6 Friendship Bracelets Loops for You, Complete with Pros & Cons
Thank you for visiting this page. In this tutorial, I’m exploring options for bracelet loops. Though sometimes referred to as the buckle, the loop can really give the bracelet a more elegant look.
My goal was to give options to those new to making bracelets. Then again I realize because those who have been doing this awhile might get stuck doing it the way we always do (myself included) that this post might open up some new ideas to try.
With the exception of the kumihimo, all of the examples given have the potential for using any number of strings. For example, if you were making the standard braid with seven strings you can go 2, 2, 3. The balance is only slightly off and it works just fine.
The other thing you might get out of this exercise is why I count the individual strands vs using the doubled up number that you hear so many others use. Because I count the strands, I can easily tell which bracelet loops would be best suited. It also adds an advantage in determining if I have the amount of embroidery floss available in the event I’m looking to make something big (happens quite frequently).
The Regular Start
The image above shows how most friendship bracelets tend to start where the two ends of the loop come together. I know it’s a bit of an unusual bracelet design but I had the chance to kinda show it off, so… Anyhow, we start in the center and work our way outwards with an equal amount of strings going to each side. The result is a closed loop.
The Irregular Regular Start
This one shows a slightly different take on the regular start. It also creates a closed loop but allows the bracelet to begin asymmetrically. And if you’re doing this, I’d recommend the end of the bracelet to also be asymmetric. Just to make it, well, symmetric.
The Teardrop Start
In the video, I spoke of the alternative start that the first couple of bracelet loops don’t lend themselves well to. Here is an example of one so you can better appreciate how it’s different and who knows, perhaps it’s just what you want for your next project.
It creates the teardrop shape because the ends of the loop don’t meet. Instead, they go into the knots from the outside coming towards the center. In this particular example, I ended the bracelet similarly in an inverted V-shape, but it would look just as nice with a diamond ending as well.
More Bracelet Loops?
You might find that there’s a few additional ways that bracelet loops can be done. If you have an example of one, share it so we can discuss its pros and cons. But in my 30-plus years of making friendship bracelets, these are the ones that seem to come around the most.
If you have any other questions about this or any other element of making friendship bracelets, do drop me a comment. It would really help me with planning what tutorials and videos to work on next!