How to Make Eras-Style Friendship Bracelets — Because This Trend Isn't Going Anywhere

Published on 10/16/2023 at 1:25 PM

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Friendship bracelets are back and, dare we say, better than ever. Taylor Swift started a lot of trends with the Eras Tour, and while it may be over (at least for now — there are also 2024 dates and the new Eras concert film), the friendship bracelet trend she near-singlehandedly started has staying power.

I made friendship bracelets for the first time since my summer camp days in preparation for the Eras Tour, and my group of friends were surprised at how much we loved the experience. Friendship bracelets are a super-simple, approachable craft that anyone can enjoy making. You get to express your creativity with patterns and colors without needing to learn a new skill or pick up any fancy equipment (hi, crochet hooks collecting dust in my closet). They're completely customizable, and making them is a great way to bond with your friends. While my Eras Tour friendship bracelets may be the first I've made in a while, they certainly won't be the last.

Friendship-bracelet making is a perfect night-in activity, whether solo or with friends: it's a great way to disconnect, be mindful, and do something with your hands, instead of on a screen. They're also incredibly affordable — especially when you compare a night in making friendship bracelets to other activities like splurgy dinners or getting drinks. Most of us are reverting to teenagehood, anyway . . . why not lean in and join the fun?

Once you gather your supplies, it only takes a few simple steps to have a custom bracelet done and ready to wear. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to make friendship bracelets with beads.

Gather your friendship bracelet supplies.

I bought these Acrylic Alphabet Letter Beads ($7) — which I love because they come with heart beads and letters — and these Bala&Fillic Seed Beads ($11) in the Crayon colorway. The seed beads come with elastic jewelry cord, which is perfect for making friendship bracelets as it's strong and secure but stretchy, so they're easy to take on and off. You can buy elastic jewelry cord ($16, originally $20) separately if you already have beads. You can also buy a full friendship-bracelet-making kit ($10) with different beads and jewelry cord colors.

Acrylic Alphabet Letter Beads Gold On White

From

Bala&Fillic Size 3mm Seed Beads

From

$11

Stretch Magic Bead & Jewelry Cord

From

$16

$20 Now 20% off

Dowsabel Bracelet Making Kit

From

$10

Cut a length of cord, and tie a knot at the end.

To start, make a loose loop around your wrist with the elastic cord. Add about two extra inches, and then cut the cord to about that size. (Be generous: having extra on the ends will make it easier to tie and cut at the end.) Once you have a cut length of cord, tie a knot at one end to keep the beads in place.

Choose your pattern.

Next, choose your pattern. You can make a bracelet with a single color, multiple colors, a repeating pattern, or a totally random set of beads; it's completely up to you! Once you have about half the bracelet beaded, stop the pattern so you can add the letters.

Pick out your letters.

This is the fun part: choose what you want your bracelet to say, then thread those beads onto the cord. You can do your best friends' names, inside jokes, motivational sayings, Swiftie references, acronyms, and more.

I recommend laying the letter beads out flat on a plate so that it's easier to find the letters you need. Any flat surface works — as long as it has raised edges so the beads can't roll away.

Thread the letters onto the string.

Once you have your beads picked out, make sure you add them in the correct order. Most letter beads have the letters flipped on the opposite side, so you never have to worry about the letters looking upside down. If you'd like, you can also play with putting colored beads in between the letters.

Finish the pattern.

Once you add the lettered beads, finish the pattern. You can continue it or do a mirrored version like I did here. When you're done, tie a knot at the other end to secure the letters, and then tie the bracelet into a loop. Be sure to pull the knot tight.

Make more friendship bracelets in other patterns.

Here are a few more beaded friendship-bracelet pattern ideas, including color combinations, stripes, and gradients. Don't be afraid to play around and get creative — after all, the more the bracelets, the merrier.

Enjoy your new friendship bracelets!

Once your bracelets are done, it's time to swap, share, and enjoy the memories and jewelry you've made. Now that you have all the supplies and know how to make one, your next friendship bracelet is just a few minutes away.