Hold one 2-stranded "tail" in the left-hand, and the other 2-stranded 'tail" in the right-hand, and tie another square knot close to the wearer's wrist. Leave enough room so that the bracelet is comfortable. Trim ends to desired length.