DIY Friendship Necklace

As soon as Lauren and I saw this editorial in Flare Magazine, we knew we had to recreate these awesome, friendship bracelet-like necklaces. ย We promise they are super easy to make and the perfect way to pass the time during those long summer roadtrips.

 

You’ll need:
– cotton rope or twine
– a pair of scissors
– nuts and washers
– embroidery thread
– thread bobbins or squares of cardboard (all of which you can find at your local hardware and craft store)

To make a 2-tone necklace, cut a long piece of rope and wrap two different colors of embroidery thread around its own bobbin.ย  Tie a starter knot along with the two colored threads you are using, leaving at least 3 inches of slack,ย  Tape down the slack to a flat surface or safety pin it something that will help keep it in place (feeling nostalgic yet?).ย  Lay the color that isn’t being used (shown here in purple) in your left hand, along with the rope, and hold them taut.ย  Take the active color (shown here in red) in your right hand, pass it over the rope, loop it under and back through the opening.ย  Pull up and to the right to tighten.ย  Repeat the knots until you are ready to switch colors. ย (Click images to enlarge)

To alternate colors, simply put the inactive color (red) in your left hand and the new active color (purple) in your right.ย  Repeat the steps.

Once you’re done knotting, add a few nuts and/or washers to the necklace.ย  Undo the large starter knot and tie both open ends together, creating your very own friendship necklace!ย  Trim any extra rope and tread.ย  Continue making necklaces at different lengths, using any color combination…in our opinion, the more the better! ย Easy enough, right??

(top image via Fashion Gone Rogue, rest of images by Honestly…WTF)

Leave a Comment

270 Comments

  1. Miss Giny wrote:

    Great ! thank you ! ^^

    7.20.10
    Reply
  2. Margot wrote:

    Awww. It’s like summer camp but more fashionable. ๐Ÿ™‚

    7.20.10
    Reply
  3. Wow, this brings back memories. I used to do these in my hair!

    7.20.10
    Reply
  4. Deana wrote:

    Another great DIY tutorial, thanks ladies! Love the pictures too!

    7.20.10
    Reply
  5. Wonderful – I love them. Thank you!

    7.20.10
    Reply
  6. Great DIY! This is so great for summer! Thank you

    http://behindthelashes.com

    7.20.10
    Reply
  7. This is sooooo great for summer, thank you!!!

    7.20.10
    Reply
  8. Barret wrote:

    Those are gorgeous necklaces – i am so impressed by this DIY. Going to have to try this one myself!

    7.20.10
    Reply
  9. erica wrote:

    thanks guys!! we’re so happy you like!! ๐Ÿ˜‰ send us photos! we’d love to see what you’ve done!

    7.20.10
    Reply
  10. karen wrote:

    yay friendship bracelets!! I’m so excited you gals posted this ๐Ÿ™‚ Totally gonna do it soon!

    7.20.10
    Reply
  11. char wrote:

    love it!
    will definately be making some!

    7.22.10
    Reply
  12. EK wrote:

    I found this post via Refinery 29 – I will be making these for sure (and reblogging at my blog)! Thanks so much!

    http://www.heygoodlookinblog.blogspot.com

    7.22.10
    Reply
  13. Jasmine wrote:

    Defintely going to try this!
    thanx!
    (:

    7.22.10
    Reply
  14. I also used to do these in my hair. I’m having a carefree summer day and now I’m so inspired to do this again!

    7.22.10
    Reply
  15. Rachel wrote:

    Wow, these are so pretty! How perfect for summer, I’m in love. I just came across your blog via Poppytalk. I would love to link to this if you didn’t mind.

    7.22.10
    Reply
  16. nauli wrote:

    Your necklace is so beautiful! We used to make frienship bracelets like this in our childhood. You make we wanna start again. A big necklace like yours would be so great!

