The Secret to a Perfect Zig Zag Friendship Bracelet

To make a zig zag friendship bracelet, tie three full rows of forward knots, then three full rows of backward knots. Repeat that sequence to form the angled body, then braid the loose ends into ties. This three-color version uses six separate working strings.

Blue and white appears in several of Maresi’s finished friendship bracelet designs. Here, a darker blue adds a third color to follow through the zigzag.

The turn deserves the most attention. You keep the same face of the bracelet upward and reverse your knotting direction. Once you can spot where one section ends, the next row is much easier to follow.

What kind of zigzag are we making?

This pattern makes a shaped zigzag: the strip itself changes direction along its length. A basic chevron brings strings toward the middle to form a V, while some other zigzag patterns put an angular motif inside a straight band. A 3D-effect design uses its own color arrangement and knot sequence.

If you have a particular bracelet in mind, compare the shapes before picking a pattern. A photo labeled “zigzag” can show any of those designs.

For this project, choose three colors you can easily tell apart. Blue, white, and a darker blue give you a clear sequence without needing a rainbow. The Brunelli Friendship Bracelet pairs blue and white nautical cord, a useful color reference when you want contrast with a small palette.

Materials and string setup

You will need embroidery floss in three colors, scissors, a measuring tape, and tape or a clipboard to hold the top still.

Cut two individual pieces of each color. A starting allowance of at least 48 inches, or about 122 cm, per piece gives you thread for knotting and ties; allow more for a longer bracelet or longer tails. Thread thickness, tension, and the length you make will affect how much you use, so leave the ends long until you have checked the fit.

Use each cut piece as one working string, keeping the full floss bundle together. The fine plies inside embroidery floss are different from the six strings you will arrange on the table. If those counts are confusing, the explanation of floss bundles and working ends will help before you cut.

Setup detail	This pattern
Colors	Three, labeled A, B, and C
Pieces to cut	Two of each color, six pieces total
Working strings	Six; leave the pieces unfolded
Starting order	A1, B1, C1, A2, B2, C2
Knots	Forward and backward
Repeat	Three forward rows, then three backward rows
Finish	Braided tails for tying

The number identifies a physical string. A1 and A2 are the same color, but they are separate pieces. Keep those names throughout the instructions, even when the strings change positions.

Two hitches make one knot

A forward knot has two forward hitches made with the same working string around the same neighbor. A backward knot has two backward hitches. Finish both movements before picking up another supporting string.

If you need to practice the two knot directions, do that with two contrasting pieces first. Watch where the working string finishes: a forward knot moves it to the right of its neighbor, and a backward knot moves it to the left.

Here, one full row carries a working string across the other five strings. That makes five completed knots per row. Count the rows separately from the knots, especially when you reach the first turn.

How to make a zig zag friendship bracelet

1. Secure the top and arrange the strings

Gather the six pieces and tie an overhand knot near one end, leaving enough loose thread above it to braid and tie comfortably later. Clip the knot to a clipboard or tape the loose ends securely to a table.

Spread the working strings from left to right:

A1 B1 C1 A2 B2 C2

Keep the strings separate enough to pick up one without catching another. If you stop partway through the project, jot down the row you have finished before putting it away.

2. Make the first forward row

Pick up A1 from the far left. Hold B1 gently taut and lay A1 over it in a shape like the number 4. Bring the end of A1 underneath B1 and up through the opening. Slide that hitch up toward the starting knot, then repeat the movement around B1.

That is one complete forward knot. Keep A1 as the working string and make another forward knot around C1. Continue around A2, B2, and C2, making two hitches around each neighbor.

A1 now sits at the far right. Your order should be:

B1 C1 A2 B2 C2 A1

Finish the whole row with A1. Switching to the new leftmost string halfway across would interrupt the stripe.

If two neighboring colors are difficult to distinguish, change your lighting before changing the pattern. The Altiani Black and White Friendship Bracelet shows how clearly two contrasting colors can read in braided cord. For your own project, a light, medium, and dark floss color can make the working order easier to follow.

3. Add two more forward rows

B1 is now on the far left. Carry it across the other five strings using forward knots. Then make the third forward row with C1.

After those three rows, check this order:

A2 B2 C2 A1 B1 C1

4. Make the first turn

Keep the bracelet face up. C1 has just finished at the far right, and it will make the next row too, this time traveling left.

Hold B1, its immediate neighbor, gently taut. Use C1 to form a backward 4 over B1, bring the end underneath and through the opening, and move the hitch up beside the existing work. Repeat around B1 to complete the backward knot.

Continue with C1 around A1, C2, B2, and A2. Each gets a complete backward knot. C1 finishes on the far left.

