DIY: The Crazy Complicated Friendship Bracelet

As I'm writing this, I think about how I could just cry about trying to explain this bracelet to you. We had a reader request that we try to recreate a friendship bracelet that she had found and while we usually don't take requests, I was intrigued by this particular bracelet. I had to have one of my own, that I created on my own. I spent two days trying to figure it out and let me just say, this bracelet is NOT for amateurs. If you are looking for something easier, check out our new DIY friendship bracelet that takes about 15 minutes here.

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If you can't make a chevron friendship bracelet with your eyes closed, you probably should not attempt this tutorial. It may end in utter confusion and tears may be involved. Anyhow, if you dare to proceed reading this post, make sure you know what forwards and backwards knots are. It will be super helpful. Also, I start explaining from the middle of the bracelet because the bracelet looks crazy in the beginning. When you start, I recommend not tying a knot but wrapping some tape around the group of string. That way you will be able to finish both ends of the bracelet the same way, allowing it to lay flat on your wrist.

So you will need 4 colors of string. Also, I used yarn. It's way faster than friendship thread and it's harder to mess this bracelet up.

Color 1 (Peach): 4 - 48in. pieces

Color 2 (Pink): 4 - 48in. pieces

Color 3 (Dark Blue): 4 - 48in. pieces

Color 4 (Light Blue): 2 - 48in. pieces

The first picture shows the order your strings should be in. Start tying forward knots with the string furthest left. Move inward for 4 strings. The 5th knot you tie will be a backward knot on the (in this case) light blue string.

You should now have 5 knots, a nice little row of peach. Now you will repeat on the opposite side with opposite knots. Start with the furthermost string on the right and tie backwards knots inward for 4 strings.

Tie a fifth knot on the next string, but make sure it's a forward knot.

Repeat the same thing on both sides but don't worry about the 5th knot this time. Only tie 4 knots and stop. Take the middle string (dark blue) and tie a backward knot to the left on two strings.

With the other middle string, tie two forward knots to the right. Take the new middle string on the left (light blue) and tie a forward knot on the other light blue string. With the light blue string on the right, tie a backward knot on the pink string to the left. It feels a little weird but it works.

With the light blue string on the left, tie a forward knot on the peach string. Again, weird but ya... you'll be doing this a lot on this bracelet.

Then with the light blue string on the left, tie a forward knot on the other light blue string. Taking the string that is second from the left, tie a forward knot on the outside string.

Then finish the row like a regular chevron bracelet. Forward knots all the way to the middle. Repeat this process on the right. Take the string that is second from the right and tie a backward knot on the outside piece of string.

Then finish with backward knots all the way to the middle and onto the other dark blue string. Repeat, repeat, repeat and you're almost done! I split the left over string into two sections and braided each section, finished with a knot.

I did the same at the beginning of my bracelet and then tied the braids together so there is a little opening for the end braids to fit into.

Phew... glad I made it through that one. I think I'll take a break from friendship bracelets for a while now. And if I can find jewelry findings big enough for this bracelet, I'll make it more removable, fa sho. If you like this post and would like to see more like it, please pin the image below!

xo, Savannah

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