A friendship bracelet pattern is a visual grid that shows how to tie knots using embroidery floss or thread. Each cell represents one knot — the color indicates which string is used, and the diagonal line (↘ or ↙) indicates the knot direction. These patterns help crafters create beautiful, repeatable designs for handmade bracelets.

Forward knot (↘): The left string ties over the right string, creating a diagonal slant from top-left to bottom-right. This is the most common knot in friendship bracelets.

Backward knot (↙): The right string ties over the left string, creating a diagonal slant from top-right to bottom-left. Mixing forward and backward knots creates chevrons, diamonds, and other intricate shapes.

Beginners typically start with 4–6 strings. Common counts are 6, 8, 10, or 12 strings. More strings allow for more intricate patterns but require more patience. Our tool defaults to 10 columns (strings) — a great middle ground. Remember: the number of columns in the grid equals the number of strings you'll need.

Most classic friendship bracelet patterns are symmetrical — the left half mirrors the right half. This creates balanced, visually appealing designs. With our Symmetry mode enabled, painting on one side automatically mirrors to the other, saving you time and ensuring perfect balance.

Read the grid from top to bottom, one row at a time. Each row represents a horizontal pass of knots you'll tie. The columns represent individual strings. A colored cell with a diagonal line tells you: "Use this color string to tie a knot in this direction over the adjacent string." Start from the top row and work your way down.

Yes! Click the Export button to download your pattern as a high-quality PNG image. You can then print it, share it with friends, or save it for later reference. The exported image includes the full grid with all colors and knot directions clearly visible.

Classic friendship bracelets often use bright, contrasting colors like red, blue, yellow, green, and pink. High contrast between adjacent strings makes patterns pop. Pastel palettes create softer looks, while neon colors give a vibrant 90s vibe. Experiment with our preset color palette or pick your own custom colors!