friendship bracelets: totem pole

Totem Pole

BEFORE YOU BEGIN know how to make a Right Hand Double Knot and a Left Hand Double Knot.

1. Pick 4 different colors for this pattern. This instruction uses dark purple, orange, green & light blue.

2. Align string, fold in half, and tie knot 1/2 from fold forming a loop.

3. Attach your string to something using a safety pin or attach to a clipboard.

4. Separate strings from 1 to 8. Use the same color for strings 1 & 8 (dark purple), 2 & 7 (orange), 3 & 6 (green)* and 4 & 5 (light blue). This will align the colors of your bracelet pattern. *If you choose to use other colors than those listed above, whatever color you choose to use as strings 3 & 6 will not be one of your main open diamond shapes.

5. To start, you will need to make 4 single Arrows (see Arrow Pattern for instructions). One with each of your 4 colors in order (dark purple, orange, green & light blue).

6. Now make an Arrow with string #1 (dark purple). This will be the start of your open diamond shape in your Totem Pole pattern.

7. Next you will use string #1 (orange) and make 2 right hand double knots. One each, on string #2 (green) and one on string #3 (light blue). String #1 (orange) will now become string #3.

8. With your new string #1 (green) make a right hand double knot with string #2 (light blue). String #1 (green) should now become string #2.

9. Take string #3 (orange) and make 2 left hand double knots. One each, on string #2 (green) and one on string #1 (light blue). String #3 (orange) should now become string #1.

10. With string #4 (dark purple) make 3 left hand double knots. One each, on string #3 (green), string #2 (light blue) and string #1 (orange). String #4 (dark purple) should now become string #1.

11. Now take string #8 (orange) and make 2 left hand double knots. One each, on string #7 (green) and one on string #6 (light blue). String #8 (orange) should now become string #6.

12. With your new #8 (green) make a left hand double knot with string #7 (light blue). String #8 (green) should now become string #7.

13. Next take string #6 (orange) and make 2 right hand double knots. One each, on string #7 (green) and one on string #8 (light blue). String #7 (orange) should now become string #8.

14. Take strand #5 (dark purple) and make 3 right hand double knots. One each, on string #6 (green), string #7 (light blue) and string #8(orange). String #5 (dark purple) will now become string #8.

15. Now we will close the opening in the center of your bracelet. You will want to make the next knots a bit loose to keep the open diamond shape of your Totem Pole. Take string #1 (dark purple) and make 3 right hand double knots. One each, on string #2 (orange), string #3 (light blue) & string #4 (green). Your dark purple string should now be string #4.

16. Next you will take string #8 (dark purple) and make 3 left hand double knots. One each, on string #7 (orange), string #6 (light blue) & string #5 (green). Your dark purple string should now be string #5.

17. Now take strings #4 & #5 (both dark purple) and join them in the center with a right hand double knot. You now should have a complete open diamond shape.

18. Now make an Arrow with string #1 (orange) to start your next open diamond shape in your Totem Pole pattern.

19. Next you will use string #1 (light blue) and make 2 right hand double knots. One each, on string #2 (green) and one on string #3 (dark purple). String #1 (light blue) will now become string #3.

20. With your new string #1 (green) make a right hand double knot with string #2 (dark purple). String #1 (green) should now become string #2.

21. Take string #3 (light blue) and make 2 left hand double knots. One each, on string #2 (green) and one on string #1 (dark purple). String #3 (light blue) should now become string #1.

22. With string #4 (orange) make 3 left hand double knots. One each, on strings #3 (green), string #2 (dark purple) and string #1 (light blue). String #4 (orange) should now become string #1.

23. Now take string #8 (light blue) and make 2 left hand double knots. One each, on string #7 (green) and one on string #6 (dark purple). String #8 (light blue) should now become string #6.

24. With your new #8 (green) make a left hand double knot with string #7 (dark purple). String #8 (green) should now become string #7.

25. Next take string #6 (light blue) and make 2 right hand double knots. One each, on string #7 (green) and one on string #8 (dark purple). String #6 (light blue) should now become string #8.

26. Take string #5 (orange) and make 3 right hand double knots. One each, on string #6 (green), string #7 (dark purple) and string #8 (light blue). String #5 (orange) will now become string #8.

27. Now we will close the opening in the center of your bracelet. Remember to make the next knots a bit loose to keep the open diamond shape of your Totem Pole. Take string #1 (orange) and make 3 right hand double knots. One each, on strings #2 (light blue), #3 (dark purple) & #4 (green). Your orange string should now be string #4.

28. Next you will take string #8 (orange) and make 3 left hand double knots. One each, on string #7 (light blue), string #6 (dark purple) & string #5 (green). Your orange string should now be string #5.

29. Now take strings #4 & #5 (both orange) and join them in the center with a right hand double knot. Another open diamond shape should be complete.

30. Now make an Arrow with string #1 (light blue). This will be the start of your open diamond shape in your Totem Pole pattern.

31. Next you will use string #1 (dark purple) and make 2 right hand double knots. One each, on string #2 (green) and one on string #3 (orange). String #1 (dark purple) will now become string #3.

32. With your new string #1 (green) make a right hand double knot with string #2 (orange). String #1 (green) should now become string #2.

33. Take string #3 (dark purple) and make 2 left hand double knots. One each, on string #2 (green) and one on string #1 (orange). String #3 (dark purple) should now become string #1.

34. With string #4 (light blue) make 3 left hand double knots. One each, on strings #3 (green), string #2 (orange) and string #1 (dark purple). String #4 (light blue) should now become string #1.

35. Now take string #8 (dark purple) and make 2 left hand double knots. One each, on string #7 (green) and one on string #6 (orange). String #8 (dark purple) should now become string #6.

36. With your new #8 (green) make a left hand double knot with string #7 (orange). String #8 (green) should now become string #7.

37. Next take string #6 (dark purple) and make 2 right hand double knots. One each, on string #7 (green) and one on string #8 (orange). String #7 (dark purple) should now become string #8.

38. Take string #5 (light blue) and make 3 right hand double knots. One each, on string #6 (green), string #7 (orange) and string #8 (dark purple). String #5 (light blue) will now become string #8.

39. Now we will close the opening in the center of your bracelet. Again, remember to make the next knots a bit loose to keep the open diamond shape of your Totem Pole. Take string #1 (light blue) and make 3 right hand double knots. One each, on string #2 (dark purple), string #3 (orange) & string #4 (green). Your light blue string should become string #4.

40. Next you will take string #8 (light blue) and make 3 left hand double knots. One each, on string #7 (dark purple), string #6 (orange) & string #5 (green). Your light blue string should become string #5.

41. Now take strings #4 & #5 (both light blue) and join them in the center with a right hand double knot. Another open diamond shape should be complete.

42. Repeat steps 6 through 41 to continue your pattern. The open diamonds will alternate dark purple, orange and light blue over and over until you have made enough of them for the bracelet to fit your wrist. Remember you can stop your pattern after any color open diamond shape is complete.

43. Once you bracelet is long enough to fit your wrist you can make a few arrows at the end of your bracelet just like you did in the beginning. Then hold strings 1 - 3 with your left hand and strings 6 - 8 with your right hand. Braid the strings from your left hand and right hand with the remaining two center strings.

44. Take the braided strings and tie two basic knots at the end of your friendship bracelet.

45. Unpin or unclip your friendship bracelet and cut off the excess braided section. Your friendship bracelet is ready to wear or share with your best friend or mom.