Friendship Bracelet Patterns: 17 Easy and Trendy Ideas Gen Z Loves
These friendship bracelet patterns go from your very first easy bracelet to the cherry, checkerboard and evil eye designs all over TikTok and Pinterest right now. Every pattern comes with a clear chart, the number of strings and colors, and a picture of how the finished friendship bracelet will look.
We drew every chart with a knot-by-knot simulator, so the colors on the chart are exactly what your knots will make. If you have never made friendship bracelets before, start with the knots section, then pick a pattern from the easy list.
Quick answer: The easiest friendship bracelet patterns are the candy stripe, chevron and braided bracelet. They use 4 to 8 strings of embroidery floss and only one or two knots: the forward knot and the backward knot. Once those feel easy, try a heart friendship bracelet pattern, then move on to alpha patterns that spell words or make pictures.
Friendship bracelet patterns at a glance
Use this chart to choose your next bracelet. The first patterns are simple friendship bracelet patterns for beginners; the alpha patterns at the bottom are advanced friendship bracelet patterns for when you’re ready for a challenge. Every chart walks you through friendship bracelet patterns step by step.
| Friendship bracelet pattern | Strings | Colors | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Braided bracelet | 3 to 9 | 1 to 3 | Easiest |
| 2. Spiral staircase | 4 to 6 | 2 to 4 | Easiest |
| 3. Candy stripe | 8 | 4 | Easy |
| 4. Chevron | 8 | 4 | Easy |
| 5. Sunset ombré chevron | 10 | 5 | Easy |
| 6. Zigzag | 8 | 4 | Easy |
| 7. Diamond | 8 | 4 | Medium |
| 8. Heart | 12 | 2 | Medium |
| 9. Checkerboard (alpha) | 12 vertical | 2 | Medium |
| 10. Smiley face (alpha) | 11 vertical | 3 | Medium |
| 11. Cherry (alpha) | 11 vertical | 4 | Advanced |
| 12. Strawberry (alpha) | 11 vertical | 4 | Advanced |
| 13. Mushroom (alpha) | 11 vertical | 4 | Advanced |
| 14. Evil eye (alpha) | 11 vertical | 5 | Advanced |
| 15. Frog (alpha) | 11 vertical | 5 | Advanced |
| 16. BFF letters (alpha) | 21 vertical | 2 | Advanced |
| 17. Letter bead bracelet | Stretch cord | Any | Easiest |
The Shift–Mirror–Switch Method: how every friendship bracelet pattern works
Different friendship bracelet patterns can look nothing alike, but most knotted ones are built from just three moves. We call it the Shift–Mirror–Switch Method. Once you see it, you can read any pattern and even design your own.
- Shift: tie every knot in the same direction. The strings march across the bracelet and make diagonal stripes. That’s the candy stripe.
- Mirror: split the strings into two matching halves and knot both halves toward the middle. The stripes meet in a V. That’s the chevron and the ombré chevron.
- Switch: change knot direction partway through. Switching rows makes a zigzag, switching halves makes a diamond, and switching between forward-backward and backward-forward knots lets you draw shapes like hearts.
Alpha patterns work differently: they are pixel pictures, tied row by row like a tiny cross-stitch. We cover them in their own section.
What you need to make friendship bracelets
- Friendship bracelet string: 6-strand cotton embroidery floss is the classic. It’s cheap, comes in hundreds of colors and is what most friendship bracelet patterns are designed for. A friendship bracelet kit with pre-cut floss is an easy way to start.
- Scissors and tape: tape the top of your bracelet to a table, or clip it to a clipboard. A safety pin through your jeans works on the go.
- Length: cut each string about 3 feet (90 cm) long. Alpha and picture patterns use string faster, so cut those a little longer.
- Optional: a friendship bracelet wheel or loom, letter beads and stretch cord for bead bracelets.
If you already have floss from embroidery patterns for beginners, you have everything you need.
Friendship bracelet knots: the 4 you need
Every knotted friendship bracelet pattern uses the same four friendship bracelet knots. Each one is really two half-knots tied with one string around another.
- Forward knot: make a “4” shape with the left string over the right one, loop it under and back through, and pull it up to the top. Do it twice. The knot shows the left color and the strings switch places. This forward knot friendship bracelet move is the one you’ll use most.
- Backward knot: the mirror image. Make a backward “4” with the right string over the left, loop it through, pull it up, and repeat. The knot shows the right color.
- Forward-backward knot: one forward half-knot, then one backward half-knot. The knot shows the left color, but the strings stay in place.
