Friendship Bracelets

What are Friendship Bracelets?

History

Traditionally friendship bracelets were hand knotted out of colored threads. The different colored threads could be knotted in a variety of ways to produce complex patterns and designs. The thread bracelet is then tied onto the wrist of a friend where it is worn constantly. The bracelet signified everlasting and unconditional friendship.

Popular Materials

The most popular material for making friendship bracelets is embroidery thread or floss, however any type of thread will work equally well. Bracelets can also be found made from hemp, cotton, silk, linen and even string. The low cost of the materials means that these bracelets are highly accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds and they are particularly popular amongst young people.

Modern friendship bracelets can be found mass produced and using other materials. This might include silver and gold, or gemstone beads. There is no right or wrong when it comes to friendship bracelets and the style, it is the ethos that matters and what the bracelet signifies.

Giving a Friendship Bracelet

Swarovski Crystal Friend Bracelet

A friendship bracelet should be given to a true friend. When the bracelet is tied around the wrist it will stay there for a long time signifying your friendship. Friendship bracelets can be found in many different colors and styles meaning that there is likely to be a type that is personalized for every friend. The choice might include:

• National Colors – a bracelet could be made or bought in the national colors of a friend from over seas. This is an extremely thoughtful gift and would be very special.
• Team Colors – many sports have their own team colors and these can also be found in friendship bracelets. This can make a wonderful gift for someone who is a keen follower of a team or sport.
• Favorite Color – most people have a favorite color, whether it is the palest of pastel pinks, or dark and moody blacks these can be woven into a bracelet for a very personal gift.

Making Friendship Knotted Bracelets

Most of these bracelets are handmade and they are easy and straightforward to make and the technique is similar to macramé. All that is required is some threads of different colors and a board where the bracelet can be tied while it is being made. This holds the end of the bracelet firmly while the knotting takes place and this stops the bracelet from twisting or being pulled out of shape.

It is a suitable activity for both boys and girls, however needn't stop with the youngsters. Many older people enjoy friendship bracelets and what they signify.

There are books available that explain clearly the process of making a knotted bracelet. These sometimes include materials such as threads. These can make great gifts as they include everything that is required to make a bracelet. These books can be found in high street book stores and also from online book retailers. Online book stores often offer excellent deals on books, but bargains can also be found in your local book shop so it is worth shopping around. Online book stores include:

• Amazon.com
• Barnes and Noble

Free Online Information

In addition to buying a book, there is a plentiful supply of information freely available online. These online instructions can be downloaded to a computer and printed out for future reference. While the online instructions all follow the same principle of making the bracelets, some have slight differences in the techniques. This makes it interesting to look at a number of sites and learn more about different ways of making these bracelets. Information about making friendship bracelets can be found on websites throughout the world. Many of the people who are sharing the information welcome feedback from their site visitors and this can be a great way to meet people from around the world.

Sites offering instructions to make friendship bracelets includes:

• Media Message
• Making Friends
• Amazing Moms

While it is wonderful to be able to give someone a beautiful hand made friendship bracelet, remember that it is what the bracelet signifies that is important. If you cannot give a friend a handmade bracelet or one that you have bought, a simple band of ribbon will have equal significance and meaning.