    7.22.10
    Reply
  17. FRAN T wrote:

    THANKS ยกยกยก I JUST LOVE IT

    7.22.10
    Reply
  18. Anna wrote:

    I used to make these like crazy when I was kid. Between embroidery floss friendship bracelets, and beaded lizards, I kept pretty busy! ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for the nostalgic how-to. XO!

    7.22.10
    Reply
  19. Endrina wrote:

    These are lovely! I remember wearing them as bracelets when I was younger.
    Thanks for sharing your tutorial:)

    7.24.10
    Reply
  20. Samya salama wrote:

    I always wondered how they do these bracelets. Thanks for sharing ๐Ÿ™‚

    -Samya

    7.24.10
    Reply
  21. emily wrote:

    thanks for sharing! really cool xxo

    7.25.10
    Reply
  22. jonahliza wrote:

    these are super awesome. thank you!

    7.25.10
    Reply
  23. this inspired me to call some of my friends who i haven’t seen for the longest time. they totally remembered how we used to make these back in high school. we promised we’ll hang out sometime and make friendship bracelets again! or necklaces this time!

    7.25.10
    Reply
  24. Leigh wrote:

    Cool idea! Glad that you share this! So gonna try making one! :>

    7.28.10
    Reply
  25. Ashleigh wrote:

    Wow! This is utterly amazing..
    Im lost for words ๐Ÿ™‚ Im going out and buying the material as soon as the weekend comes!

    7.29.10
    Reply
  26. Jaymie wrote:

    These are awesome!
    Thanks for sharing ๐Ÿ™‚
    Do you know what i really feel like having some hair braids chanel that inner child, hippy on holiday look.
    Jaymie

    http://jaymieocallaghan.blogspot.com/

    8.3.10
    Reply
  27. Thanks for giving me a road trip passtime! I have too much embroidery floss, and honestly, i hate embroidering shit.

    8.3.10
    Reply
  28. Lindsay C wrote:

    This may be the most awesome thing I have ever seen…

    8.3.10
    Reply
  29. Meghan wrote:

    Awesome!

    8.3.10
    Reply
  30. Amy Gieske wrote:

    Awesome! I’m definately going to make some necklaces, but I was also inspired by this post to make this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gieske/4861534337/

    8.4.10
    Reply
  31. erica wrote:

    wow, Amy! that is GENIUS!!! LOVE! xx

    8.4.10
    Reply
  32. Dana wrote:

    Great necklaces, so colorful and fun. Linked back to you from my blog.

    8.4.10
    Reply
  33. susie wrote:

    This is a great idea! I want to make one!

    8.5.10
    Reply
  34. beadinggem wrote:

    Great tutorial!! I love how one can wear several or use just a single one with a focal. I will link in an upcoming blog post! Pearl

    8.5.10
    Reply
  35. Katie wrote:

    I am SO in love with this! Thank you SO much for sharing – Cannot wait to make many of these!

    8.5.10
    Reply
  36. danielle wrote:

    this brings me back to the days of hair wraps.

    8.11.10
    Reply
  37. Rachel wrote:

    love the tutorial. i tried and make some necklaces and they look sooooo nice!

    8.12.10
    Reply
  38. Ms K wrote:

    it seems a zillion of years that I last made my friendship bands. its a great idea to wear the friendship band as a fashion accessory=)

    xoxo
    http://stylison.blogspot.com/

    8.12.10
    Reply
  39. laiona wrote:

    i was looking for a way to make a belly chain from embroidary floss but i will def be making these too. it makes so much sense to use rope because it gives it body, awww i think im gonna have a collection of these.

    do you think we could get away with these in winter if we mute the colors?
    I think soo!

    8.12.10
    Reply
  40. Kristine wrote:

    I just found your blog via Poppytalk and I love it!! Can’t wait to try the pompom garland and these friendship necklaces are too adorable for words! Thank you!

    8.29.10
    Reply
  41. Dee wrote:

    I want this!! ๐Ÿ˜ฎ

    8.31.10
    Reply
  42. Soo great – I love it!

    9.7.10
    Reply
  43. Nancy Ward wrote:

    Hi!

