DIY: Chain Friendship Bracelets

With the weather warming up, all I want to do is make summery bracelets – for myself and all of my friends.   For the past few weeks I’ve been playing with rope and chain in attempt to make the “perfect” friendship bracelet, and I think that these come close.  They are fun and easy to make, though it takes a bit of practice and patience at first.  Over the weekend, I made several – and the whole family was infatuated.  My mom + sisters got involved, and now we’re all rocking an arm party.  Give it a try.  Wear one, three, or a whole arm of them!  (If you ask me, they’d look particularly lovely layered with this or this.)

What you’ll need:

  • 6 pieces of embroidery floss, cut to 30″ each.
  • 2 pieces of chain (I used rose gold,) cut to 4.5″ each.  This chain is a good option!
  • Scissors
  • Large Needle (I used this one, designed for working with rugs!)

The first step is to knot the six pieces of floss together at the top.  From there, separate the floss into three groups of two strands, and braid for about 3 inches.

When you finish braiding, tie another knot.

Next, separate the floss into two bunches of three strands.  Thread one bunch through your needle, and set aside the other section of floss.

Begin by weaving the first link of both pieces of chain onto your floss.  Hold it tightly against the knot (this prevents gaps in the bracelet later,) and weave the floss back through the second link of chain (as demonstrated below.)

From there, keeping the floss held tightly, and keeping the chain links straight (this is very important,) begin weaving through the chain at a diagonal.

Keep the pattern consistent – over one link, and back under through the other. It’s important to keep the chain straight and not let it get tangled.

Continue weaving at a diagonal.  When you get to the end, leave the strand.  Don’t knot it, just set it aside.  Take the second bunch of floss that you’d set aside earlier, and thread it through the needle.  Thread it through your chain, and begin weaving at a diagonal – in the opposite direction that you wove with the first group of floss.

Continue to weave, making diagonal stitches across the stitches you made the first time around.

A nice little criss cross pattern will emerge.

Continue to the very end, weaving little criss crosses!

When you get to the very end, tie another knot.

Finish off your bracelet by braiding another two-three inches, and then tie another knot.  Make a rainbow of colors for all of your friends + family.  Once you’ve made the first one, you’ll be able to churn them out in under 15 minutes.  Voila… taste the rainbow!

 

Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment

85 Comments

  1. PennyPincherFashion:

    LOVE these – I want one in every color!!  I think this will be easy enough to do with my 8-yr-old daughter and she will love them too…thanks for the tutorial! 🙂

    5.14.12 Reply
  2. Gaby:

    So cool Grace, love them!

    5.14.12 Reply
  3. Alyssa H:

    so pretty!! i love them!

    5.14.12 Reply
  4. Carly | a simple affair:

    Absolutely adore these.  You need an Etsy shop on the double.  These would sell out so fast. Glad your whole family got involved 🙂

    5.14.12 Reply
  5. Liz {Sequins & Stripes}:

    I agree with Carly, you definitely need to open an Etsy shop!

    5.14.12 Reply
  6. Viviana Carmona:

    These are so amazing! And I’m with Liz and Carly – Stripes and Sequins the shop!

    5.14.12 Reply
  7. Sheri Ann @ Sprinkles & Style:

    I love all of your DIYs! And I agree with Liz, Carly, and Viviana on the Etsy shop!

    5.14.12 Reply
  8. ALyson -- TAGG:

    These are amazing, and yes, of course you need a shop. Definitely a goal I’d imagine. These are awesome and can’t go wrong when they’re layered with Cartier! 

    5.14.12 Reply
  9. Becca Atwood:

    Love these- and the one you made for me!

    5.14.12 Reply
  10. RealGirlGlam:

    Another fabulous DIY! Love all of the colors together!

    5.14.12 Reply
  11. Ritafashiondays:
    5.14.12 Reply
  12. Lia:

    These are FABULOUS!  I’ve made something similar recently too!  I love how you got the whole family doing them and made so many!  They look great, especially with the rose gold chain!
    xoxo
    Lia

    5.14.12 Reply
  13. Kristin & Megan:

    Those are so fun! Love them on both arms!

    5.14.12 Reply
  14. secondagenda:

    Really nice! I’m definitely gonna try this too! 

    xoxo

    Grietje

    http://www.secondagenda.be

    5.14.12 Reply
  15. Erica:

    I love all the colors! Super fun!

    http://theprettyfactor.blogspot.com

    5.14.12 Reply
  16. Erin @ Thanks I Made It:

    I LOVE these, Grace! The colors all together and photos are gorg too!

