Friendship Bracelets

April 7, 2014
The perennial craft favored by tween girls—the friendship bracelet—is updated in this book aimed at older teenagers, and even adults interested in perfecting the “relaxed hippie vibe” might be interested. Author McNeill has the goods, with over 25 styles of bracelets carefully explained in both print and illustrations. McNeill favors bright colors and a crunchy style, but it’s easy to see how the designs here could be more sophisticated in a different color palette or in one of the alternate materials she suggests. Readers who thought friendship bracelets came in one or two styles will be dazzled by the Josephine Knot, Wide Alternating Color Diamonds, and Symmetrical Chevrons. While it’s an unfortunate oversight to show photos of bracelets without instructions on how to complete them, this slim volume will be a firm favorite as summer —friendship bracelets’ classic season—rolls in. Full-color photos and illustrations.

June 15, 2014

Friendship bracelets, those timeless 1980s accessories made from embroidery floss or perle cotton, are still popular with tweens and teens. The basics are simple enough--a combination of braiding, weaving, and knotting that lives in the muscle memory of any woman who has attended summer camp since the late 1970s--but there are a lot of possibilities here, from slim, bead-embellished designs to wider, multicolored arrangements with chevron or wave patterns. For crafters who prefer the hippie look, there's also a section on creating hemp bracelets using the same knotting, braiding, and weaving techniques. Each design includes diagrams and instructions; a brief introduction serves as a reminder of the basics. VERDICT Kids are still making friendship bracelets, and this nostalgic collection will pique the interest of crafters young and old.

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