Easy Crochet Friendship Bracelet Tutorial (Taylor Swift Reputation Inspired!)

Make the friendship bracelets…crochet style! Perfect for learning a new skill.

Watch the full tutorial here!

Are You Ready for Guilt-Free Reputation Listening?

If you’ve been following Taylor Swift’s re-recording journey, you know the anticipation for Reputation (Taylor’s Version) is REAL. But while we wait, why not celebrate the iconic black-and-white aesthetic of the original Reputation era with something crafty?

I’m going to show you how to crochet a friendship bracelet inspired by Taylor Swift’s Reputation album. And trust me, this is way easier than you think!

Whether you’re:

  • Looking for a quick kids project (or let’s be honest, an adult project because why should kids have all the fun?)
  • Wanting to learn a new crochet skill
  • Searching for handmade gift ideas for your fellow Swifties

…this tutorial is for you!

Why Crochet Friendship Bracelets for Taylor Swift?

If you’ve been anywhere near the internet during the Eras Tour, you know that friendship bracelet trading has become a HUGE part of the concert experience. Inspired by the lyric from “You’re On Your Own, Kid”—“So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it”—Swifties have been creating and trading thousands of beaded bracelets at shows.

But here’s the thing: not everyone is into the look of beaded bracelets. That’s where crochet comes in!

Why I love crocheted friendship bracelets:

  • No beads required (just yarn and a hook!)
  • Unique texture that stands out from typical beaded bracelets
  • Perfect for beginners (if you can chain, you can do this)
  • Multi-purpose (works great as an i-cord alternative for knitters too!)
  • Budget-friendly (make dozens from one skein of yarn)

Plus, this black-and-white color combo screams Reputation era. It’s bold, dramatic, and absolutely iconic.

What You’ll Need

Time to Complete: 20-30 minutes for beginners, 10-15 minutes once you get the hang of it
Skill Level: Beginner-friendly (just need to know how to chain!)
Finished Size: About 7″ long (adjustable for kids or adults)

Materials (contains affiliate links):

Pro tip: Cotton works best for bracelets because it’s soft, durable, and washable. But if you have allergies, acrylic works great too!

Size tip: I like to size up from what the yarn recommends. This technique works best when your tension is loose.

    • Scissors

    • REMEMBER! fixing mistakes is EASY! simply pull on your working thread and rip the stitches out and keep stitching.

Budget Breakdown: You can make 15-20 bracelets from two skeins of yarn, making each bracelet cost less than $1 in materials!

 

INSTRUCTIONS

Before You Start: Important Tips!

  • Tension is key: Keep it loose! Too tight and your bracelet will curl and feel stiff.
  • Color choice matters: The black and white combo is perfect for Reputation, but scroll down for other album color ideas!
  • Size as you go: Wrap it around your wrist as you work to check the length.
  • Mistakes are easy to fix: Just pull on your working thread and rip the stitches out. Seriously, it’s that simple!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Create Your Foundation With color A (black) and color B (white) held together, start with a slip knot. Leave a long tail (about 6 inches) for tying later.

Step 2: First Chain with Color A With color A (black), chain through the slip stitch, pulling through both the A and B loops.

  • You should only have one A loop on your hook
  • Don’t pull too tight. Loose is good here!

Step 3: Pick Up Color B Pick up your B loop (white) from the chain below. This is what creates the cool two-color effect!

Step 4: Chain with Color B With color B, chain 1, pulling through both your A and B loops.

  • Note: You should only have one B loop on your hook now
  • The colors will start alternating automatically!

Step 5: Pick Up Color A Pick up your A loop (black) from the chain below.

Step 6: Chain with Color A With color A, chain 1, pulling through both your A and B loops.

Step 7: Repeat, Repeat, Repeat! Keep alternating between colors A and B until your bracelet is the right length:

  • Kids (ages 5-10): About 6 inches
  • Tweens/Teens: About 6.5-7 inches
  • Adults: About 7-8 inches

Pro tip: The bracelet should wrap about 3/4 of the way around your wrist before tying. Try it on as you go!

Step 8: Finish It Off When you’ve reached your desired length:

  • Cut both threads about 4 inches away from your stitches
  • With both A and B held together, chain one more time and pull your yarn all the way through
  • This creates a secure ending!

Step 9: Tie It Closed Secure both ends of your bracelet with a knot. You can:

  • Tie it directly onto your wrist
  • Create an adjustable closure with square knots (lots of YouTube tutorials for this!)
  • Add beads to the ends for a decorative touch

And you’re done! You just crocheted your first Taylor Swift friendship bracelet!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

My bracelet is twisting like crazy. Help!

  • Check your tension. You might be pulling too tight
  • Make sure you’re picking up the correct loop from below each time
  • Try a larger hook size

The colors aren’t alternating properly.

  • Double-check that you’re picking up the loop from the chain below
  • Make sure you’re only pulling the working color through, not both colors
  • Watch the video tutorial! Seeing it in action helps!

It’s taking forever!