    5.14.12 Reply
  17. Amy:

    Love them!  The rose gold chain is so on trend too.  Have a great day 🙂

    5.14.12 Reply
  18. Amarillo Neón:

    Me encantan tus pulseras, cuanto colorido.
    Besos.

    http://amarilloneon.blogspot.com.es/

    5.14.12 Reply
  19. Erica Sara:

    SO fun & easy!!! I think I’ll be making a bunch of these this week. Thanks!

    5.14.12 Reply
  20. Bettina:

    These would be a fun one to do for a DIY party

    5.14.12 Reply
  21. PurplesPrettier:

    These are SO CUTE!  You seriously put my DIY to shame.  And agreed.. you should sell these.  For real.

    5.14.12 Reply
  22. Frankieheartsfashion:

    you have done it again!! These are so amazing…I agree with all the rest. You need to open a shop! xo

    5.14.12 Reply
  23. Kwyver:

    This is amazing, and so much simpler instructions than so many other tutorials I’ve seen!

    5.15.12 Reply
  24. taradear:

    i am so obsessed grace! love so much! love those last pictures – i too want a whole rainbow!

    xx,
    tara


    http://www.thewondergirl.com
     

    5.15.12 Reply
  25. Jordan - Queen of LA:

    so cute and colorful! love how they look paired with the cartier love bracelet!

    5.15.12 Reply
  26. so anthro:

    Ahh I made ones exactly like these a few months ago but yours are so much cuter! Have to get back into it now!

    5.15.12 Reply
  27. Sara B:

    I love these so much!! I want to go out and make them right now!

    5.16.12 Reply
  28. Eljardindekela:

    I love your blog, how can follow you? I am sorry for my bad english.

    http://eljardindekela.blogspot.com.es/

    5.17.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Hi there! There are several different “follow” buttons on the site that you can add. Maybe add me to your reader via RSS? I’m also on Facebook + Twitter.

      5.17.12 Reply
  29. leah n.:

    WOW!!!! Start an etsy shop and i will buy your store out!!

    5.21.12 Reply
  30. Kara Endres:

    These are so cute! I have yet to try making friendship bracelets- these look like the way to go.

    5.22.12 Reply
  31. LindsB:

    So so cute- I totally need to get to the store and get some chain so I can make my own!

    5.30.12 Reply
  32. Joanna:

    That’s so pretty 🙂

    6.1.12 Reply
  33. Dimitra Psarrou:

    perfecttt…

    6.4.12 Reply
  34. Cris:

    I tried and tried i just couldn’t do it :'(

    6.9.12 Reply
  35. Çi?dem Y?ld?r?m:
    6.21.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      thank you!!

      6.21.12 Reply
  36. Miranda:

    So cute oh my gOsh, these are seriously perfect.

    6.24.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thank you Miranda!! 🙂

      6.24.12 Reply
  37. Sheryl:

    Hey, where exactly did you get this exact chain? I like the suggested link you posted but I enjoy the one you used in the tutorial so much better! PLEASE let me know =)

    6.25.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Hi Sheryl, I actually used chain from an old necklace. I’m sorry that’s not more helpful!!

      6.26.12 Reply
  38. Stmartin8:

    These are fabulous!! Where did you get the chain from???

    6.28.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thank you so much! I bought mine at New York Beads in the city, but you can buy very similar chain on Amazon. I link to it in the post!

      6.29.12 Reply
  39. Christina:

    they look perfect!!!
    I make similar chain bracelets and just love wearing themn

    7.2.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thanks Christina, So happy that you like the project!

      7.2.12 Reply
  40. Christina:

    They look perfect!
    I make similar bracelets, check them out!
    https://www.facebook.com/beyoutifulJewelry 

    7.2.12 Reply
  41. Simonette:

    This is so simple yet cute! 🙂 I will have to try this tonight 😉

    9.4.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Yay! Would love to see a pic of how they turn out! x

      9.4.12 Reply
  42. joelee:

    cool 🙂 🙂 🙂

    1.31.13 Reply
  43. syd:

    omg this is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo CUTE I LOVE THIS

    3.25.13 Reply
  44. Nursen:

    That’s so pretty

    5.31.13 Reply
  45. briaaa:

    where can I find this kind of chain?

    10.20.13 Reply
  46. sherry:

    I am going to try these if they turn out good I will donate the to the elementary school or the sp.c.a. to sell as a fundraiser.thanks for the pattern !

    9.23.15 Reply
  47. Tripti:

    How many bracelets does this amount make?

    11.16.15 Reply
  48. Rand:

    Oh my god!!! It’s very beautiful and easy thank you for this lovely way ..

    11.9.16 Reply