A friendship bracelet pattern is a grid-based design that shows how to tie knots between colored strings. Each cell represents a knot between two adjacent strings — the cell's color indicates which string is the working string (the one making the knot), and the diagonal line shows the knot direction. Reading row by row, you follow the pattern to create beautiful woven bracelets.

Forward Knot (/): The left string ties over the right string. Backward Knot (\): The right string ties over the left string. Forward-Backward (FB): The left string ties forward then backward — often used for color changes and shaping. Backward-Forward (BF): The right string ties backward then forward. Master these four knots and you can create any pattern!

The number of strings (columns in this designer) determines your bracelet's width. Common sizes are 6-12 strings for beginners, producing bracelets about 0.5-1 inch wide. More strings create wider, more intricate patterns. Each string should be about 24-30 inches long for a standard bracelet. Remember: the pattern's columns = your total number of strings!

Read the grid from top to bottom, left to right. Each row is one completed pass of knotting. The colored cell tells you which string is dominant (making the knot), and the diagonal line tells you the knot direction. Follow row by row, and your bracelet pattern will emerge! The string labels at the top help you track which string goes where.

Mirror mode automatically duplicates your design symmetrically across the center. When you color a cell on the left side, the matching cell on the right gets the mirrored color and opposite knot type. This is perfect for creating balanced, professional-looking patterns with half the effort! Most classic bracelet patterns are symmetrical.

Yes! Use the Export PNG button to download your pattern as an image file — perfect for sharing on social media or printing. The Copy Text button copies a text representation of your pattern that you can paste into notes, messages, or pattern-sharing communities. You can always come back and recreate your design using the same grid settings and colors.

Embroidery floss (cotton) is the most popular choice — it's affordable, comes in hundreds of colors, and knots beautifully. DMC and Anchor are trusted brands. For beginners, 6-strand cotton floss is ideal. You can also use hemp, yarn, or nylon thread for different looks. Match your floss colors to the colors you choose in this designer for the best results!

A simple 8-string bracelet with 16-20 rows typically takes 1-2 hours for beginners. As you practice, you'll get faster! Complex patterns with many rows or strings can take 3-6 hours. The pattern you design here directly determines the time investment — more rows = more knotting time. Start with a smaller pattern if you're new to bracelet making.