One Tiny Change Completely Transforms This Friendship Bracelet Pattern!
It’s amazing how one tiny change can completely change the look of a friendship bracelet pattern. 🧵
Today I’m experimenting with pattern #80874 from friendship-bracelets.net. At first glance, it reminded me of the almost butterfly-like design we explored recently—but this one has more symmetry and a continuous path running through the design.
Last time, I broke up that continuous path and added something between the sections.
This time? I’m leaving it alone and seeing where it takes us.
As I recreate the pattern, we’ll trace where the individual strings travel, look at how a small zigzag changes what could otherwise feel like a regular arrowhead, and figure out what to do when the pattern doesn’t conveniently end where I want my bracelet to end.
Sure, I could just make the bracelet longer…but where’s the fun in that? 😄
Instead, I’m modifying the ending while trying to preserve what makes the original design interesting.
There’s also a useful pattern-designing lesson in this one: when you can’t figure out where all the strings are going, do the easy ones first. Once you fill in the obvious paths, the confusing ones have fewer places left to go.
The finished pattern gives us three complete large motifs with partial motifs at each end, and I REALLY like how it turned out.
Tomorrow, we turn this pattern into an actual bracelet!
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Sometimes the smallest change in a friendship bracelet pattern makes a HUGE difference. 🧵
Today I’m making my modified version of pattern #80874 from friendship-bracelets.net, a 12-string bracelet that surprised me in a few ways—and might be my favorite bracelet I’ve made this month!
The original pattern didn’t quite fit the length I needed. Four complete repetitions would have been too long, while three were too short, so I modified the beginning and end to create something in between.
But the part I really love is this tiny little “nub” in each repetition.
Instead of simply creating another regular arrowhead and diamond, that small change produces these little indentations along the sides and affects how the surrounding colors move through the bracelet. It’s such a small detail, but it gives the finished bracelet a look that feels different from anything I’ve made before.
And then there are the colors. 💚
I went with three shades of green, plus black, gray, and white. Some of those strings barely get used! The white essentially travels through the bracelet and only appears as a knot in the center of the diamonds about five times.
This is also a great project for using leftover pre-cut strings. A lot of my bracelets this month have been made from floss left over from other projects, and these thinner, single-strand bracelets are perfect for working through that stash.
⏱️ Total knotting time: about 1 hour 34 minutes
Despite expecting this one to give me trouble, it actually went surprisingly smoothly!
I’d also love to see this pattern in completely different colors. I think shifting toward yellow in the centers could create a really interesting effect.
🎨 What colors would YOU use?
🌐 Find more friendship bracelet patterns, tutorials, and resources at akaawol.com.
💬 If you make this bracelet, come share your finished version with us on Discord! I’d love to see what you do with the pattern and colors.
A huge thank you to my YouTube Members for supporting the channel and helping make these videos possible.
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And as always…
Don’t get your strings in a bunch!
