Adding String to Friendship Bracelet projects

I keep getting asked, “How long is the string I start with?” The simple answer is two meters that’s folded in half. But what if that question is faulty? Perhaps the person asking isn’t familiar with the idea of adding string when working on larger projects like the bag I’m making. I still start with the same two meters, but when the string gets short I add more when needed. So today I’m going to attempt to explain how I do that.

First, it’s perhaps best to explain that each ‘string’ I have in my work is a doubled-up amount of embroidery floss. Yes, you can knot just a single strand, but the knots are much smaller, not as hardy and the work takes considerably longer. I say this because you would have to add differently than I describe in this post by splitting a single strand of floss in half rather than just using one as I am about to show you. But let’s not get all confused before we have even gotten started.

Now I’m new to making tutorials, so I’m likely to miss something. It’s ok, you can ask questions in the comments section below and if needed I’ll add to the page. I’ll also number the bits so you can ask about a particular section to make it easy for me to know what it is you’re stuck on too. Oh and I’ll post the image first each time, followed by its explanation.

Without further ado…

Here we see a section where both orange strings are getting too short to use.

Depending on how much longer your project will be, you’re going to choose lengths of string between one and two meters for the replacement. Once cut to size, fold the replacing string in half and run the short string inside of the loop where it’s folded.

Tie the short strings together like you would normally as this will ‘lock’ the replacement from being able to shift. Once that first knot is tied, move the one on the right across to the left and the left across to the right. Then tie the short ones again just as you would normally.

So now you should have something like in this image, where it’s like a pair of whiskers sticking outwards. Give them a tug to smooth out any loose bits and tighten your knot again. This will ensure that it becomes even less noticeable.

Tie the long new string to the next string over as if the string add had never happened, but before you tie the second part of the knot, take the short end that’s about to be gone and tie it in between this knot that you’re making. This makes sure that the short end doesn’t fray and get unraveled.

And there you have it. What new string?

Here’s a second scenario that you might encounter. The darker oranges both need adding on, but they’re not together like our first ones were. So this will give us a chance to show how to add string when it’s out there by itself. Again you’re going to need to determine the length of the string (one or two meters). Fold it in half and secure it onto the string that’s about to be replaced.

Tie the short string to the next one down as you normally would, but stop after the first part of the knot as we have to shift the long string.

Shift the long ends to get sandwiched in the middle of the knot you’re tying.

Now tie the first part of the knot with the long string then sandwich the short string in between and finish the knot.

Again, what new string?? *wink wink*

And now we’re free to continue on the work without running out of string! As I mentioned earlier, if you need any clarification, further explanations, or if you can describe it better than I can, please leave comments below. I hope this has been helpful. Any feedback is welcome because I hope to make better tutorials as I go along. Happy knotting!