Friendship Bracelets

Crafting together has mental health benefits for kids individually & benefits the parent/child relationship, as well. For a child, making a project like this one can be gratifying & build self-esteem. Working alongside their caregiver, they feel connected & appreciated, especially when they don’t feel pressured to do things exactly “right”. As they work together, they can have healthy conversations about anything – even those difficult topics that might otherwise be hard to discuss. 
https://www.onoursleeves.org/mental-wellness-tools-guides/conversation-starters 

This project has the added benefit of lending itself to the development of mindful behavior. Mindfulness, or living in the present moment, means focusing on the task at hand. Mindfulness insists that you slow down & take your time.
https://www.onoursleeves.org/mental-wellness-tools-guides/helping-kids-stay-positive/help-kids-practice-mindfulness
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SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Embroidery floss in desired colors
• Tape
• Scissors

DIRECTIONS:
forward knot:

1. Use one strand to make the shape of a 4 over the other strand(s). Bring the end under the strand(s) and up through the loop of the 4 shape. Pull tightly. Repeat again to complete the knot.(Note: each knot is actually knotted twice to make the full knot.)

Backward Knot:

1. Use one strand to make the shape of a reverse 4 over the other strand(s). Bring the end under the strand(s) and up through the loop of the reverse 4 shape. Pull tightly. Repeat again to complete the knot. (Note: each knot is actually knotted twice to make the full knot.)

Heart Bracelet:

1. Choose two colors of floss. Cut 4 strands of each color, approximately a full arm's length.
2. Hold the 8 strands together and knot one end.
3. Separate the strands into three sections and braid for 3". Knot the end of the braid.


4. Separate the colors into two sections, lining the colors in this order: ABAB BABA.


5. Row 1a: Start on the left side with the outer most strand. Make a forward knot. (Don’t forget to knot twice every time.) Tighten.
6. Continue making a forward knots, moving right over each of the three strands.
7. Row 1b: Pick up the outer most strand on the right side. Make a backward knot. (Don’t forget to knot twice.) Tighten.
8. Continue making backward knots, moving left over the 3 strands.
9. Make a backward knot with the 2 center strands to connect the two sides of this row.
10. Row 2a: Repeat row 1a, starting with the next outermost strand on the left, and working over the 3 strands to the right.
11. Row 2b: Repeat row 1b, starting with the next outermost strand on the right, and working over the 3 strands to the left.
12. Make a backward knot with the two center strands to connect the 2 sides of this row.
13. Row 3a: Take the second-most outer strand on the left, make a backward knot over the outermost strand.
14. Now take the new second strand on the left, and forward knot over each strand to the middle.
15. Row 3b: Take the second-most outer strand on the right, make a forward knot over the outermost strand.
16. Now take the new second strand on the right, and backward knot over each strand to the middle.
17. Make a backward knot with the 2 center strands to connect the 2 sides of this row.
18. Row 4a: Repeat row 3a.
19. Row 4b: Repeat row 3b.
20. Make a backward knot with the two center strands to connect the 2 sides of this row.
21. Repeat rows 1-4 until bracelet measures the width of wrist.
22. Knot all strands at the end of the hearts.
23. Separate the strands into 3 sections and braid for 3". Knot the end of the braid.
24. Trim any extra length.

Diagonal Bracelet:

1. Choose 5 colors of floss. Cut a strand of each color, approximately a full arm's length.
2. Hold the 5 strands together and knot one end.
3. Separate the strands into three sections and braid for 3". Knot the end of the braid.
4. Row 1: Start on the left side with the outer most strand. Make a forward knot. (Don’t forget to knot twice every time.) Tighten.
5. Continue making a forward knots, moving right over each of the strands.
6. Row 2: Start on the left side with the next outer most strand. Make a forward knot. Tighten.
7. Continue making a forward knots, moving right over each of the strands.
8. Continue in this manner, until bracelet measures the width of wrist.
9. Knot all strands at the end of the hearts.
10. Separate the strands into 3 sections and braid for 3". Knot the end of the braid.
11. Trim any extra length.

forward knot Bracelet:

1. Choose 4 colors of floss. Cut 2 strands of each color, approximately a full arm's length.
2. Hold the 8 strands together and knot one end.
3. Separate the strands into three sections and braid for 3". Knot the end of the braid.
4. Row 1: Choose the first color. Make a forward knot over all of the other strands. Tighten.
5. Continue to making forward knots until you wish to switch to a new color.


6. Row 2: Choose the next color. Make a forward knot over all of the other strands. Tighten.
7. Continue to make 16 forward knots.
8. Continue in this manner, switching colors as desired, until bracelet measures the width of wrist.
9. Knot all strands at the end of the hearts.
10. Separate the strands into 3 sections and braid for 3". Knot the end of the braid.
11. Trim any extra length.