Giant Crochet Friendship Bracelet Garland

This past year, friendship bracelets made a triumphant return, fueled not by nostalgia alone, but by the undeniable power of Taylor Swift. Letter beads are sold out from every dollar store I've visited!

Kids trade friendship bracelets at school, and adults swap them at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concerts. I've been listening to Taylor Swift since "Love Story", but became a full-on Swiftie after watching Taylor Swift The Eras Tour Concert Movie.

One lyric in particular from "You're On Your Own, Kid" struck a chord (pun intended!): "So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it." It sparked a trend, and creativity bloomed!

Aside from actual friendship bracelets with black-and-white letter beads with various sayings, I've seen some amazing folks crafting giant friendship bracelet garlands using foam circles and plastic ball pit balls, and it totally inspired me to create my own—a crochet version, naturally (think Taylor's Version!).

For this project, I used Schjeepes Chunky Monkey yarn - it's anti-pill and perfect for these chunky "beads." You can personalize your garland by making any saying you want!

You can add letters to your letter beads by crocheting or embroidering them directly onto the beads. I laser-cut individual letters from cardboard using my xTool laser cutter and then painted them black (or white) with acrylic paint. I then attached them using some double-sided tape.

This way, I can easily swap out the letters and create a whole new message for my garland - endless possibilities!

I did end up making crochet letter beads of both black and white in color because I thought it would be cool, but I've since regretted it because this meant that I needed to make the letters available in both colors as well so it provided enough contrast to read them!

I get that not everyone has access to a laser cutter, but there are so many possibilities. If you have a Cricut machine, you can whip up some vinyl letters in a flash. Short on time or crafting supplies? Pre-cut letter stickers are your friend!

So get ready to unleash your inner Swiftie and craft a one-of-a-kind garland that celebrates friendship, creativity, and the power of a good pop song!

Everything you lose, is a step you take. So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it -- you've got no reason to be afraid. Add that pop of color you've been craving for in your space!

Remember to like Once Upon a Cheerio on Facebook. I'd also love it if you followed @onceuponacheerio on Instagram!

Don't have time to make it right this instant? Pin it for later!

Crochet Friendship Bracelet Garland Pattern

What You Need / Materials

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• Aran (yarn weight #4) yarn shown in Scheepjes Chunky Monkey (100% Premium Acrylic (Anti Pilling); 116 m / 126 yds per 100 g / 3.53 oz)
• Color A: 1001 White, each skein makes approximately 6 letter beads
• Color B: 1002 Black, each skein makes approximately 6 letter beads
• Color C: 1263 Lemon, each skein makes approximately 6 star beads
• Color D: 1034 Baby Blue, each skein makes 5 round beads
• Color E: 1432 Amethyst, each skein makes 5 round beads
• Color F: 1241 Rose, each skein makes 5 round beads
• Color G: 1084 Wild Orchid, each skein makes 5 round beads
• 4.5 mm Crochet Hook
• Poly-fil or any Polyester Stuffing (optional)
• Yarn Needle
• Stitch Markers
• Scissors

Stitches & Abbreviations

• st/sts - stitch/stitches
• ch - chain
• slst - slip stitch
• sc - single crochet
• sc inc - single crochet increase, 2 single crochets in one stitch
• sc dec - single crochet decrease, single crochet 2 stitches together
• hdc - half double crochet
• dc - double crochet
• dc inc - double crochet increase, 2 double crochets in one stitch

Notes

• The letters were cut out of cardboard using my xTool laser cutter
• Those who do not have a laser cutter to cut out the letters can cut them out using black vinyl adhesive and their Cricut. Or purchase pre-cut letters.
• Font used for the giant letters beads: Arial Rounded MT Bold
• Gauge: giant crocheted letter beads measure approximately 9 cm in diameter each.

Crochet Pattern Instructions

Giant Letter Beads (make 2 for each letter bead)

Using a 4.5 mm crochet hook and white/black aran yarn...

Round 1: Magic ring with a base of 12 dc, slst join (12 sts)

Round 2: Dc inc in each st around, slst join (24 sts)

Round 3: [Dc, dc inc] x 12 times, slst join (36 sts)

Round 4: [Dc, dc inc, dc] x 12 times, slst join (48 sts)

Cut and fasten off the first piece. Do not cut and fasten off the second piece.

Put the back of the two pieces together and slst in each st around the edges. Cut and fasten off.

Giant Star Bead (make 2 for each bead)

Using a 4.5 mm crochet hook and yellow yarn...

Round 1: Magic ring with a base of 5 sc (5 sts)

Round 2: Sc inc in each st around (10 sts)

Round 3: [3 hdc in the next st, sc] x 5 times (20 sts)

Round 4: [Sc, 3 hdc in the next st, sc, slst] x 5 times (30 sts)

Round 5: [2 sc, 3 hdc in the next st, 2 sc, slst] x 5 times (35 sts)

Cut and fasten off the first piece. Do not cut and fasten off the second piece.

Put the back of the two pieces together and slst in each st around the edges. Cut and fasten off.

Giant Color Beads

Using a 4.5 mm crochet hook and any color yarn...

Round 1: Magic ring with a base of 6 sc (6 sts)

Round 2: Sc inc in each st around (12 sts)

Round 3: [Sc, sc inc] x 6 times (18 sts)

Round 4: [Sc, sc inc, sc] x 6 times (24 sts)

Round 5: [3 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (30 sts)

Round 6: [2 sc, sc inc, 2 sc] x 6 times (36 sts)

Round 7-12: Sc in each st around (36 sts)

Round 13: [2 sc, sc dec, 2 sc] x 6 times (30 sts)

Round 14: [3 sc, sc dec] x 6 times (24 sts)

Round 15: [Sc, sc dec, sc] x 6 times (18 sts)

Round 16: [Sc, sc dec] x 6 times (12 sts)

Did you make your own giant crochet friendship bracelet? I'd love to see it! Please share it with me on Instagram and/or use the #onceuponacheerio hashtag.

This is an original crochet pattern written by Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio. Please do not claim this crochet pattern as your own. If you wish to share this crochet pattern, you may link to this blog post, but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for personal use, but please DO NOT sell or distribute the crochet pattern.

You may sell products made from this crochet pattern, but please clearly credit the design to me, Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio and provide a link to my blog www.OnceUponaCheerio.com. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you for understanding!