How to Tie a Loop Knot Bracelet
One of the most important steps to making a friendship bracelet is how you start it. You want to start your bracelet in a way that will make tying it onto your wrist easy. This goes hand in hand with how you end your bracelets.
Your start could be very simple, or if you've been making bracelets for a while, you could try a more advanced style of a start. Either way you choose, you will be able to wear your bracelet.
Here I will be showing you 3 beginner ways to start your bracelet.
Simple Loop
An easy and simple way to start your bracelet is with a basic loop. This kind of loop works great if you are wanting 2 strings per color. (or any even number of strings per color.) This start usually has two ties at the end of the bracelet.
To make this, you will want your strings to have double the length. For simple bracelet patterns, I usually cut my strings about 60 in. in length if I am going to be making this loop. After you have cut your strings, you will line up the edges of the strings and then fold them in half, lining up the opposite side of the strings with the first side. Making sure both sides are as even as possible will help to make sure you don't run out of some of your strings.
Next, find where the strings are folded in half. Pick up the fold, and about half of an inch below the middle of the fold, tie an overhand knot. Pull it tight and then you are done!
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Fold strings in half -
Fold under strings -
Pull through middle -
tighten the knot
Start with a Tie
Another easy way to start a bracelet is to start it with one of your ties. If you don't know what kind of ties there are, check out this tutorial. Starting your bracelet this way gives you a tie on both sides of your bracelet, rather than two ties at the end. You can make this first tie before you start on your bracelet, or you can leave about 3-4 in. of string at the beginning of the bracelet and just start with your bracelet pattern.
Start with a Knotted Loop
Another way to start your friendship bracelet is by making a knotted loop. If you have made a Chinese Staircase bracelet, then you will be able to make a knotted loop.
Instead of doing all forward or all backward knots, you will do all forward-backward knots. This creates a line on the bracelet instead of a spiral and makes the loop one solid color. However, if you want the spiral in the loop, then use all forward or all backward knots.
Making the loop
To make a knotted loop, make sure your string lengths are doubled, about 60 in. and fold them in half. Find the middle of the fold and about 1/4 of an inch above the middle, tape it to your work surface.
Make a forward half-knot, followed by a backward half-knot, which is a forward-backward knot (fb knot). Make about 10 fb knots if it is a smaller bracelet, or add more fb knots if it is a larger bracelet.
Closing the loop
Once you have made your loop, now you will bring the two sides together. Fold your loop in half, and check to see if your loop is as big as you would like it to be. If it is too small, add a couple more fb knots. If it is too big, take a couple knots out. You want it to be big enough so that the knot of your ties will be able to fit through the loop. Once it is to the length you want, make a forward knot with one of the strings to keep the loop closed. This finishes the loop and you can now begin making your bracelet!
These are just some of the easiest ways to start a friendship bracelet. They give a nice, simple look to your bracelet. Once you have learned the basics of these beginnings, you can find a way to vary these and make it your own!
How to Tie a Loop Knot Bracelet
Source: http://madebyamberrae.com/how-to-start-a-friendship-bracelet/