Friendship bracelet
A friendship bracelet is a bracelet given by one person to another as a symbol of friendship. Friendship bracelets are often handmade, usually of embroidery floss or thread. There are various styles and patterns, but most are based on the same simple half-hitch knot. The making of friendship bracelets is a version of macrame.
The amount of thread used in bracelets varies depending on the pattern. The smallest pattern, a double chain knot, requires two strings. The candy stripe can have as few as three strings or as many as infinity strings, based on the desired thickness.
Friendship bracelets first became popular in the United States during the 1970s, and are commonly worn by both male and female teenagers.[1] They are popular throughout the world.[2][3][4] Besides teenagers, friendship bracelets are also popular among the older generation, and they are well known among celebrities as well. They can be worn on different occasions. For example, they are ideal as a fashion accessory at the beach because they are made of materials that will not easily destroyed and with them you can swim freely.[5]
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History[edit]
Friendship bracelets are ancient, but their resurgence is modern. The 'fad' of friendship bracelets reappeared when they were seen during protests into the disappearances of Mayan Indians and peasants in Guatemala.[6] The friendship bracelets were brought into the United States by religious groups for use in political rallies.[6] Friendship bracelets can have many meanings and symbolic uses which includes friendship, folk art or social statements.[6] In modern America, they are generally made by adolescent girls. Originally, these colorful bands were invented by Indians in Central and South America. According to tradition, you tie a bracelet onto the wrist of a friend who may wish for something at that moment. The bracelet should be worn until it is totally worn-out and falls off by itself, at which moment the wish is supposed to come true.
Patterns[edit]
Pattern names vary slightly depending on location, but are overall similar.
- Alpha bracelets (with letters/symbols)
- Angel
- Basic diagonal stripe
- Bordered chevron
- Broken ladder
- Candy Stripes
- Chevron
- Inverse chevron
- Chinese Staircase
- Christmas Tree
- Diagonal trees
- Diamond
- Dog den
- Double chain knot
- Double chevron
- Easter Egg
- Flip Flop Candy Stripe
- Flip Flop Zig Zag
- Hearts
- Mini Hearts
- Knitted
- Menorah
- Pumpkin
- Rag rug
- Star of David
- Swirl and braids (a combination of a braid and Chinese staircase)
- The Egyptian
- The Wrap
- Totem pole
- Zig zag[7]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Buchanan, Andrea J.; Miriam Peskowitz (2007). The Daring Book for Girls. New York: Collins. p. 99. ISBN 0-06-147257-3.
- ^ Robinson, Russell (November 6, 2010). "Weekend: Mums on a mission". Herald Sun.
- ^ Johnson, Dirk (August 13, 1993). "Despite rain, Denver is a mile high for the Pope". Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
- ^ Glascock, Stuart (April 13, 2008). "Dalai Lama draws 65,000 in Seattle". Common Dreams.
- ^ "Friendship Bracelets and Patterns". diamondsinstyle.com. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
- ^ a b c Julie Hatfield, Globe Staff. BRACELETS THAT MAKE A STATEMENT |newspaper= The Boston Globe (Boston, MA). The New York Times Company. 1988. Retrieved August 27, 2012 from Highbeam.com
- ^ Torres, Laura, Friendship Bracelets, Klutz, ISBN 1-59174-700-7
External links[edit]
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