- Backward-forward knot: one backward half-knot, then one forward half-knot. The knot shows the right color, and the strings stay in place.
Tip: hold the string you’re knotting around tight and straight. Loose base strings are the number one reason knots look messy.
How to read friendship bracelet patterns
Every chart in this guide is a normal pattern chart, the same style used by BraceletBook. Here’s how to follow friendship bracelet patterns like these:
- Top row of circles: these are your strings, left to right. Each letter is a color, so A A B B means two strings of color A, then two of color B.
- Knot circles: each circle is one knot. Its color is the color the knot will show, and its arrow tells you which of the 4 knots to tie.
- Rows: tie the rows from top to bottom. The first row knots strings 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and so on. The second row skips the edge strings and knots 2-3, 4-5 and so on.
- Repeat: when you finish the last row, start again from the top. Your strings will be back in their starting order.
- Preview: the band at the bottom of each chart shows what your finished friendship bracelet will look like.
How to make a friendship bracelet (step-by-step tutorial)
This friendship bracelet tutorial works for every pattern below, and it pairs with the step by step friendship bracelet patterns that follow. Here’s how to tie a friendship bracelet from start to finish.
A step-by-step friendship bracelet tutorial: cut and arrange embroidery floss, tie the knots from a pattern chart, and finish the bracelet.
Total Time: 60 minutes
Cut and arrange your strings
Cut each string about 3 feet long and lay them out in the order shown at the top of your pattern.
Start the friendship bracelet
Hold the strings together and tie an overhand knot about 3 inches from the top. Tape that knot to a table or clip it to a clipboard.
Tie the first row
Follow the first row of the chart, tying each knot twice and pulling it snug up to the top.
Keep following the chart
Tie the rows in order and repeat the pattern until the bracelet wraps around your wrist with a little overlap.
Finish the friendship bracelet
Tie another overhand knot at the end, braid both tails for about 2 inches and knot them off. Trim the extra string.
How to start a friendship bracelet
The simplest start is an overhand knot with a 3-inch tail, taped down. For an adjustable bracelet that’s easy to tie on, fold your strings in half, tie a knot below the fold to make a small loop, and use the loop as your clasp.
How to end a friendship bracelet
Knowing how to tie off a friendship bracelet neatly is what makes it last. Here’s how to finish a friendship bracelet: knot all the strings together, then braid the tails and knot them again. If you started with a loop, finish with a braid that fits through it. Add a dab of clear nail polish to the end knots so they never slip.
Easy friendship bracelet patterns for beginners
These easy friendship bracelet patterns are the best place to start. They are the easiest friendship bracelet patterns because they repeat one or two moves, so after a few rows your hands learn the rhythm. These beginner friendship bracelet patterns all use 3 to 10 strings. Looking for friendship bracelet patterns easy enough for kids? Start with #1 or #2.
1. Braided friendship bracelet
Strings: 3 groups · Colors: 1 to 3 · Level: easiest
The braided friendship bracelet needs no knots at all. Split your strings into three groups, braid them tightly the way you’d braid hair, and knot the end. Use three strands of each color for a chunky look. It’s the perfect first bracelet for little kids.
2. Spiral staircase (Chinese staircase)
Strings: 4 to 6 · Colors: 2 to 4 · Level: easiest
Take one string and tie forward half-knots around all the others, over and over. The knots twist into a spiral on their own. Pick up a new color whenever you like and keep going. Of all the basic friendship bracelet patterns, this one is the quickest.
3. Candy stripe friendship bracelet
Strings: 8 · Colors: 4 · Level: easy
The candy stripe friendship bracelet is pure Shift: tie forward knots only. The leftmost string knots all the way across to the right edge, then the next string does the same. You get bright diagonal stripes, like a candy cane.
4. Chevron friendship bracelet pattern
Strings: 8 · Colors: 4 · Level: easy
The chevron friendship bracelet is the classic V. Lay out your strings as a mirror (A B C D D C B A). The left half ties forward knots toward the middle, the right half ties backward knots toward the middle, and the two center strings knot together. This chevron friendship bracelet pattern repeats every 8 rows. In most friendship bracelet patterns, chevron shapes come from this same mirror move.
5. Sunset ombré chevron
Strings: 10 · Colors: 5 · Level: easy
The trendiest twist on a chevron is a color fade. Pick five shades that flow into each other, like yellow, orange, coral, hot pink and purple, and mirror them. It’s the same chevron moves with 10 strings, but the result looks like a sunset.
