How to Braid String

Co-authored by Amy Guerrero

Last Updated: December 17, 2022

Braided string creates a strong, thin cord to use in jewelry or other crafts. Learning to braid with string is a great way to test out new types of braids before working it with other materials like hair, rope or ribbon. Try your hand with 3-, 4-, and 5-strand braids and in multiple colors once you master the technique.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Basic 3-Strand Braid

1
Decide your braid's length. Figure out the length of your braid. Add on an extra 1/3 of that measurement to get your cutting length. This is how long you'll need to cut your string. For example:^{[1]
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- Desired length: 24 inches (61 cm)
- 24 divided by 3 = 8 inches (20 cm)
- 24 + 8 = 32 inches (81 cm)
- 32 inches (81 cm) = cutting length
2
Cut 3 pieces of string based on your measurements. Use the same color for each strand of string, or use different colors. For a fancier braid, cut 6 or 9 strings instead, then divide them into 3 groups. For example, you can do 3 pink strings, 3 purple strings, and 3 magenta strings.^{[2]
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- Embroidery floss is a popular choice, but you can use other types of string, such as yarn or leather cording.
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3
Knot your strings together. Gather the ends of your strings together. Treating them as a single strand, coil them into a loop, then pull the ends through the loop. This will make the knot. Keep the knot 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) from the string end.https://www.wikihow.com/Braid-String Tape the string above the knot to a flat surface, such as a table.
4
Separate your string into 3 strands or groups. 1 strand to the left, 1 in the middle, and 1 on the right. With multiple strands of color, group the strands by color instead. For example, place the pink strings to the left, the purple strings in the middle, and all the magenta strings to the right.^{[3]
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5
Start the braid. Take the left string and cross it over the middle string. Take the right string and cross it over the new middle string. Again, if you have multiple strings of each color, treat that color group as a single string.^{[4]
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- For example, if you have 3 pink, 3 purple, and 3 magenta strings, cross all of the pink strings over all of the purple strings.
6
Maintain a consistent tension. Give the strings a gentle tug to tighten the strings as you braid. Repeat the process until you reach the length you want, or until you have 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) left.
7
Fasten the braid end into a knot. Coil the braid end into a loop, then pull the tails through the loop. Tug on the tails to tighten the knot, then trim off the left over strands,^{[5]
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8
Remove the tape from the start of the braid. You can now use the braid for the craft project you created it for. If this is a bracelet, wrap the braid around your wrist and tie the ends together into a double-knot.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating a 4-Strand Braid

1
Decide your braid's length. Add an extra 1/3 of that measurement. to get your cutting length. For example:^{[6]
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- Desired length: 12 inches (30 cm)
- 12 divided by 3 = 4 inches (10 cm)
- 12 + 4 = 16 inches (41 cm)
- 16 inches (41 cm) = cutting length
2
Cut 4 pieces of string based on your measurement. Embroidery floss is a great choice here, but you can use other types of string, like jute or yarn. Use the same color for all 4 strands, or you can use different colors.
- For a wider 4-strand braid, cut 8 to 12 strands. These strands are divided into 4 groups later on.
3
Knot the strings together, then tape them to a flat surface. Gather the strings together, then tie an overhand knot 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) from the end. Tape the strings to a flat surface, like a desk, just above the knot.
- An overhand knot is formed when you coil the string into a loop, then pull the end through the loop.
4
Divide the strings into 4 groups. 2 strings to the left and 2 strings to the right. With 8 to 12 strings, you still divide the strings into 4 groups. Each color group is worked as a single strand from now on.^{[7]
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5
Begin braiding. Starting from the left, mentally number the strings 1 through 4. Cross the 1st string on the left over the 2nd string.^{[8]
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Expert Answer

Q

How do you keep string from tangling as you braid it?

Amy Guerrero
Arts & Crafts Specialist
Amy Guerrero is an Arts and Crafts Specialist and the Owner of Sunshine Craft Co., a crafting studio based in Phoenix, Arizona. Amy specializes in macrame, DIY crafting, and teaching fiber arts. She offers monthly in-person and online workshops along with having developed a range of DIY craft kits for at-home projects. Amy holds a BS in Industrial Design from Philadelphia University. She worked as a graphic designer before starting her own business. Sunshine Craft Co. is a creative hub that offers a wide range of workshops, tools, and resources for any craft project to inspire creativity and community engagement.