  • Speed comes with practice! Your first one might take 30 minutes, but by your fifth, you’ll be zooming through in 10-15 minutes
  • Put on a Taylor Swift album and enjoy the meditative process

My bracelet is too tight/loose.

  • Too tight: Use a larger hook
  • Too loose: Use a smaller hook or tighten your tension slightly
  • Adjust by adding or removing chains before you finish

I messed up! Do I have to start over?

  • Nope! Just pull on your working thread to unravel back to where you made the mistake
  • Crochet is super forgiving. That’s why I love it!

Make the Friendship Bracelets for Every Era!

Once you nail the Reputation black and white combo, why stop there? Try these color combinations for other Taylor Swift eras:

Debut Era (Taylor Swift):

  • Teal and white
  • Add some sparkle with metallic thread

Fearless (Taylor’s Version):

  • Gold and cream
  • Yellow and white

Speak Now (Taylor’s Version):

  • Purple and lavender
  • Deep plum and pink

Red (Taylor’s Version):

  • Red and white
  • Burgundy and cream
  • Add a pop of grey or black

1989 (Taylor’s Version):

  • Light blue and white
  • Seagull grey and pale pink
  • Pastel rainbow combo

Reputation:

  • Black and white (you just made this!)
  • Black and grey
  • Black and silver metallic

Lover:

  • Pink and purple
  • Pastel rainbow
  • Rose gold and pink

Folklore:

  • Forest green and cream
  • Grey and brown
  • Earthy muted tones

Evermore:

  • Burnt orange and brown
  • Rust and cream
  • Warm fall colors

Midnights:

  • Navy and white
  • Dark blue and lavender
  • Midnight blue and silver sparkle

The Tortured Poets Department:

  • Black and cream
  • Grey and white
  • Sepia tones

Mix multiple albums together for an Eras bracelet stack!

Bonus: Use This Technique for i-Cords!

Here’s a little secret: this same technique works PERFECTLY as an i-cord alternative for knitters!

What’s an i-cord? If you’re a knitter, you know i-cords are those cute knitted tubes used for drawstrings, straps, or decorative elements. Traditionally, they’re made with double-pointed needles and can be a bit fiddly.

Why use this crochet method instead?

  • Faster than traditional i-cord knitting
  • No double-pointed needles required
  • Great for non-knitters who want that i-cord look
  • Perfect for bag straps, hoodie strings, and more

Just use the same technique with whatever color combination you need. For projects needing a thicker cord, use bulkier yarn and a larger hook!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to know how to crochet to make this? A: If you can make a chain stitch, you can make this! It’s literally just chaining with two colors. Check out my video tutorial for a visual guide.

Q: How long does it take to make one bracelet? A: Your first one might take 20-30 minutes as you get the hang of it. Once you’ve made a few, you’ll speed up to about 10-15 minutes per bracelet. Perfect for a TV-watching craft!

Q: Can I use different colors? A: Absolutely! Any two colors that have good contrast will look amazing. Try colors from other Taylor Swift eras, your school colors, your favorite color combo, or pride flag colors!

Q: What’s the difference between using cotton vs. acrylic yarn? A: Cotton is my preference for bracelets because it’s:

  • Soft against skin
  • Breathable (won’t make your wrist sweaty)
  • Washable
  • Durable But acrylic works great too, especially if you have wool/fiber allergies!

Q: Is this really beginner-friendly? A: YES! If you’ve never crocheted before, this is actually a perfect first project. The video tutorial shows you exactly what to do, and the worst that can happen is you pull it out and start over. No big deal!

Q: How much yarn do I need? A: One skein of each color will make 15-20 bracelets depending on wrist size. So you can make a LOT from very little yarn!

Q: Can I make this into a necklace or anklet? A: Absolutely! Just make it longer. For a necklace, aim for about 18-20 inches. For an anklet, measure your ankle and add 2 inches.

Q: What if I mess up? A: Just pull on the working yarn to unravel back to your mistake! Crochet is super forgiving. I mess up ALL the time and just rip it out. No shame!

Q: Do I need to know how to tie special knots? A: Nope! A simple square knot works fine. YouTube has tons of “how to tie a square knot” tutorials if you need a refresher.

Share Your Creations!

I’d absolutely LOVE to see what you make! Whether you stick with classic Reputation black and white or go wild with other eras, your bracelets are going to be amazing.

Tag me on social media:

Got questions? Drop them in the comments below! I read every single one and love helping fellow crafters troubleshoot.

Ready to make the friendship bracelets? Grab your yarn and hook, put on your favorite Taylor Swift album, and let’s get crafting! Remember, this is supposed to be FUN. Don’t stress about perfection. Just enjoy the process and the meditative rhythm of creating something with your hands.

After all, as Taylor says: “So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it.”

Happy crocheting, Swifties! 🖤🤍

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I’m Samantha

I am a self-professed elderly millennial, a writer, the host of the Knitflix and Chill Podcast, and a proud dog mom to Shelly Pupperellie. I love all things yarn & am always looking for new ways to share my love of DIY with the world! Happy Stitching!

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