How to Make DIY Beaded Friendship Bracelets

Friendship bracelets are fun to make and fun to give! They are the perfect way to let a friend know how special they are. There are several ways to make a friendship bracelet, one of which is to make one by finger knitting.

Finger knitting is a way of knitting without knitting needles. It is also known as finger weaving. It is possible to knit with two, three or four fingers depending on the thickness of the cord being used.

A viewer liked our previous finger-knit friendship bracelet tutorial and asked if beads could be added. This tutorial will show how to add beads to this type of friendship bracelet, which gives it a unique style.

Learn more about creating this simple pony bead bracelet by watching our video through the link below or continue reading.

WHAT YOU NEED to make a beaded finger-knit bracelet

• Two strands of yarn
• Color beads (pony beads or wooden beads are popular choices)
• Tapestry needle

INSTRUCTIONS to make a beaded friendship bracelet

STEP 1: Thread the two pieces of yarn onto the tapestry needle

The eye of a tapestry needle is quite large and will accommodate two pieces of yarn. To make threading the needle easier, see our tutorial on threading a needle with yarn.

Step 2: Thread beads onto the yarn

Decide which pattern of beads will be used for the bracelet design. For this tutorial, a pattern of A, B, A, and B was used in pink and purple.  Use any bead colors you like or even the color of the rainbow.

String the beads in the order chosen onto the needle and push them down the yarn a short way from the needle, not to the end of the yarn.

Step 3: Make a slip knot

Remove the needle from the yarn. Make a loop with the yarn in the non-dominant hand. Be sure there is enough room to pull the working yarn through the loop.

Make a slip knot on the end of the yarn by putting the working yarn through the loop that was made. There will now be a loop to finger knit with.The yarn should move easily as the loop is made larger or smaller. 

step 4: begin making chains

Next, four chains will be finger-knitted on the bracelet. 

Take the slip knot in the non-dominant hand around the thumb and forefinger. With these two fingers, pinch the working yarn between them. Next, pull the working yarn through the loop to form a second loop.

Pull gently on the yarn until the first loop becomes a chain stitch. Do this four times.

Step 5: add a bead to the bracelet

Slide the first bead on the yarn until it is against the last chain made.

Finger-knit a chain by pulling the bead with the yarn through the loop.  Note that the bead is on the loop.

Push the bead to either side of the loop that was just made.

Step 6: continue finger knitting

After adding the bead, make two chains without beads, moving the working yarns through the loop to make a chain stitch and a new loop.

After the two chains are finished, add another bead by sliding it from the working yarn and pulling it and the working yarn through the loop.

This bead can stay on the same side as the first bead by pushing it toward the same side of the loop as was done with the first bead. OR move the bead to the other side of the loop to make the beads on alternate sides.

Step 7: continue making chains and adding beads

After a bead is placed on the bracelet, follow this with two chains. Continue doing this until the bracelet is the correct length to fit around a wrist.

Step 8: Tie off the end of the finger-knitting 

To tie off the end of the bracelet when finished chaining, cut the yarn leaving a nice length of tail.

Then, pull the end of the string through the loop.  Tug gently to secure the end.

Take the ends of the string and tie them together to make the bracelet. The beaded friendship bracelet is complete!

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