    Wanted you to know I posted a link to this tutorial today on my blog, PaperFriendly.

    Nancy Ward
    PaperFriendly
    http://www.nancywardcrafts.com

    9.13.10
    Reply
  44. OMG! These are so fabulously fantastic. Love love love!

    10.4.10
    Reply
  45. Ana wrote:

    Hi ! I just wanted you to know that I made a post about this and I used some of you images her: http://www.liveandenliven.com/2010/10/diy-stylish-friendship-necklaces.html LOVE this D.I.Y! THANKS!

    10.6.10
    Reply
  46. Chloe wrote:

    Too beautiful! I love this. Wow – the colors.

    11.15.10
    Reply
  47. SayaR wrote:

    Wow, this brings back memories of junior high. Now that I’m a broke, semi-unemployed adult, may be time to bring these back out for Christmas presents! Is there a specific brand on thread you recommend?

    11.18.10
    Reply
  48. bukola wrote:

    this is such a fun and easy idea! You didn’t suggest ways to finish the ends though. Do you just tie them together?

    11.21.10
    Reply
  49. erica wrote:

    you’ve got it! if you click on the word “trim” in the last paragraph, you’ll see that we just knotted the ends.

    11.21.10
    Reply
  50. Jane wrote:

    Your Friendship Necklace is an awesome inspiration! Many thanks for sharing. I would like to feature it at http://www.handmade-jewelry-club.com/

    Contact me here if you have a concern.

    Jane
    http://diylessons.org/

    12.6.10
    Reply
  51. Jayme wrote:

    These are fantastic! I actually had been trying to remember how we used to make these when I was a kid, b/c I’m about to get married and I thought something like this would make a really adorable personalized wedding favor. Thanks for jogging my memory with this tutorial! Whats great is my much younger soon to be sister in law isn’t old enough to remember the big trend that these were, so its something she can share with her friends and feel a little bit ‘schooled’ on retro teen trends.

    12.9.10
    Reply
  52. Dori wrote:

    I love it!!!!!

    12.12.10
    Reply
  53. amg wrote:

    THis is so fantastic!!! VEry beaUTIful …….

    1.6.11
    Reply
  54. This is fantastic…I love it so much, I will have a go at making these for sure!!
    All your DIY projects are so good and really inspirational. I also do a few DIY projects on my blog about global fashion and have just done one called Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining. Feel free to check it out and follow if you like it!!

    1.9.11
    Reply
  55. Rachel wrote:

    Cute. I love these little hair wraps, they are very colorful & pretty.

    1.16.11
    Reply
  56. Victoria wrote:

    Love this! I want to make a chandelier out of them:)

    1.24.11
    Reply
  57. Chickey wrote:

    I loved this DIY and made some for myself and friends. I changed it up and used it as a wrap bracelet. Check out my blog and let me know what you think!! I’ll definitely be making more in the future, really great idea.

    Chickeydesigns.blogspot.com/2011/01/diy-project-wrap-bracelet

    xox Chickey

    1.31.11
    Reply
  58. Libelle wrote:

    i love this DIY.

    http://libelle-lfl.blogspot.com/

    Love Libelle

    2.4.11
    Reply
  59. Rose wrote:

    This is fantastic! I’ve been wanting to make something like this for a while. Great tutorial.

    2.7.11
    Reply
  60. This completely inspired my decision to wrap a boring plant pot in twine and hardware:
    http://constitutionallymoderndiy.tumblr.com/post/3330575488/wrapped-in-hardware-plant-pot

    Great necklaces!!

    2.23.11
    Reply
  61. sarah wrote:

    this was such a perfectly easy way to get a creative fix during one of my last quarters of classes in my doctoral program! thank you!! I made several and hooked them all together into one necklace with a cap bead that I used as a crimp-clasp: check it out if you want!

    http://pacificrain.blogspot.com/2011/02/bit-of-flare.html

    now to get some girlfriends together and try that proenza schouler necklace next! When I stumbled upon some leopard-print cotton cording at my local fabric store, I knew I had to buy some and save it for this next DIY!