6. Zigzag friendship bracelet pattern
Strings: 8 · Colors: 4 · Level: easy
A zigzag is the Switch move in action. Tie 8 rows of forward knots, then 8 rows of backward knots, and repeat. The stripes bounce back and forth across the bracelet.
7. Diamond friendship bracelet
Strings: 8 · Colors: 4 · Level: medium
The diamond friendship bracelet is a chevron followed by a reverse chevron, where the knots travel out from the middle instead of in. Together they close into diamonds, the trick behind all diamond friendship bracelet patterns. It’s one of the most popular friendship bracelet patterns because it looks much harder than it is.
8. Heart friendship bracelet pattern
Strings: 12 · Colors: 2, alternating · Level: medium
This heart friendship bracelet pattern uses alternating strings (cream, red, cream, red) and only forward-backward and backward-forward knots, so the strings never move. Each knot shows either color, which lets you draw the heart knot by knot. On the finished heart friendship bracelet, the hearts run sideways along your wrist.
Swap red for pink, lilac or black and you have a whole set of matching heart bracelets for your friend group.
Alpha friendship bracelet patterns: cool and cute friendship bracelet ideas
Alpha patterns are where friendship bracelet ideas get really fun. Instead of diagonal knots, you tie a grid of little bricks, like pixel art, so you can make any picture or word. These are the cute friendship bracelet patterns and cool friendship bracelet patterns you see on Pinterest. All of these friendship bracelet designs are original, so they’re unique friendship bracelet patterns you won’t find anywhere else.
How alpha patterns work: set up one vertical string for every column in the chart, plus one long working string for each color. For each brick, tie the working string in that color around the vertical string, and carry the other colors hidden inside the knot. Tie row 1 from left to right with forward knots, row 2 from right to left with backward knots, and keep alternating.
9. Checkerboard friendship bracelet
Strings: 12 vertical + 2 working · Colors: 2 · Level: medium
Checkerboard is the 2026 it-pattern. Black and cream is the classic, but pastel pairs like pink and sage or lilac and cream look just as good. It’s the best first alpha because the rows repeat.
10. Smiley face friendship bracelet
Strings: 11 vertical + 3 working · Colors: 3 · Level: medium
A yellow smiley on a lilac background is pure Y2K happiness. Repeat it three times with a few background rows in between for a full bracelet.
11. Cherry friendship bracelet
Strings: 11 vertical + 4 working · Colors: 4 · Level: advanced
Cherries are the coquette-girl favorite. The tiny white brick on each cherry is a highlight that makes them look shiny.
12. Strawberry friendship bracelet
Strings: 11 vertical + 4 working · Colors: 4 · Level: advanced
A strawberry with yellow seeds on a cream background is the perfect summer friendship bracelet. Try a pink background for a strawberry-milk look.
13. Mushroom friendship bracelet
Strings: 11 vertical + 4 working · Colors: 4 · Level: advanced
A spotted red toadstool on sage green is cottagecore in bracelet form. Pair it with a plain sage chevron for a matching set.
14. Evil eye friendship bracelet
Strings: 11 vertical + 5 working · Colors: 5 · Level: advanced
The evil eye is a protection symbol, which makes it a meaningful gift for a best friend. Five colors put it among the hard friendship bracelet patterns here, so tackle it after the checkerboard.
15. Frog friendship bracelet
Strings: 11 vertical + 5 working · Colors: 5 · Level: advanced
A goofy little frog face with pink cheeks. It’s one of the most fun friendship bracelet patterns to give because everyone smiles at it.
16. BFF letter friendship bracelet
Strings: 21 vertical + 2 working · Colors: 2 · Level: advanced
Letter alphas let you spell names, initials or inside jokes. Use this BFF chart as your guide for letter height and spacing, then write your own word.
Letter bead friendship bracelets and Taylor Swift friendship bracelet ideas
17. Letter bead friendship bracelet
Strings: 1 stretch cord · Colors: any · Level: easiest
Not every friendship bracelet is knotted. Bead bracelets with letter beads became a huge trend when fans started trading friendship bracelets at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, and the habit spread to almost every big concert. To make one, string letter beads and seed beads on stretch cord, tie a tight double knot, and add a dab of clear glue.
Taylor Swift friendship bracelet ideas: spell your favorite album name or era, a song title, your concert date, or a short inside joke. Keep it to 12 letters or fewer so it fits a wrist. Matching color themes for each era make trading more fun.
These friendship bracelet patterns with beads also work for bead bracelet ideas beyond concerts, and you can mix beads into knotted bracelets by sliding one onto a string between knots.
