Pac-Man Bracelet How-to

Friendship bracelet making is so much fun. My only regret is that I didn't discover this absorbing craft until I was already an adult. haha.

Okay, so this pattern is the most difficult I've done so far, but it was SO WORTH IT and I think it turned out pretty well! However, if you are just starting out, I suggest you try a little less complicated design, such as the traditional diagonal or chevron ones. This post is mainly going to just be showing you what I did to get this bracelet, but if it inspires you to try the craft out for yourself, that would be totally awesome! The more, the merrier, they say, right? :D

I found my Pac-Man pattern chart on Pinterest. If you want to really get into this, I seriously recommend checking out what is available on that site! <3 I have a whole board full of friendship bracelet designs I've saved to do sometime.

(p.s. I apologize for the bad lighting. I usually did this project after work... like 10-12 at night...)

So, some "basics" notes:

 

Every dot of the pattern on the chart is a double knot. You make the double knots with two right knots, two left knots, or one of each, as your design calls for.

TIP: Make sure you keep the string that you are knotting AROUND taut -- if you leave it too loose while you tighten the knot, you may end up reversing the color of the knot (totally not speaking from experience, of course, lol). In the pictures below, the yellow string is being knotted around the black one; you'll want to keep the string there as straight as possible -- without yanking the whole project free of whatever you're using to hold/clip it down. XD

"right knot" (looks kind of like a 4)

"left knot" (looks kind of like a backward 4)

Things you will need:

 

Scissors, something to hold your project (a clip board works fabulously for this), different colors of braiding string (I also use embroidery thread -- works pretty well!), and two hands. XD

Step 1: Measure your string and cut it.

Check your pattern to see how many of each of the colors you will need to cut. Always err on the side of too much when deciding how long to make the strings. I can't tell you how many times I've been saddened by an almost-complete bracelet that ran out of road, haha!

The length I cut for this bracelet was about 3'8", but I had a few inches left over when I was done.

Step 2: Get started.

I ran out of black in the type of string I was cutting for the project, so I used a piece of embroidery thread -- see how it's kind of strandy?

Once you have all of your strings together, tie the ends in an overhand knot. If you'd like to make my favorite slidy-closure (explained near the end of this post), tie another overhand knot about 2" below the first one. (My knotting board thing here has inches marked along the side, and I never even noticed before this project, haha!)

Clip, or otherwise secure, your knotted end to your work surface, and separate your strands according to your chosen pattern.

Step 3: Start knotting!

In the beginning, it's extra important to be patient and keep track of where your strings are, because all the newly-made knots like to clump together toward the last big overhand knot you made. Go slowly, and check with your pattern to make the first few rows.

see how it's kind of bunching, up toward the clip?

but then it gets straighter

what fun!

(Don't worry if your knots don't "dance" [as my sister referred once to even, pretty knots] at first -- believe me, my first few projects were NOT pretty, but as you get the hang of keeping the tension and stuff, you WILL get better! :D)

Step 4: Keep going!

 

Once your first rows stop bunching, it will be much easier to see where you are as you work your way down. As you get further along, check the length of the finished part of the bracelet against your wrist to make sure you do not make the bracelet too big. You will want to leave a little extra room for more overhand knots and your slidy-closure -- I left about an inch of space with mine.

Step 5: Finish the pattern!

You should be able to kind of gauge when you want to stop double-knotting your pattern. After the last row, take the bracelet off your work surface and tie off the bottom with an overhand knot. For the slidy-closure, tie another overhand knot 2" below it, like you did when you started.

Step 6: Make a slidy-closure (optional)

I love how this type of closure makes the bracelet adjustable, and so easy to take on and off. (I can't wear bracelets at work)

You will want to line up the two ends of your bracelet like so:

Take another length of the same type of string you used for your project. You won't need more than a foot, and you can usually just use an leftover piece from when you cut the ends of the strings when you were done knotting. You will want to loop this string around the back of both ends as shown:

Then you do a little bit of cobra knotting.  I did about four sets of these knots, but you can do more or less if you want.

this is a two-part knot, also -- first part

and the second goes the opposite direction

When you're done cobra knotting, pull both ends of that string together and tie an overhand knot. I usually like to make my knot off to the side, because I think it looks neater, but you can pretty much knot it wherever you want to. Once you're sure this is secure, you can cut the string.

AND YOU'RE DONE!

 

 

You have a fabulous new accessory that you made all by yourself. I am personally addicted to this craft. If you get carried away and make more bracelets than you could ever wear, I hope you have as generous and appreciative siblings or friends as I do, whom you can make presents of the bracelets to. Haha! XD (Boys can wear them, too!)(AND MAKE THEM)

Well, I hope that was fun to read at least! It was kind of fun to write. :) I love converting people to my favorite crafts when I can, haha!

If you have any questions, please let me know! I am not online here more than once a week usually, so check back for answers after a while. :)

I hope you will try this kind of bracelet-making if you never have before, or that you will try it again if you have in the past! It's so much fun, and I'd absolutely love to see your creations!