    2.27.11
    Reply
  62. sofia wrote:

    What should I do if I want more than 3 colors?
    Also, it is just one rope or several ropes tied together?

    3.28.11
    Reply
  63. This would be a wonderful project for my kids this summer. Thanks for this ๐Ÿ˜€

    3.29.11
    Reply
  64. Marina wrote:

    whoa, im going to make a million of these!

    4.3.11
    Reply
  65. With all the doggone snow we have gotten recently I am stuck indoors, fortunately there is the internet, thanks for giving me something to do. ๐Ÿ™‚

    4.20.11
    Reply
  66. Bryer wrote:

    Great tutorial. I am addicted to making these now.

    5.9.11
    Reply
  67. hannah wrote:

    Omg these are lush…id love to buy them tho ha im not that creative ๐Ÿ™

    5.13.11
    Reply
  68. Wow, these necklaces rock! The tutorial is very detailed and easy to follow, I think I can do it and make one for myself, thanks a lot for this wonderful idea.

    5.23.11
    Reply
  69. georgia wrote:

    i just made one!!! but it took forever. they look good layered! these are similar to the Seventeen Magazine cover of August 2010 with Rihanna

    6.18.11
    Reply
  70. Pinky Tan wrote:

    I love these necklaces!.. hopefully they dont go out of style ๐Ÿ™‚

    7.5.11
    Reply
  71. Ethan Eby wrote:

    What is the official name of that style bracelet anyway?… It’s nearly impossible to find online because no one knows the name.

    7.11.11
    Reply
  72. florencia wrote:

    muuy bueno me encanto ๐Ÿ™‚

    7.13.11
    Reply
  73. Irini wrote:

    Thank you!!! I was looking for these many years!
    Thank youuuuuuuuu!!

    7.18.11
    Reply
  74. Delphine wrote:

    I’m totally addicted to your site…WAOUW WAOUW WAOUW!!!!!! Another great tuto! BUT pleaaaaaaaaase, can you dedicate a tuto to the wonderful pompom bracelet from Honorine jewels? http://www.shoplatitude.com/red-pompom-bracelet.html
    They are so trendy and wonderful, perfect for this summer and I’m sure not very complicated to do (for you of course, for me….it’s another story!)
    THANKS THANKS and see you soon, YEAH!

    7.28.11
    Reply
  75. regina wrote:

    unfortunately i cant see the last image…=(

    8.3.11
    Reply
  76. I love the post! I tried it my self and it turned out pretty good! I also used your tutorial in my blog and linked back to you! You have great ideas and tutorials!!!

    8.4.11
    Reply
  77. Sara wrote:

    Hi there!

    Those are adorable!! Im busy doing them and I posted about tthem in my blog and linked back to you!

    Check it out! http://shabbytricks.blogspot.com/

    Thanks

    8.29.11
    Reply
  78. Shianaah wrote:

    i was looking for something different then the usual friendship bracelets and this is perfect thx ๐Ÿ™‚

    9.1.11
    Reply
  79. jaimie wrote:

    first time on this blog.. and im in love <3 making them as we speak!!!!!

    9.1.11
    Reply
  80. Meli wrote:

    These would also be amazing with variegated thread – saves you having two pieces of floss, and the colour changing could be more gentle(?) depending on the type used.

    I can’t wait to make some, thanks! ๐Ÿ˜€

    9.8.11
    Reply
  81. Anna wrote:

    Love that you read a Canadian Fashion mag. Love the blog, just made the Bracelet with the bolts but need to know how to fasten the ends!!!!

    9.10.11
    Reply
  82. Chadwick wrote:

    I like this blog and have saved it. I’m going to turn to examine in particulars on my trip

    9.12.11
    Reply
  83. Hannah wrote:

    Love it!