Friendship bracelet color combos
Color does half the work in any friendship bracelet design. Here are the color combos trending right now, with the number of colors each one needs.
| Color combo | Colors | Best patterns |
|---|---|---|
| Strawberry milk: pink, cream, red | 3 | Chevron, strawberry alpha |
| Matcha: sage, cream, mint | 3 | Candy stripe, mushroom alpha |
| Sunset: yellow, orange, coral, pink, purple | 5 | Ombré chevron |
| Coastal: navy, sky blue, white, gold | 4 | Diamond, evil eye alpha |
| Clean girl: black, cream | 2 | Checkerboard, heart |
| Y2K: lilac, yellow, baby blue, mint | 4 | Candy stripe, smiley alpha |
Friendship bracelet patterns: 3 colors or 4 colors?
Friendship bracelet patterns with 3 colors are the sweet spot for beginners: enough contrast to look bold, but only three skeins to manage. For a 3-color chevron, use 6 strings (A B C C B A). For friendship bracelet patterns, 4 colors give you a fuller rainbow, like our candy stripe and chevron. Bright summer friendship bracelet patterns look best in coral, turquoise and yellow.
Make it social: friendship bracelet ideas for parties
Friendship bracelets are made to be shared. Set up a bracelet bar at a sleepover or a girls’ night craft session with pre-cut floss and printed charts. It’s also one of the best things to do when bored in summer, and good bracelets sell well as one of the crafts to make and sell.
Love fiber crafts? Try crochet for beginners next, or turn your favorite pattern into a pixel design with perler bead ideas.
Friendship bracelet patterns FAQ
What is the easiest friendship bracelet pattern?
The braided bracelet is the easiest because it needs no knots. For a knotted bracelet, the candy stripe is the easiest friendship bracelet pattern: you only tie forward knots, over and over.
How do you read friendship bracelet patterns?
The circles at the top are your strings in order. Each knot circle shows the color that knot will be and an arrow for the knot type. Tie the rows from top to bottom, then repeat.
What are the 4 basic friendship bracelet knots?
The forward knot, backward knot, forward-backward knot and backward-forward knot. Forward and backward knots move the strings; the other two keep the strings in place.
How many strings do you need for a friendship bracelet?
Most beginner patterns use 6 to 8 strings. Simple 4 string friendship bracelet patterns like the spiral staircase work too, and 6 string friendship bracelet patterns like a 3-color chevron are a great next step.
What string is best for friendship bracelets?
Six-strand cotton embroidery floss is the best friendship bracelet string. It’s soft, strong, cheap and comes in every color.
How long should friendship bracelet strings be?
Cut each string about 3 feet (90 cm) long for a wrist bracelet. Cut longer strings for alpha patterns and anything with lots of knots.
How do you tie off a friendship bracelet?
Tie all the strings in an overhand knot, braid the tails for about 2 inches, and knot them again. Tie the bracelet on by knotting the braided ends together around your wrist.
How do you tie a friendship bracelet on your wrist?
Wrap it around your wrist, then knot the two braided tails together with a double knot. If you started with a loop, pull the braid through the loop and knot it. Ask a friend to help, since one-handed knots are tricky.
What is an alpha friendship bracelet pattern?
An alpha pattern is a grid of knots, like pixel art, that can make pictures and letters. It uses vertical base strings and a working string for each color.
What is the best friendship bracelet patterns website?
BraceletBook has the biggest free library of normal and alpha patterns made by other bracelet makers, and it uses the same chart style as this guide.
How long does it take to make a friendship bracelet?
A simple chevron or candy stripe takes about 1 to 2 hours. Alpha patterns and hearts can take 3 to 5 hours, so they make great weekend projects.
Can I use a friendship bracelet wheel?
Yes. A foam braiding wheel (kumihimo) makes round, braided friendship bracelets without knots. It’s great for kids, but it can’t make the flat knotted patterns in this guide.
Are friendship bracelets still trendy in 2026?
Yes. Concert bracelet trading, matching friend-group bracelets and alpha designs like checkerboards and cherries keep friendship bracelets one of the most popular crafts with Gen Z.
Pick your first pattern and start knotting
Start with the candy stripe to learn the forward knot, move to the chevron to learn the backward knot, then work your way down to the heart and the alpha designs. Bookmark this friendship bracelet tutorial, because with the Shift–Mirror–Switch Method, every friendship bracelet pattern is just those same moves in a new order.
Want more hands-on ideas? Explore tie dye patterns, find fun activities for teens, or take our hobby quiz. Want to know where friendship bracelets come from? Read their history on Wikipedia, or browse thousands more friendship bracelet patterns on BraceletBook.
