DIY: How to make a friendship bracelet

Cut one 140-inch length of the main color of embroidery floss. Fold it in half so that the strand is doubled, then make a loop in the center. Place the loop on a table and tape it down across the circle, leaving the two long strings free.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Cut six 70-inch lengths of embroidery floss, two of the main color, one of a secondary color, and three of the other secondary color. One at a time, take each length of floss and double it, taking the loop end and threading it through the lower edge of the loop of the main color so that the top is anchored and the two threads hang down.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Pull the knot tight.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Repeat this with all threads, so that you have eight (including the ends of the loop) double threads hanging down. Adjust the loop so that it fits the button.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Taking the double thread (now called a strand) that is the second from the right, use it to tie a double knot around the strand on the far right.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Tie each strand in a double knot around the strand immediately to the right of it (working all the way across). As you work your way left, the knots will accumulate, forming a little triangle. It’s important to tie the knots tightly, particularly in the beginning, as you’re making a platform for the stripes that will follow.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Continue taking each strand on the left and knotting across to the right. Continue until the bracelet is the size of your wrist (or ankle). When it’s the desired length, take the strand on the left and tie knots only halfway across the width of the bracelet (across four strands) and stop. Then take what is now the farthest left strand and knot only two strands and stop. (You’re creating a square end to the bracelet.)  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Using center strands, tie a button to the end of the bracelet.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Pull the loose ends of the strands together and tie them off into two knots on each side of the button. Trim the ends to form little tassels.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

The finished bracelet is inspired by jewelry designer Scosha Woolridge and J.Crew. The former pieces retail for $270 and up, the latter start at $150.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)