    9.13.11
    Reply
  84. K wrote:

    I’m working on one right now–it will be a very long piece of rope that I’ll treat as an infinity necklace. We’ll see how it goes! Going to try some bracelets in that same style as well. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Thanks so much for sharing– your site has been an awesome source of inspiration lately!

    9.16.11
    Reply
  85. Kolbey wrote:

    These are so awesome, ive got to do this! And i just got a whole bunch of embroidery thread =D

    9.19.11
    Reply
  86. Anna wrote:

    That’s a very nice editorial. I can see why you got inspired. ๐Ÿ™‚

    9.28.11
    Reply
  87. I love these…they’re beautiful. Thanks for the tutorial. ๐Ÿ™‚

    10.10.11
    Reply
  88. Victoria squires wrote:

    hey ladies, I thank yhu for the web post and this was really helpful to me so thanx. Cant wait to hear from yhu. Bye.

    12.5.11
    Reply
  89. m wrote:

    i love your projects! thank you!

    1.19.12
    Reply
  90. EIRA CORNELIA wrote:
    1.31.12
    Reply
  91. Readlikeabook wrote:

    Hey guys,

    Thanks so much for sharing– I worked on one in October and the technique was so doable!

    While browsing the web today, I noticed that some of *your* pictures were posted without credit here: http://www.how-to-make-jewelry.com/friendship-necklace.html

    Thought you might like to know– I apologize if you’re aware of this and are collaborating!

    K

    2.12.12
    Reply
  92. vina wrote:

    made some bracelets but i have not thought of a necklace! now i am gonna make it for sure!!! check my blog if you like! http://acloudandamoon.blogspot.com/

    3.24.12
    Reply
  93. Leeyah D wrote:

    I will attempting this very soon!!

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/DivaClubChic

    3.27.12
    Reply
  94. mel wrote:

    wow! i’ve always wondered how to make some of the bracelets you diy i didn’t know they where so easy.. making one now:)

    4.1.12
    Reply
  95. bea wrote:

    easy, fun and very chic! <3

    4.13.12
    Reply
  96. Sara wrote:

    you have such great lovely ideas. you will be one of my favorite site

    5.9.12
    Reply
  97. Liz wrote:

    My favorite dyi ๐Ÿ™‚

    6.24.12
    Reply
  98. aden wrote:

    thats kind of like a tramp why wold you want to make that TRAMPS!!

    7.6.12
    Reply
  99. Marcia wrote:

    I love it , where I by this??? Pleaseee
    I whant so much!

    7.14.12
    Reply
  100. Christine wrote:

    How to you string those beads into the necklace like ones in the photo? This is such an awesome tutorial, looking forward to trying it out!!!!!!

    8.2.12
    Reply
  101. Nana wrote:

    So colorful bracelets, I want to braid one for myself now.

    8.2.12
    Reply
  102. erly wrote:

    might be a stupid question.. but where in NY can i purchase cotton rope?

    8.4.12
    Reply
  103. Pam wrote:

    HOW DO YOU FINISH THEM? A square knot seems like it would be BIG and not very attractive… how do you hide, glue or whatever the ends???? Thanxs

    8.12.12
    Reply
  104. Heather wrote:

    Love this! I used to make these when I was a kid but nothing quite so elaborate; must do this again! Thanks: )

    9.1.12
    Reply
  105. Love these! I keep meaning to give one (or 2 or 3!) a go :o) Thanks!

    9.9.12
    Reply
  106. Chung Alea wrote:

    I really love hair braids because they look very elegant and classic. I used to do some herringbone hair braids a couple of months ago. ,;::.

    My favorite blog
    http://www.prettygoddess.com

    10.6.12
    Reply
  107. aryan wrote:

    Dude, right on there brother.

    10.28.12
    Reply
  108. Caroline wrote:

    How are the fastened? Clasps???? A knot? Please let me know!

    12.2.12
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      @Caroline They are fastened with a double knot.

