As one can imagine, when it comes to friendship bracelets, there are numerous designs. These designs can be used in combinations to create different meanings.
Matching Friendship Bracelets
This is something that has become a trend with these types of bracelets. Some friends decide to have exact matching bracelets. While others will have slight variations in them to show their bond in the similarities but their different characteristics in the slight differences of the bracelets.
Opposites
Another fun thing to do with the friendship bracelets is to have a set made that are opposite to each other. For example, the same colors can be used, but they are reversed in the patterns.
Patterns
For those who are just beginning to take an interest in traditional friendship bracelets, they can soon become overwhelmed with the huge selection of patterns. The long list of these can be cut down because many are very similar and are named according to the region where they are believed to have originated from.
Pattern Elements
To help take the confusion out of the patterns, it can be narrowed down first to the four basic knots that are used in the making of this type of bracelet. Which are:
- Forward knot
- Backward knot
- Forward-backward knot
- Backward-forward knot
Common Designs
Although there are many different patterns to choose from they can fall into different categories according to their intricacies.
Beginner Patterns
To design a friendship bracelet, it means creating a pattern. This is what is followed through the course of the making of the bracelet. Some that are very experienced at making these bracelets can do so from memory others need to rely on a pattern they can constantly refer to. For them, there are two types of patterns they can use.
- Regular Pattern: This is in the form of a diagram and is considered easy to read.
- Alpha Pattern: The pattern is laid out on a grid. A little more complicated for beginners to follow, but once they have been used once or twice, then they become a favorite of many.
Common Designs
Among the long list of designs for the friendship bracelets it includes:
- Basic Diagonal stripe
- Chevron which can include bordered chevron or inverse chevron also double chevron
- Chinese Staircase
- Star of David
- The Wrap
- Totem Pole
And the list goes on
Starting Out Easy
For those who are anxious to get started making friendship bracelets one of the easiest to make is the chevron. Even though the finished design looks quite complicated, it isn’t, and it can create a beautiful bracelet. There are variations to it both in the chevron design itself and the colors that are used.
Choice of Colors
Some find it easier when first starting out with the chevron design to use several different colors. Although it can easily be made with just two colors. Keep in mind that for every color used there has to be two sets of these.
Properly Prepared
It may seem daunting to be working with so many threads, but each of the two sets are separated from each other so they can be woven according to the chevron pattern.
Following the Pattern
When looking at the pattern at first, it may seem overwhelming, but keep in mind that it will all be repetition and what will change is the colors of the thread being woven at the time.
The Chevron
All the chevron pattern is comprised of is a V-shaped mark. As soon as the first few rows of the pattern have been done, it is easy to follow just by looking at the previous rows.
Once the basics of tieing the knots are mastered, and a few simple designs have been completed, it becomes easier to move onto more detailed and intricate patterns. For those who want to step away from the traditional friendship bracelets, they can incorporate other mediums into the bracelets like different types of gemstones. The possibilities are endless when it comes to making friendship bracelets, and it is most interesting when techniques of the old and new are utilized.