Lesson: Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

Learn the four friendship bracelet knots: Forwards, Backwards, Forwards-Backwards, & Backwards-Forwards

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There are four basic friendship bracelet knots, which determine the direction the knot will travel. Friendship bracelet knots consist of two knots stacked together using the same two strands, so you have the following four options:

  • Forwards Knot = forwards knot followed by forwards knot
  • Backwards Knot = backwards knot followed by backwards knot
  • Forwards-Backwards Knot = forwards knot followed by backwards knot
  • Backwards-Forwards Knot = backwards knot followed by forwards knot

Forwards Knot

Forwards knot indicates that the strand you're using to knot is traveling in the "forwards" direction, as in the direction we read in English: left to right.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step one

This knot will start with two strands: the working strand on the left and the interior strand on the right. Keeping the interior strand straight, create the shape of a number "4" by bending the working strand and placing it on top of the interior strand.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step two

Wrap the working strand under the interior strand and pull it out through the loop on the left.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step three

Ride the knot up to the very top of your bracelet, making sure to keep the interior strand straight as you do. Then pull tightly to secure.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step four

Repeat process again, creating the number 4 shape the same way you did the first time around.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step five

Again, loop through...

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step six

Ride the knot up, keeping the interior strand straight as you do, then pull to tighten and secure. Your working strand should now fall naturally to the right of your interior strand and is ready to knot around the strand that now falls to the right of it.

Backwards Knot

Backwards knot indicates that the strand you're using to knot is traveling in the "backwards" direction, as in opposite to the direction we read in English: right to left.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step one

This knot with start with two strands: the working strand on the right and the interior strand on the left. Keeping the interior strand straight, create the shape of a "P" or "backwards 4" by bending the working strand and placing it on top of the interior strand.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step two

Wrap the working strand under the interior strand and pull it out through the loop on the right.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step three

Ride the knot up to the very top of your bracelet, making sure to keep the interior strand straight as you do. Then pull tightly to secure.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step four

Repeat process again, creating the "P" or "backwards 4" shape the same way you did the first time around.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step five

Again, loop through...

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step six

Ride the knot up, keeping the interior strand straight as you do, then pull to tighten and secure. Your working strand should now fall naturally to the left of your interior strand and is ready to knot around the strand that now falls to the left of it.

Forwards-Backwards Knot

A forwards-backwards knot enables you to change the direction your strand is traveling halfway through the knotting process, essentially flipping it back to the same place it started. Your working strand will start on the left side of your interior strand, and will also end on the left side of your interior strand. This knot is often used for creating a point in a sideways "V" shape.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step one

This knot with start with two strands: the working strand on the left and the interior strand on the right. Keeping the interior strand straight, create the shape of a number "4" by bending the working strand and placing it on top of the interior strand.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step two

Wrap the working strand under the interior strand and pull it out through the loop on the left.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step three

Ride the knot up to the very top of your bracelet, making sure to keep the interior strand straight as you do. Then pull tightly to secure.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step four

Now, in the style of a backwards knot, create a "P" or "backwards 4" bending the working strand and placing it on top of the interior strand.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step five

Wrap the working strand under the interior strand and pull it out through the loop on the right.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step six

Ride the knot up, keeping the interior strand straight as you do, then pull to tighten and secure. Your working strand should now fall naturally to the left of your interior strand and is ready to knot around the strand that now falls to the left of it.

Backwards-Forwards Knot

A backwards-forwards knot enables you to change the direction your strand is traveling halfway through the knotting process, essentially flipping it back to the same place it started. Your working strand will start on the right side of your interior strand, and will also end on the right side of your interior strand. This knot is often used for creating a point in a sideways "V" shape.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step one

This knot with start with two strands: the working strand on the right and the interior strand on the left. Keeping the interior strand straight, create the shape of a "P" or "backwards 4" by bending the working strand and placing it on top of the interior strand.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step two

Wrap the working strand under the interior strand and pull it out through the loop on the right.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step three

Ride the knot up to the very top of your bracelet, making sure to keep the interior strand straight as you do. Then pull tightly to secure.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step four

Now, in the style of a backwards knot, create a number "4" shape, bending the working strand and placing it on top of the interior strand.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step five

Wrap the working strand under the interior strand and pull it out through the loop on the left.

Friendship Bracelet Knot Guide

step six

Ride the knot up, keeping the interior strand straight as you do, then pull to tighten and secure. Your working strand should now fall naturally to the right of your interior strand and is ready to knot around the strand that now falls to the right of it.

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