      12.2.12
  109. Markwell wrote:

    Great idea, never heard about friendship bracelets.

    Check my blog on bracelets out!

    12.22.12
    Reply
  110. Noemie wrote:

    I used to do that in my little sister’s hair! Instead of the cotton rope, I’d use a strand of her hair. It was really pretty.

    1.29.13
    Reply
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  112. Tobi Lappa wrote:

    A braid (also called plait) is a complex structure or pattern formed by intertwining three or more strands of flexible material such as textile fibres, wire, or human hair. Compared to the process of weaving a wide sheet of cloth from two separate, perpendicular groups of strands (warp and weft), a braid is usually long and narrow, with each component strand functionally equivalent in zigzagging forward through the overlapping mass of the others.”

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    3.30.13
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  113. dena wrote:

    Thanks so much! Most importantly, thank you for sharing links for where to purchase the materials!
    http://www.daobella.com

    5.22.13
    Reply
  114. saeed wrote:

    gerat tutorial
    thnx

    6.29.13
    Reply
  115. kiikx wrote:

    love love love! Love being inspired like this, so perfect for those lazy days with your girls on the beach x.

    7.30.13
    Reply
  116. Arezoo wrote:

    it`s so beautiful and easy. thank you

    8.2.13
    Reply
  117. alex wrote:

    great diy,i likd this idea,i want to make one by my self,thank you

    11.10.13
    Reply
  118. sasha wrote:

    that is an awesome necklace

    11.10.13
    Reply
  119. Anna wrote:

    I didn’t have cotton cord, so I’m making a tiny bracelet by wrapping around hemp, and it’s turning out!

    I love your tutorials–I’ve seen so many and they’re all, honestly, amazing!

    2.3.14
    Reply
  120. Anna wrote:

    I didn’t have cotton cord, so I’m making a tiny necklace by wrapping around hemp, and it’s turning out so far!

    I love your tutorials–I’ve seen so many and they’re all, honestly, amazing!

    2.8.14
    Reply
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  123. Christine wrote:

    Thanks for this — it’s a classic! Instead of knotting, I glued sterling end caps on two lengths of cord, then added a few inches of silver chain to each end cap and gathered the chains in a toggle fastener. Easy, not too expensive, and it gives a more finished look.

    7.22.16
    Reply
  124. Nakkase wrote:

    great diy. Thanks so much! Most importantly, thank you for sharing links for where to purchase the materials! My jewellery blog and e-commerce Nakkase. http://nakkase.com

    12.28.16
    Reply
  125. kristi wrote:

    My daughter makes something like this that she weaves around earbuds. It helps keep them from tangling and your know which one is yours! I have 3 teenagers, so it is nice for us. Thanks for the updated ideas!

    6.21.17
    Reply
  126. Great necklaces. I’ll try to do one for myself

    9.21.17
    Reply
  127. kabbik28 wrote:

    Ideally you described it all, as I thought!
    http://www.mayfair-escorts.net

    10.24.17
    Reply
  128. bici wrote:

    amazing… I have to try. thanks!,

    1.4.18
    Reply
  129. Angelina de la Fuente wrote:

    Theyโ€™re gorgeous and loves those colours combinations. Thank you for sharing.

    7.5.18
    Reply
  130. Jill Krahling wrote:

    I have no problem with it

    9.4.18
    Reply
  131. Loved all. I think I missed how to make these. Step by step. What kind of string did you use to make this and what size is the thread used. Thank you.

    10.4.18
    Reply
  132. Susana wrote:

    I’m from Argentina, I like this one, is more creative!!

    10.23.18
    Reply
  133. Nicole Penjean wrote:

    Te pasaste, precioso tu trabajo

    3.10.21
    Reply
  134. Shug wrote:

    These friendship bracelets are a whole new kick ass level!! Love em!!!!

    6.2.21
    Reply
  135. Joyce Cohen wrote:

    Please do not sell my email to any other vendors… Thank you

    8.8.21
    Reply