16 Friendship Bracelet Patterns

These free friendship bracelet patterns will show you how to make bracelets with zig-zags, Chinese ladder knots, chevrons, braids, twists, and many other kinds of designs. There are ones perfect for a beginner or children, and other patterns that are great for someone a little ambitious or wanting to make a more sophisticated friendship bracelet.

Friendship bracelets are traditionally made out of embroidery floss, but you'll find all sorts of variations in these tutorials, including bracelets made out of yarn, leather cord, fabric scraps, and other interesting materials. There are also a lot of ways to embellish them with items like tassels and even rhinestones.

It's an easy craft with quick results and before you know it, you'll find that you've made a whole armful of them.

01 of 16

Chinese Ladder Friendship Bracelet

Design Dazzle

Here's a Chinese Ladder (also called a Chinese Staircase) friendship bracelet pattern that creates an interesting twisted design using just one simple knot. You can make these with as many different colors of thread as you'd like, to get a more colorful effect. This pattern may look difficult but it's actually pretty straightforward and great for the beginner bracelet maker.

Chinese Ladder Friendship Bracelet from Design Dazzle
02 of 16

Jelly Fish Bracelets

The Crafting Chicks

A jellyfish friendship bracelet pattern is used to make this pretty seven-strand bracelet. Instructions include how to use a paper wheel to make it. It comes together in a unique way and when you look at your dangling threads, you'll realize why it's called the jellyfish bracelet. There's even a free file included if you'd like to make your own wheel with your cutting machine.

Jelly Fish Bracelets from The Crafting Chicks
03 of 16

Fabric Scrap Friendship Bracelet

Skip to my Lou

These friendship bracelets are made out of fabric scraps instead of floss. It's a great way to reuse scraps that you'd normally throw away. These are constructed in a similar fashion to traditional friendship bracelets, but jewelry end caps are used to keep everything together and those raw edges tidy.

Fabric Scrap Friendship Bracelet from Skip to my Lou
04 of 16

Zig-Zag Friendship Bracelet Pattern

Moms & Crafters

This zig-zag friendship bracelet pattern is a perfect project for someone looking to create something a little more interesting than your average bracelet. The colors are selected in graduating shades or analogous colors to create the effect of a 3D ribbon. This pattern is very well explained and tips on working with the strands and finishing the bracelet are included.

Zig Zag Friendship Bracelet Pattern from Moms & Crafters

Continue to 5 of 16 below.
05 of 16

Diagonal Friendship Bracelet

Simple Practical Beautiful

This friendship bracelet pattern creates a diagonal effect and is a great choice for someone making a bracelet like this for the first time. You could really change the colors in the bracelet to create a unique look. Creating an ombre pattern wold really add a nice modern touch.

How to Make a Friendship Bracelet from Simple Practical Beautiful
06 of 16

Fancy Friendship Bracelets

A Beautiful Mess

Take your friendship bracelet making skills to the next level with this free pattern that weaves in a string of jewels while you're making it. It creates a bracelet that looks grown-up and can even be worn to the office or a night out.

Fancy Friendship Bracelets from A Beautiful Mess
07 of 16

T-Shirt Bracelets

Crafts by Amanda

This free friendship bracelet pattern uses old T-shirts as the floss for them instead of the traditional embroidery floss. You'll first need to make T-shirt yarn, which is a quick and easy process. You then use the yarn to wrap and weave it around bangle bracelets. If you like this style, there's also a free pattern to make a headband in the same way.

T-Shirt Bracelets from Crafts by Amanda
08 of 16

Easy Braided Friendship Bracelets With Letter Beads

Projects with Kids

This friendship bracelet pattern uses three colors of embroidery floss to make a simple braid. Alphabet letters and beads are added in the middle of the bracelet to put a twist on the traditional. A button is added as a nice alternative to a simple knot closure. Since these bracelets are only braided, this is a great project for a younger crafter.

Easy Braided Friendship Bracelets with Letter Beads from Projects with Kids

Continue to 9 of 16 below.
09 of 16

Friendship Bracelets for Grown-Ups

Good and Simple

This friendship bracelet pattern makes a chevron design that can be used to make the bracelets as narrow or as wide as you like. You can use all different colors and combinations of colors to make the bracelet unique. After you've learned to make the bracelet you'll learn how to add an optional tassel, rhinestones, and metal closures. Anything that can be wound in with embroidery floss and worn as a bracelet can be used. These all elevate the bracelet making it a great choice for older teens and adults.

Friendship Bracelets for Grown-Ups from Good and Simple
10 of 16

Braided Friendship Bracelets

Moms & Crafters

These unique friendship bracelets are made with baker's twine to get a chunky two-color look that will make you think of a day out at the beach. Since the twine is already twisted with each strand having two colors, half the work is already done for you. A simple braid and an optional knot make for a quickly finished project that you can wear right away. These are very budget-friendly and would be a great choice if you're making a group for a set of friends.

Braided Friendship Bracelets from Moms & Crafters
11 of 16

Round Braid Leather Friendship Bracelets

Curly Made

Another way to elevate your friendship bracelets is by using leather cord instead of embroidery floss. This pattern is a four-strand round braid style that you can use to make a multi-colored bracelet or one all the same color. A trio of the three as shown in the picture would make a lovely set to make and give away to a friend. A video is also included to help you with your creation, making it easier than before to make a friendship bracelet quickly and easily.

Round Braid Leather Friendship Bracelets from Curly Made
12 of 16

Macrame Friendship Bracelets

Purl Soho

These friendship bracelets are made with just two basic macrame knots. This tutorial shows you how to make designs like stripes, chevrons, and diamonds. There are also some tips on how to end your friendship bracelets for a unique look.

Macrame Friendship Bracelets from Purl Soho

Continue to 13 of 16 below.
13 of 16

Yarn Friendship Bracelets

A Girl and a Glue Gun

Here's another friendship bracelet pattern that uses a different material than floss. This one uses inexpensive yarn and a cardboard disk to keep track of all the threads. It creates a fun jellyfish bracelet that's great for all ages. This would be a great summer camp project or a fun activity at a slumber party.

Yarn Friendship Bracelets from A Girl and a Glue Gun
14 of 16

Friendship Bracelet Made With a Recycled Plastic Lid

Chica Circle

Create a seven-strand friendship bracelet easily with this tutorial. Directions include using a recycled plastic lid to help you keep track of where all your floss is. The result is a cute friendship bracelet that anyone would want to wear.

Friendship Bracelet Made With a Recycled Plastic Lid from Chica Circle
15 of 16

Chevron Friendship Bracelet

Mollie Johanson

Here's a pattern for a chevron friendship bracelet made out of two colors. These instructions are clear and each step is easy to see and understand. Included are directions on how to make a loop for one end and a braided tie for the other.

Chevron Friendship Bracelet from The Spruce Crafts
16 of 16

Friendship Bracelet Watch

Dream a Little Bigger

Now that you've mastered the art of friendship bracelet making, you're ready to go to the next step. This project is for a friendship bracelet watch that anyone would be thrilled to receive. A watch face with posts are needed and then embroidery floss is used to create the bracelet part of the watch. A chevron design is used here but any wider design would work great depending on the size of your watch face. Any combination of floss colors can be used, so let your imagination run wild.

Friendship Bracelet Watch from Dream a Little Bigger

16 Friendship Bracelet Patterns

More from The Spruce Crafts