Use B1, now at the far right, for the next backward row. Follow with A1 for the third backward row. You have completed the return section when the strings are back in their original order:

A1 B1 C1 A2 B2 C2

At a direction change, snug the first hitch into position before making the second. Pulling the working string sharply can squeeze the turn and make it harder to see what happened.

5. Check the repeat before continuing

Each line below is one complete row. The order is always read from left to right, including when you are knotting toward the left.

Row	Working string	Direction	Order after the row
1	A1	Forward	B1 C1 A2 B2 C2 A1
2	B1	Forward	C1 A2 B2 C2 A1 B1
3	C1	Forward	A2 B2 C2 A1 B1 C1
4	C1	Backward	C1 A2 B2 C2 A1 B1
5	B1	Backward	B1 C1 A2 B2 C2 A1
6	A1	Backward	A1 B1 C1 A2 B2 C2

Notice that C1 works twice in a row at the first turn. A1 also works on the last row of this repeat and the first row of the next. That repeated working string is expected.

Repeat rows 1–6, checking the order at the end of each section. If it does not match, inspect the most recent row before adding another one. The error is easier to find while it is still at the bottom of the work.

Finish the bracelet and check the fit

Hold the patterned section around the intended wrist while it is still on the working strings. Leave room for the braided tails and the joining tie. The patterned body does not have to form the entire circle on its own.

The Varena Friendship Bracelet uses a sliding knot to adjust its fit. With the braided ties in this project, leave enough length to bring the ends together and tie them comfortably. Decide how you want a bracelet to close before using the whole wrist measurement for its patterned body.

For a gift, check the wrist and closure allowance while there is still time to add another repeat. Stop and assess the remaining thread if any working string is getting short.

When the length works, gather the strings below the final row and tie an overhand knot. Divide the six strings into three groups of two. Braid those groups, then tie a small overhand knot at the end to secure the braid.

Braid and secure the loose starting tail too. Bring the tails together around the wrist, tie them securely, and check that the bracelet sits comfortably when you move your hand. Keep the tails usable; trim excess only after trying the fit. If you want a closure that slides repeatedly, follow instructions for that separate closure before trimming anything.

Fix gaps, curling, and wrong turns

Spread the strings and look at the last completed row first. Changing your whole setup can make a small mistake harder to trace.

What you see	What to check
A gap at the turn	Bring the first hitch up beside the previous section before completing the knot.
A row changes color halfway across	Confirm that the same working string made all five knots.
The order does not match the chart	Check for a skipped neighbor, a single unfinished hitch, or a knot made in the wrong direction.
The strip curls tightly	Ease the tension and check that every complete knot contains two hitches. Some movement comes with the shaped construction.
The bracelet keeps heading one way	Count full rows: turn after three, then work three in the other direction.

Loosen the most recent mistaken knot with a blunt needle if necessary, taking care not to split the floss. Redo that small section and check the order again. Pulling harder on the next row will not replace a missed knot.

Choosing colors for your zigzag pattern

Three distinct colors make the chart easier to follow on a first attempt. Once you recognize the repeat, you can try closer shades, such as navy, medium blue, and pale blue, or a quieter combination of charcoal, gray, and cream.

Change the palette while keeping the six working positions and the starting arrangement consistent. Adding more colors or strings can change the pattern and its width, so use instructions written for that version. A rainbow design may need a different setup.

If completing a row still takes all your attention, start with straight diagonal rows and return to the turns once the forward knot feels familiar.

FAQs

How many strings do I need for this zig zag friendship bracelet?

This version uses six working strings, made from two individual pieces of each of three colors. Leave the pieces unfolded. Other zigzag patterns use different string counts, so follow their own setup rather than adding strings to this chart.

How long should I cut the strings?

Start with at least 48 inches, about 122 cm, per individual piece, allowing extra for a longer bracelet or longer ties. That is a starting allowance. Thread thickness, knot tension, patterned length, and finishing all affect how much floss the project uses.

How many rows should a friendship bracelet be?

There is no row count that fits every bracelet. Measure the work against the wrist and allow for the finish. Here, one repeat contains six full rows, so use completed repeats as checkpoints while checking the physical length.

What's the easiest friendship bracelet to make?

A simple braid is approachable if you already know how to braid. Candy stripe is useful for practicing repeated forward knots. This zigzag adds backward rows and direction changes, so being comfortable with both knot directions makes the project easier to follow.

Can you show me a zig zag friendship bracelet pattern with a 3D effect?

The pattern above teaches a simple shaped zigzag. A 3D-effect version needs its own color placement and knot sequence to create that appearance. Choose a pattern specifically written for the 3D result; changing this bracelet's colors alone does not guarantee it.

Is a zigzag friendship bracelet the same as a chevron?

A basic chevron brings strings inward from both sides to create a V. In this version, a working string crosses the whole bracelet, and groups of rows change direction. The designs share knot movements, but their starting arrangements and repeats differ.