Today’s DIY project is inspired by one of my favorite things to do to my hair in the summer – the fishtail braid. (The Beauty Department has an easy tutorial and A Cup of Jo has a fun twist on it – check them out.) The end result is snazzier than a classic braid, but considerably easier to make than a classic knotted friendship bracelet, with the same chevron pattern. My personal favorite is to use a bunch of similar shades for an ombre effect, but you can really do anything… get creative!
{All you need for this project is some embroidery floss. Also, the tiny delicate bracelet is a new fave from gorjana.}
1. Organize your thread. You’ll need three forty inch strands of floss, in 5 colors (15 total strands.) // 2. Fold bundle of floss in half, and carefully knot at the top, forming a loop. You’ll want your loop to be large enough later to wrap the ends through to tie it on to your wrist. // 3. Sort your thread. On each side, there should be three strands of each of your five colors. Keep each color together. // 4. Begin the bracelet by criss-crossing the first color (bundle of three strands,) over to the opposite side.
The rest of the steps, after the break.
5. Continue the bracelet by crossing the same color over from the opposite side. // 6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 with your next color. Note – it won’t look very pretty at first. // 7. Continue to repeat steps 4 and 5 with every color, keeping the floss tight and organized. // 8. A really beautiful chevron pattern will emerge!
9. Continue to braid until you reach your desired length. // 10. Stop braiding. (Is this even really a step?) // 11. Tie a knot. // 12. Leaving about 3 inches of floss, trim the ends. You’re all done!
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Simple and easy to do, but makes a big impact! A great DIY as usual!
thank you!!
I think telling people to stop braiding is a step. You can never underestimate the intelligence of the public.
my thoughts exactly
Totally simple and realistic to do. Must buy embroidery floss. PS: you would have been so proud of me yesterday. Went to Michael’s and I walked out with THREE DIY projects I want to accomplish. YAY!
I am so, so proud! Can’t wait to see what you whip up!
This looks much easier than attempting a fish tail braid on my head. The perfect splash of color!
it’s so easy! But I know you could do it on your head, too!! Just read TBD’s tutorial – they make it really simple.
Friendship bracelets scream summer to me! I love the fishtail, too!
tortoiseinthesun.blogspot.com
thanks, kelsey! sooo fun + summery!!
Ill practice making these, so I can finally fishbraid my own hair!
http://www.KatharsisKulture.com
great idea! you can do it!!
I just love this so much
I have always been so uncoordinated with any kind of braid…especially the fishtail. But these are just too cute…I may have to give it a shot! XO brynn
thanks, Brynn! I really hope you try it – seriously, very easy… you can do it!!
love love LOVE this! =)
xo,
nancy
thank you, Nancy!! xo
Love this, Grace! It was so wonderful meeting you this weekend- your DIYs and blog in general is so impressive. I’m definitely going to make the rope necklace!
Thank you, Clara! I am loving your blog, too! It was so great to meet you on Saturday!!
LOVE THESE!!!!
thank you so much!
These are so cute! I remember making ones similar to them at camp when I was younger
katiesbliss.com
Thanks, Katie! I hope you make some this summer!!
Super cute and bright! Love love!
Thanks Alex!
I can’t get enough friendship bracelets this summer. Oh, and thank you times a million for sharing where your tiny bracelet is from…it’s adorable!! xx
Me either! And you are welcome. Gorjana has so many pretty little bracelets – love them!
you are too clever! Love these. xoxo
aw, thanks lady! xox
I really love this becuase all the other interesting bracelets like the chevron take forever because you have to loop around each individual strand but with this you can get a pretty thick braclet with a cool design with multiple colors easily and quickly!
Thanks Greta, I feel exactly the same way!!
Ooh these are so cute! Love this DIY! (:
noragsformags.blogspot.com
thank you!!
Just made this and it came out perfectly!! So incredibly easy. You don’t even have to know how to do the fishtail to hair to be able to do this. I make chevrons all the time but they take soooo long to make, this a great and quick alternative.
I am so happy to hear that! Would love to see a pic!
Love this trendy twist on a summer classic!
I’m so happy you like it, Tara! Hope you give the project a try.
Made this today and it came out great
Yay! Would love for you to email me a pic… (stripesandsequins@gmail.com,) I will post it to the S+S Facebook page! xx
ok this may sound like a silly question but at the end to put it on your wrist – are you just putting the end knot inside the loop to secure it closed?
Hi Kim! I put half of the strands through the loop and then left half outside of the loop. From there, I just tie a knot! Hope that helps.
how do you tie at the end?
For these, I just knotted them. But you could finish by tying ‘em in two braids.
This is so perfect! I love the pattern and the simplicity; no complicated pattern. Just wish I could do this with my hair, but that’s a whole other story..
gizmoandyoshi.blogspot.com
love it so much
Oh my Gosh! This is so beautiful friendship BRACELET! And this is easy to do I think… Gotta make this one and give it to my friends!.. nice job… LOVE It! …. do more diy bracelets, necklaces, and etc.
Beautiful! SImple and very nicely made!
Check my blog here!
I just found this DIY bracelet tutorial and it looks awesome! Some of the pictures aren’t loading though and I’m not managing well with the written instructions alone, unfortunately
I’ll keep trying but hopefully the pictures will come back someday?
omg! I just became a fan of your DIY website. ahaha, I know that this was posted almost a year ago, but I just wanted to thank you! I can say I’m obsessed x
i like your silly question