It’s definitely time for summer camp in all areas of the U.S. so I’ve decided to dedicate this week’s activity to summer camp bracelets. This way you can bring some of the camp experience to kids who can’t go to camp. And believe it or not, boys often get into this as much as girls, just have an area of color choices (they really like making them with the colors of their favorite sports team!) I’m hoping to do multiple bracelet tutorials but to start off, I’m going to teach a very simple one.
I personally love making bracelets, there’s something soothing about tying the knots, fairly similar to knitting, crocheting, sewing, and so forth. What’s cool about bracelets is that they don’t take up much room, so you can stick it in your pocket and bring it out whenever you want to do it, no tools needed (once it’s started that is, you do need scissors to cut the string first!) In a way it’s almost like meditation for some, and others make a wish on their bracelet as they create it with the thought that after it falls off a wrist or ankle, the wish comes true.
Because of the way this blog is formatted, I had to put the pictures last, so here is the “recipe” for the activity, and then the step-by-step instructions!
Spiral Friendship Bracelet Activity Notes
Age Group: 7 and up
Materials Needed: Different colored floss or string, tape, and scissors
Goals:
To allow a creative outlet
To start and finish a project
Therapeutic Value:
Achieve a feeling of accomplishment
Creativity
Meditation
Please note that this is a very basic spiral bracelet and you can do many different variations. I will show the basic knot and then give a few different ways to change it up a bit. The first knot is sometimes called a “forward knot” just in case you’re curious. The second knot to reverse the spiral is the forward knot but facing the other direction.
Step 1: Pick 2 colors of string. I used brown and silver embroidery floss.
Step 2: Divide the two strings in half in the middle
Step 3: Tie a knot in the middle leaving a loop.
Step 4: Tape the loop down to a sturdy surface.
Step 5: Make a number 4 with the brown floss creating an angle
Step 6: Keeping the 4 shape, cross the brown floss under the silver
Step 7: Cross the brown back over the silver floss again
Step 8: Hold silver floss still while pulling brown floss taut
Step 9: Pull knot tight so brown floss is visible, but not silver
Step 10: Continue repeating steps 5 through 9 until desired length
If you want to switch colors, follow the next few steps.
Step 11: If you want to switch colors, switch floss, with silver on top now
Step 12: Cross the silver floss under and over the brown
Step 13: Slowly pull on the silver floss, keeping brown still
Step 14: Pull the two colors taut, and return to step 11
If you want to reverse the spiral, switch the direction of the 4
Loop silver floss under and over the brown floss
Pull silver and brown floss taut with silver facing up
After tightening floss, note the way the knot is now facing
Here’s a picture of the finished product! Try it out and let me know how it works!
A Little Playfullness 