Easy Friendship Bracelets that are Fun to Make and Wear
Updated on January 14, 2016
Did you ever make friendship bracelets with your best friend in middle school? Weaving them out of brightly coloured floss or stringing beads on twine, but making sure they matched (or at least coordinated). Tying them in a million knots so you couldn’t get them off because you were going to be friends forever, then having to cut them off at the end of the summer when they were sun-bleached, soggy, and full of sand. Sure, you could have bought pre-made friendship bracelets at Claire’s Accessories, but making things is so much more fun!
When’s the last time you and your best friend wore matching friendship bracelets? Most people stop in their teens, or at least switch to fancier store-bought jewelry for a classier look. The beauty of DIY projects, however, is that you can make things look however you please! For her next birthday, why not make your bestie a friendship bracelet for old time’s sake? Check out these gorgeous DIY friendship bracelet ideas that will give you all the nostalgia of the ones you made as kids, but probably suit your work clothes a little better!
Vinyl bead bracelets by Swell Mayde
This bracelet is the perfect combination of classy and funky. To make it, you’ll need:
- Clear elastic cord
- Sew-on rhinestones
- Vinyl beads
- Scissors
Feed the cord through the loops on the rhinestones, string your vinyl beads on however you please, knot it when it fits your wrist, and cut off the ends. The little bit of stretch in the cord and the way the beads roll around it make it easy to slide this bracelet on and off.
DIY braided bead bracelet by Honestly WTF
These little gold beads are a delicate accent to any outfit, especially if you choose cord in a colour that you wear often. The button makes it easy to fasten or remove. To make this bracelet, you’ll need:
- 1.5 yards of waxed linen cord
- 50-70 small seed beads
- a 10-13 mm two hole button
- Scissors
Braids the cords according to Honestly WTF’s tutorial, weaving the beads in as you go. Wear one bracelet for a delicate accent or many for a slightly more glamorous look.
DIY braided clay bracelet by Delighted Momma
This unique bracelet probably isn’t one that you and your bestie tried out when you were 13! The chunkier style made it a more stand-out piece and you wouldn’t believe the range of colours and textures you’ll have to choose from. To make this bracelet, you’ll need:
- Polymer clay
- Razor blade
Braid the clay in a simple three stand braiding pattern, or carefully we’ve it into a more complicated pattern if you prefer! Remember to always be careful working with sharp tools like razor blades.
DIY leather studded bracelet by Hello Glow
If bright, funky statement pieces are your best friend’s style, this is the friendship bracelet for her! To make it, you’ll need:
- A selection of coloured leather
- A mix of fabrics
- Bondaweb
- Studs
- Colourful rhinestones
- Thin chains
- Flat cord ends
- Jump-rings
- Lobster clasps
- Strong glue
The mixture of fabrics and materials in this bracelets makes it fun to create and extra fun to wear!
Sequinned chain bracelet by Brit + Co
This tutorial will work to make a necklace or a bracelet, so you and your bestie can choose which one you’d rather wear! To make this piece, you’ll need:
- Small chain
- A needle and thread
- Sequins (whatever colours you like)
- A jump ring
Maybe you can’t decide between necklaces and bracelets? Try making necklaces that are long enough to warp around your wrist twice so you can have both, depending on the day!
Beaded leather bracelet by Fab You Bliss
This bracelet is perfect for your friend with Bohemian chic style, but with a fun pop of colour too! To make this bracelet, you’ll need:
- Leather or suede cord
- A needle (one that is strong enough to puncture your leather or suede)
- Thread that matches the colour of your leather or suede
- Scissors
- Beads of your choice
- A thimble
Leather and suede can be tough to sew through, but the gorgeous end results are worth it!
Nautical rope bracelet by Operation Overhaul
These rope bracelets are a little closer to the traditional woven friendship bracelets you might have made at camp, but they’re a little more durable! To make them, you’ll need:
- Rope (4 strands, 30 cm each)
- 2 Leather Strips (cut to 3.5 cm each)
- Snap buttons
- Thread
- A needle
- Scissors
If you’d rather have your bracelets complement each other but not match completely, try weaving the same pattern but in different coloured rope!
Neon wrap bracelet by The Stylish and I Spy DIY
This wrap bracelet is chic in shape but fun in colour. Whether you and your best friend are always in bright shades and want something to match your personalities, or need a piece of colour to pop against your neutral palettes, this style is a great choice. To make this bracelets, you’ll need:
- Painter’s tape
- Super glue
- Rope
- Needle nose pliers
- Scissors
- End caps
- Jump rings
- A Lobster clasp
- Neon or embroidery thread in your choice of colours
Get wrapping!
Thread tassel bracelet by Wild Amor
This bracelet is the perfect combination of colour and texture. You and your best friend might have matching tassels, coordinating tassels, similarly coloured pearls… the details are yours to decide! To make this bracelet, you’ll need:
- Stretchy string
- Faux pearl beads (chains or other beads will also look great)
- Round nosed jewelry pliers
- Scissors
- Embroidery thread in your choice of colour
- A jump ring
Wire word bracelets by Brit + Co
These bracelets are a blast! They’re also a little more classic when it comes to “friendship” bracelets because you can make them to actually say “best” and “friends” if you want to! Not a fan of that idea? Try bending the wire to spell out your silly nicknames for each other instead! To make these bracelets, you’ll need:
- Crafting wire
- Cord ends
- A variety of string or embroidery floss
- 2 pairs of needle nose pliers
DIY Friendship Bracelet by Honestly WTF
Okay, we know we said we were going for more adult options here… but the classic woven bracelets are just so much fun! If you’re worried about what the office might think, try making the anklets instead so they’ll be seen less! To make these bracelets, you’ll need:
- Embroidery thread
- A safety pin or tape
- A pair of scissors
The patterns you’ll find on Honestly WTF are just a start. There are thousands of ways to weave these classic friendship bracelets! Refresh your memory with the easy ones and then tackle something new!
Lego friendship bracelets by The Centsible Life
These bracelets are a throwback to childhood and perfect for the bestie that you’ve known since pre-school. To make these simple bracelets, you’ll need:
- Flat LEGO bricks
- A drill and a 3/32″ drill bit
- Embroidery thread (three colours per brick for this pattern)
- Scissors
There’s nothing wrong with letting your playful side show!
Button bracelet by Morning Creativity
These bracelets let you upcycle and craft all at once! Put your spare buttons to use by transforming them into adorable friendship bracelets. To make these, you’ll need:
- Hemp string or embroidery floss
- Wooden or plastic buttons in colours that complement your string
- Scissors
Morse code bracelet by Honestly WTF
What better friendship bracelet idea than ones that carry secret messages? Customize your morse code bracelet to mean whatever you and your bestie want. You’ll be the only ones who know the secret message (unless you happen upon someone who reads morse code, of course). To make these bracelets, you’ll need:
- Small seed beads
- A morse code translator
- Embroidery floss
- Wire beading needles
- Crimping pliers
- Crimp beads
- Tiny gold beads
- Scissors
Get cracking on your codes!
Studded tulle bracelet by Brit + Co
It might look like embroidery floss, but these awesome studded bracelets are actually made of tulle! To try this alternative take on some classic friendship bracelet patterns, you’ll need:
- Tulle in various colours
- Assorted small studs
- Scissors
- Needle nose pliers
We just love the way the studs contrast with the girly tulle material for a totally unique look.
Did you and your best friend make other grown up (or not-so-grown up) friendship bracelets? We’d love to hear about them in the comments!