Monochrome Friendship Bracelets
These Monochrome Friendship Bracelets borrow the diamond pattern from our Classic Friendship Bracelets and, quite literally, turn it upside down! Using just one color of cording, you work up the diamond pattern, then flip it over to reveal a swirly pattern that intriguingly looks more like beading than macramé. Who knew that the “wrong side” of a friendship bracelet contained such beauty?
To make your own just follow the instructions for the Diamond Bracelet in our Classic Friendship Bracelet Kit or Pattern, using the same color for each strand. (Please see the Notes below for some helpful technical tips!) While this isn’t a beginner project, it is a fun challenge, kind of like a difficult sodoku or an all-black puzzle. Most importantly, in the end you’ll get something unexpected, pretty and unique! -Molly
Materials
- A Classic Friendship Bracelet Kit, which includes the Pattern and five spools of Knotting Cord, or just the Pattern on its own.
- 1mm Chinese Knotting Cord. One spool yields one bracelet. I used the colors Fluorescent Pink, Peach, Dark Green, Teal and White.
Notes
The original pattern calls for four colors (two strands of each color) and refers to the colors in the pattern as C1, C2, C3, and C4. In the case of using one color, you should differentiate between each strand by tying small overhand knots at the end of each length of cord. One knot for the cord that will be acting as Color 1 (C1), two for Color 2 (C2), etc. The above photo shows the ends of all of the cords before you begin, arranged in a mirror image (left to right): C4, C3, C2, C1, C1, C2, C3, C4.
The side facing up as you are working looks like a smooth field of stitches, not like diamonds, so it’s really important that you keep track of which cord you are using and which step you are doing.
This is a fairly advanced undertaking. To get into the swing of it you may want to make a Diamond Bracelet with four colors before you make this version. Either way, enjoy the challenge!
Loving this!
Camp crafts this year will rock it stylish!
This is brilliant!
It’s always the simplest ideas which yield the best results. 🙂
Can’t wait to make one!
This is so cute!!
Could you share this tutorial with photos??
Hi Selin-
The full pattern including lots of photos is available in our Classic Friendship Bracelet Kit here (it’s also linked in the Materials section of the story)
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/9693-Purl-Soho-Classic-Friendship-Bracelet-Kit
Thanks for getting in touch and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
Hi, I really like your diamond pattern and I can’t remember it from my youth. Would you mind republishing this?
Hi Sydney,
Thanks for writing in! You can find instructions for this bracelet in our Classic Friendship Bracelets Pattern!
Best,
Julianna
If you like this you will surely like the video on How To Make A Wish Bracelet on this site too! Those bracelets are beautiful also!
Hi!
I had a question, in the diamond friendship bracelet, it says to cut each color 72 inches and fold in half? In this monochromatic post, is says one spool yields one bracelet. If the spools have 10 yds of cord, then my math isn’t adding up? How much of each Cord would I start with? Like for C1, C2, C3?
Also when you say work up the diamond pattern, I’m confused? I thought I just have to follow the original pattern?
Sorry for all these questions, but this bracelet looks so neat and I want to conquer it!
Hi Aarti-
The Diamond pattern from our Classic Friendship Bracelets pattern says the following:
Begin by picking out 4 colors of cording and cut two 40-inch strands from each. You can work this particular pattern only over 4 colors and 8 strands.
I think you may be reading our previous diamond friendship bracelet pattern, which is not the pattern referred to in this story. The pattern we are referencing in this story is linked within the story and can also be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/9693-Purl-Soho-Classic-Friendship-Bracelet-Kit
Thanks for getting in touch and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
I’d like to do these monochromatic braccialets, where could I find the tutorial.
grazie
Hello Daniela,
The pattern is available for purchase here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/9693-Purl-Soho-Classic-Friendship-Bracelet-Kit
Thanks for your interest in our pattern! -Alyson
Hi i want to make this bracelet but I can’t figure out how to end it since it looks so different compared to the one you guys had an article about Could you make another tutorial??