EXPERT ADVICE

Answer from Amy Guerrero:

It's best to stop every few steps to detangle the length of the string. That way, you can be sure the piece you are working on is not getting messed up.
6
Continue the braid. Cross the last string on the right under the 3rd string. Re-number your strings 1 through 4. Take string number 4, and cross it under string number 3.^{[9]
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7
Cross the 3rd string over the 2nd string. Re-number your strings one last time. Take string number 3, and cross it over string number 2. This process is a little bit like weaving.^{[10]
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8
Repeat the process, starting from the 1st string on the left. Cross the 1st string over the middle string. Cross the 4th string under the 3rd string. Cross the new 3rd string over the new left string. Continue until your braid is the length you want, or until you have 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) left.^{[11]
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- Every so often, give all of your strings a tug so that your braid comes out nice and neat.
9
Knot the end of the braid, then cut the rest off. Just like the braid start, tie the end of your braid into an overhand knot. If a lot of string is leftover, cut it off.
10
Remove the tape from the start of the braid. To wear this as a bracelet, wrap the braid around your wrist, then have someone tie the ends together into a double-knot for you.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Doing a 5-Strand Braid

1
Cut 5 pieces of 32-inch (81-cm) length of string. Use the same color for each string, or use different colors. For a wider braid, cut 10 pieces of string; you will still be creating a 5-strand braid, but using 2 strings for each strand..^{[12]
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- You can use this method to create a 7-strand braid.
- Embroidery floss works great for this, but you can also use yarn. Thicker string, such as jute or leather, is not recommended because of its bulk.
2
Knot your strings together. Gather the ends of your strings. Treating them as a single strand, coil them into a loop, then pull the ends through the loop. This will make the knot. Keep the knot 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) from the string end. Tape the string above the knot to a flat surface, such as a desk or table.^{[13]
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3
Divide your string into 5 groups. When using 10 strings for a thicker braid, divide them into 5 groups of 2 strands each. Treat each group as a single strand.
4
Weave the first string under and over the next 2 strings. Take the 1st string on the left. Cross it under the 2nd and over the 3rd string. Drop it between the 3rd and 4th strings.^{[14]
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- For a dovetail look, cross the first strand over the next 2 strands and drop it in the center.^{[15]
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- If working a 7-strand braid, do the step above, then cross the string over the 4th string.
5
Weave the last string under and over the previous 2 strings. Number your strings 1 through 5. Take string number 5, and weave it under string number 4. Cross it over string number 3, and drop it between strings 2 and 3.^{[16]
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- For a dovetail look, cross the last strand over the previous 2 strands and drop it in the center.^{[17]
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- For a 7-strand braid, complete the above step, then cross the string under the fourth string.
6
Repeat the process until you get the length you want. Alternate between weaving the left and right strings towards the middle. Always start with the first string on the left and the last string on the right. Keep the strings flat and do not let them twist.^{[18]
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- You can braid all the way to the end of the string, or you can stop whenever you want to.
- If using all the string, leave 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) at the end for tying the knot.
7
Tie the end of the braid into an overhand knot. This is the same knot that is used at the start of the braid. If any extra string is left over, you can cut it off.
8
Peel the tape off. You can now use the braid for whatever craft project you made it for. You can even wrap it around your wrist and tie the ends into a double-knot.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you do a 4-strand braid with string?

Amy Guerrero
Arts & Crafts Specialist
Amy Guerrero is an Arts and Crafts Specialist and the Owner of Sunshine Craft Co., a crafting studio based in Phoenix, Arizona. Amy specializes in macrame, DIY crafting, and teaching fiber arts. She offers monthly in-person and online workshops along with having developed a range of DIY craft kits for at-home projects. Amy holds a BS in Industrial Design from Philadelphia University. She worked as a graphic designer before starting her own business. Sunshine Craft Co. is a creative hub that offers a wide range of workshops, tools, and resources for any craft project to inspire creativity and community engagement.

Amy Guerrero

Arts & Crafts Specialist

Expert Answer

It's a good idea to start by working with smaller lengths of string as you're practicing a new type of braid. That way, you can get confident before you start working on longer strings.
Question

Is it possible to tie a singularly-colored 3-string braid, then connect a completely different string and tie them together?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

wikiHow has several articles on joining yarn in crocheting, knitting as well as splicing yarn. Just type "join yarn" on the wikiHow search line to see the available articles and to choose the one best suited for your project.
Question

Is it still braiding with 4 or 5 strings, just with more strings?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Your deduction is correct. The article explains how to braid with 4 and 5 strings, though more strings make it more of a weaving of the strings than a braid.