Friendship Bracelet Patterns
Pick a starter pattern, such as a chevron, a diamond or a candy stripe, or type your own: the strings and their colours from left to right, then one row of knots per line. The chart works out the colour of every knot from the order of the strings after each row, so you see the real pattern before you tie it. Click any knot to switch it between forward, backward, forward-backward and backward-forward, choose up to eight colours, and set how many times the pattern repeats. For names and pictures, switch to an alpha (grid) pattern and type a word or draw the grid. Download a PDF for US Letter or A4 with the chart, the colour key and a page that explains the knots.
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The PDF has the knot chart (more pages for long patterns), the colour key and a page with the strings, knot counts and how to read the chart. Print at 100% (Actual size).
Pattern
Odd rows tie strings 1+2, 3+4 …; even rows tie 2+3, 4+5 … Click a knot in the chart to switch it between f, b, fb and bf.
Colours
Runs in your browser with our own code: nothing is uploaded and nothing is saved. The starter patterns are our own. You may use what you make here, including commercially, with no credit needed.
How to make a friendship bracelet pattern
- Choose a starter pattern, or keep the pattern type on Normal and type your strings (colour letters, left to right).
- Edit the knot rows: one row per line, f for forward, b for backward, fb and bf for the two-way knots. Or click a knot in the chart to change it.
- Pick the colours and how many times the pattern repeats.
- For a name or a picture, switch to Alpha and type the word or draw the grid.
- Download the PDF, print it at 100% and tie the knots row by row, following the arrows.
What you can use it for
- Planning a bracelet before cutting the strings
- Trying new colour orders on a classic chevron or diamond
- Name bracelets for friends, teams and camps
- Teaching the four basic knots with a printed chart
- Craft club handouts and party activity sheets
- Turning a doodle into an alpha grid
Starter patterns
| Pattern | Strings | Colours | Repeat (rows) | Knots used | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candy stripe | 8 | 4 | 8 | forward | Every knot forward: each string in turn runs across in a diagonal stripe. |
| Chevron | 8 | 4 | 8 | forward, backward | Forward knots on the left half, backward on the right, meeting in a V. |
| Arrowhead | 8 | 4 | 8 | backward, forward, backward-forward | The chevron turned outwards: strings start in the middle and run to the edges. |
| Diamond | 8 | 4 | 16 | forward, backward, backward-forward | Eight rows of chevron, then eight rows of arrowhead: the colours close into diamonds. |
| Zigzag | 8 | 4 | 14 | forward, backward | Seven rows forward, then seven backward, so the stripes change direction. |
| Short zigzag | 8 | 2 | 8 | forward, backward | Four rows forward, four backward, in two colours: tight zigzag steps. |
| Wide diagonal stripe | 8 | 2 | 1 | forward | Two colours, four strings each, all forward knots. |
| Ladder bands | 8 | 2 | 2 | forward-backward | Strings never move: every knot is forward-backward, so the rows show A, then B, in bands across. |
| Tiny checks | 8 | 4 | 2 | forward-backward, backward-forward | Strings stay put and alternate which colour shows, building small checks. |
| Criss-cross | 8 | 4 | 8 | forward, backward | Four rows in, four rows out: the colours cross in an X. |
| Double chevron | 8 | 3 | 8 | forward, backward | The chevron with doubled middle colours for thicker bands. |
| Rainbow chevron | 10 | 5 | 10 | forward, backward | Ten strings in five mirrored colours: a wide rainbow V. |
| Ribbon | 8 | 2 | 8 | forward, backward, backward-forward | Two colours in a chevron with a resting knot in the middle: a folded ribbon. |
| Twin stripe | 8 | 2 | 1 | backward | Two colours in pairs, every knot backward: stripes slanting the other way. |
The starter patterns are our own. Change the string colours to make each one new: the same knots with a different colour order give a different bracelet.
The four knots
| Knot | Code | Tie it | Colour that shows | Strings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | f | Left string over the right, twice | Left string | Change places |
| Backward | b | Right string over the left, twice | Right string | Change places |
| Forward-backward | fb | One forward half knot, then one backward | Left string | Stay |
| Backward-forward | bf | One backward half knot, then one forward | Right string | Stay |
Hold the string you are not knotting with tight, and pull each half knot up snug before the next one, so every knot sits at the same height.
Alpha patterns
| Alpha starter | Strings (base + working) | Rows | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hearts | 9 + 1 | 8 | 2 |
| Stars | 9 + 1 | 9 | 2 |
| Checks | 9 + 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Stripes with dots | 9 + 1 | 8 | 2 |
| Smiley | 9 + 1 | 10 | 2 |
Our own letters are 5 squares wide and 7 tall, turned to run along the bracelet, with one square of background on each side, so a name uses 9 base strings plus the working string.
Which tool to use
| You want | Use |
|---|---|
| Diagonal (normal) patterns, knot by knot | This page |
| A long alpha name or a picture turned into knots | Alpha Pattern Maker |
| A cross-stitch chart from a picture | Cross Stitch Pattern Maker |
| Bead loom or peyote patterns | Bead Pattern Maker |
For stitching from a picture, use the Cross Stitch Pattern Maker; for beads, the Bead Pattern Maker. Try colour sets for your strings with the Color Palette Generator, and plan grid pictures on Graph Paper or in the Pixel Art Maker.
Tips for even bracelets
- Tape the top of the strings to a table or clip them to a board so they stay in order.
- Lay the strings out in the order shown at the top of the chart before you start.
- Tie each half knot up tight against the one before.
- Mark each row on the printed chart as you finish it.
- Leave about 8 cm (3 in) loose at both ends to tie the bracelet on.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I read a friendship bracelet pattern?
The strings are shown at the top, left to right, with their colours. Each circle below is one knot, tied with the two strings above it, in the colour of the circle. The arrow inside tells you which knot to tie. Odd rows start with strings 1 and 2; even rows start with strings 2 and 3.
What are the four knots?
Forward (f): tie the left string over the right one twice; the knot shows the left colour and the strings change places. Backward (b): the mirror, right over left twice. Forward-backward (fb): one forward half knot then one backward; the left colour shows and the strings stay put. Backward-forward (bf): the mirror of that.
How does the chart know the colours?
It ties the knots for you, row by row: after each knot the two strings change places or stay, so the next row starts from the new order. The colour of every circle comes from that string order, which is why changing one knot can change the rest of the pattern.
How many strings do I need?
Each starter lists its strings. The chevron uses 8 strings in 4 colours, mirrored (A B C D D C B A). You can use 2 to 30 strings; wider bracelets need more rows for the same length.
What is the difference between normal and alpha patterns?
Normal patterns are tied in diagonal rows and make chevrons, diamonds and stripes. Alpha patterns are a grid: one working string knots across base strings row by row, so they can show letters and pictures. A name like FRIENDS takes 9 base strings and 43 rows here.
Can I make a name bracelet?
Yes. Switch the pattern type to Alpha, choose A name or word and type up to 40 letters. Type <3 for a heart and * for a star. Letters run along the bracelet so they read when you hold it sideways.
Why does the tool say a column has too many colours?
In an alpha pattern each base string is one colour all the way down, so every column can show the background and one other colour. Move the second colour to another column, or use more columns.
Can I print the pattern?
Yes. The PDF has the chart (long patterns run over more pages), the colour key with the colour codes, and a page with the strings, the knot counts and the string order after the first rows. Print at 100% (Actual size).
Is it free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no watermark and no limit.
Is anything uploaded?
No. The charts are worked out and drawn by JavaScript in your browser, and the PDF is made on your device. Nothing is sent anywhere and nothing is saved when you close the page.