Hi Muriel,
Thanks for writing in and thank you for your request! The directions for this bracelet can be found in our Classic Friendship Bracelet pattern that is available for purchase!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hello Purlsoho,
reading the other comments, I guess it’s confusing to tag this post as “free craft pattern”.
Best regards,
N
Hi Nakuna,
Thank you for notifying us! We were not aware and now have edited the post.
-Adam
Hello!
I’ve just made one of these bracelets and I absolutely love it! In addition to 1mm knotting cord I also have .4mm knotting cord. Do you have any idea how I should adjust the length of the strands to make this?
Hi Lily,
Thank you for writing in! While you may be tempted to make the strands shorter, I would suggest making them a similar length or a bit longer. Even though the knits will take up less cording, you will need to complete more rows to create the same length bracelet.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hello! I was wondering if you thought this craft would be age appropriate for an 8 yr old?
Thanks!
Brit
Hello Brittany,
Thank you for your question! I would say a crafty 8 year old could handle this with adult help.
Best,
Marilla
I love this! So creative!
Have you ever finished a friendship bracelet with a jump ring and lobster clasp? If so, is there a tutorial?
Hi Beth,
Thanks for writing in! We have not used a jump ring or lobster clasp to finish friendship bracelets and thus do not have tutorial. It does sound like a good idea. You may be able to find some help if it has been tried by searching on YouTube!
Thanks for the suggestion!
Cassy
Hey! So I’m 12 and I don’t have a job and I was super excited to try this pattern and went and spent all my money $3 on string and was wondering if there’s anywhere I can find this pattern for free. I don’t have any money because I’m 12 and I can’t get a job and my parents don’t have credit cards for buying stuff. Does anyone know a website o can find it?
Hi Kaylee,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately we do not have a free version of this pattern; however, you may be interested in our Braided Friendship Bracelets or Breezy Friendship Bracelets patterns which are available for free!
Best,
Julianna
Do you have any more patterns for bracelets that are easy for 13 year olds? This one was really cool but I need more to sell at my church’s craft fair!
Hello Aubrey,
Thank you for reaching out! I would recommend checking out our Classic Friendship Bracelets or our Breezy Friendship Bracelets
I hope this helps and happy crafting!
-Marilla
Can embroidery floss substitute for the knotting cord?
Hi Lou,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, absolutely – these friendship bracelets turn out quite beautiful in embroidery floss! You can see how it works out in our original Friendship Bracelets post!
Best,
Julianna
Hey! I’m trying out these bracelets for myself, but the knots aren’t even and they don’t look as pretty. How do yoy knot the cord so nicely ? It’s a lot harder and sturdier than traditional floss that I usually use for friendship bracelets, so the knots aren’t all even.
Hi Rubi,
Thanks for reaching out! The thickness of the cord can take a little time to get used to and to get the knots nice and even. The tutorial here is a great way to see the knots up close. Try pulling the cord a little tighter on the knots and see if that helps even them out. Hope this helps!
Best
Jessica
Hi! What is the width of these bracelets? How would it compare to using 6 strings?
Hi Lauren,
Great question! We don’t list the finished width of these bracelets in the pattern, but if I recall correctly from making them a few years ago, the Diamond Bracelet turns out just barely under 1/2″ wide, depending on how tightly you knot your bracelet. Modifying the pattern to use only six strands would probably be closer to 3/8″ wide.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I purchased “Classic Friendship Bracelet Kit” years ago, and would like to make the bracelet again. It looks like Purl Soho no longer carries 1mm Chinese Knotting Cord. I checked a few similar cords online but they are not as nice as the ones came with the kit. Could you tell me where you source your cords?
Hi E.,
Thanks for reaching out! The Chinese Knotting Cord was from Tangles ‘n Knots, and you should still be able to purchase it from them!
All the best,
Lili