How to Make Loom Bands

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Loom bands are the hottest new craze! Everyone's wearing accessories made from these colorful little rubber bands. They might be called loom bands, but you don't actually need a loom to create fun crafts. You'll find several loom bands designs here that you can make just with your fingers or household objects. Get yourself some loom bands and get crafty!

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Making a Fishtail Loom Bands Bracelet

PDF download Download Article
  1. Count out the number of bands you'll need for your bracelet. This bracelet is a little thicker than the basic bracelet, so you'll probably need around 30 bands for a child's bracelet and around 40 for an adult's bracelet. You will also need one C-clip or S-clip.
    • If you don't want to work on your fingers, you can use unsharpened pencils, knitting needles, or even chopsticks to hold the bands.The process is the same no matter what you use. [1] Just hold the pencils in your non-dominant hand and work with your dominant hand.
    • Using two (or more!) colors of bands will bring out the fishtail design better than using only one.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Twist it in the middle to form an "infinity" or "8" shape. Be careful not to stretch the bands too much. They might snap if overstretched.
    Advertisement
  3. Don't twist these bands; just place them on top of the first one. You won't twist any more of the bands from here on out.
    • If you're using two or more colors, make sure to alternate the colors of the bands as you wrap them.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Bring it to the middle of the bands (halfway between your fingers) and release. Next, pull the bottom loom band on your index finger over the top band. Bring it to the middle and release.
  5. This will help keep your bracelet from coming undone as you work.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Repeat Step 4. Keep adding bands and repeating Step 4 until you have made the size you want.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    This will complete the loop. Now you have a beautiful fishtail bracelet!
    • You can modify this method to make a ring or a necklace -- just weave fewer or more bands until it's the length you want and then connect the ends with the plastic clip.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Making a Triple Fishtail Loom Bands Bracelet

PDF download Download Article
  1. You will need loom bands in 3 different colors, a C-clip or S-clip, and two pencils (or chopsticks or knitting needles). This bracelet is a lot chunkier than the previous two, so you will need between 40 and 50 bands for a child's bracelet and around 70 bands for an adult's bracelet. Use as many as you need.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Use the same color for all three bands here. This is different from the fishtail bracelet above because you'll twist all three bands rather than just one. We'll call these group #1.
  3. Don't twist these bands. Just loop them around the pencils. We'll call these group #2.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Then repeat for the right pencil. The first three bands (group #1) should now be looped around the middle of the second three bands (group #2).
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    This is just like Step 3: don't twist these bands, merely wrap them around the pencils. We'll call these group #3.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Then repeat for the right pencil. The group #2 bands should now be looped around the middle of the group #3 bands.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Remember to alternate your colors. Just keep wrapping groups of three bands around the pencils and bringing the bottom bands up over the pencils to the middle. Continue until the bracelet is as long as you want it.
  8. At the top of the bracelet the last group of bands will form two "loops." Pinch these together and carefully slip the loops off the pencils.
    • Take your time with this step. Pulling too quickly could cause the bracelet to come undone!
  9. Using your dominant hand, pull the other loop to stretch the bands apart slightly. Then slide that loop through the other loop. You should now have a slipknot at the end of the bracelet.
    • Make sure to slip all three bands through the loop!
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    This will complete the circle and your bracelet will be ready to wear!
    11. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Making a Hexafish Loom Bands Bracelet

PDF download Download Article
  1. You will need assorted loom bands in at least two colors, a plastic S-clip, a dinner fork (with four tines), and a pencil or chopstick. (Anything long, skinny, and slightly pointed will work.) This pattern is more complicated than the others, so take your time!
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    The fork should be facing you. Pull the band back a little, twist it, and slide it over the second tine. Continue pulling, twisting, and looping over the remaining two tines. The band should make what looks like two "8"s on the fork.
  3. You can use a different color or the same, depending on how thick you want the stripes in the pattern to be.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Pull it up and over the fork tine to the back. It should come over and across the top band and form a loop at the back of the fork.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Pull it up and over the fork tine to the back. Repeat with the final two loops.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    You should have a row of what looks like "8"s on the fork again. Repeat Steps 4 and 5, using the pencil to pull the bottom band from the front up and over the fork to the back.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Continue in the pattern, alternating between forming rows of "8" loops and pulling the bottom band over the fork tines. Create as many rows as necessary to make the bracelet your desired length.
    • Once you've gotten several rows finished, give the back of the bracelet a little pull. This will help keep the pattern tight and in place.
  8. When you pull the bracelet (which should be behind the fork), you should see two open loops where you began weaving. Slide one end of the S-clip through both loops.
  9. Make sure to pinch them at the bottom as you slide up so you don't lose them! Slip all four loops through the other end of the S-clip. Now your hexafish bracelet is finished!
    • Take your time with this step. If you slide the loops off too quickly, it could unravel the bracelet.
    10. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Making a Basic Loom Bands Bracelet

PDF download Download Article
  1. Count out the number of bands you'll need for your bracelet. You will probably need around 20 for a child's bracelet and around 30 for an adult's bracelet. You will also need one C-clip, which you can usually find in the same craft store aisle as the loom bands.
    • Sometimes the clips will be included when you purchase the loom bands. Double-check to make sure you have everything you need.
    • You can make a striped bracelet by alternating between two colors, or a fun rainbow pattern by using a mix of colors.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Slide this circle inside the C-clip. This is the beginning of your bracelet. We'll call this band #1.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Slide this band (#2) halfway through the circle you made in Step 2. Pull the ends up and hold them together.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Make sure you keep holding the ends of band #2 together while you do this or the chain will come undone! Now band #2 is securely part of the chain, and band #3 looks just like band #2 in the previous step.
  5. Slip one loop of the final band through the other loop and pull tightly. Slide the last band's remaining loop into the C-clip from Step 2
    • If you aren't sure whether your bracelet is long enough, wrap it around your other wrist. Make sure it's not too tight! Wearing a bracelet that's too tight might disturb blood circulation or cause swelling. [2]
    6. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Making a Loom Bands Necklace

PDF download Download Article
  1. You'll need an assortment of loom bands, a plastic C-clip or S-clip, and a little patience. This project is longer than the bracelets, so it will require more bands and more time to make.
  2. Don't twist them. Hold your thumb and index finger so that the bands stretch a little.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Slip one end of this band through the loop at the other end to form a slipknot, and pull to tighten.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    You should have a circle made of four loops. Slide two more bands through the loops. Make sure you slide these new bands through all four loops!
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Loom Bands
    Continue forming circles with your bands and sliding new bands through them. You'll see a chain start to form. Repeat this process until the necklace is as long as you want it.
    • You can vary the number of bands you use for each "link" in your necklace; fewer bands will form a thinner link, while more bands will form a chunkier link.
  6. Now you have a finished necklace!
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How can I make a starburst bracelet?
    Community Answer
    Check out how to make a starburst bracelet here .
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 76 Helpful 139
  • Question
    How do I make a loom band with a loom?
    Community Answer
    Stretch the bands on the pegs, overlapping. Only use one row. Pull the bottom of every single band over, and then pull it off. You should now have a bracelet.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 60 Helpful 58
  • Question
    How would I do a bracelet ring?
    Community Answer
    Make a bracelet, but make it shorter depending on the size of your finger. You can measure how many bands you need by tightly wrapping the bracelet around your finger and counting the bands.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 42 Helpful 62
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Don't stretch the bands too much or they might snap (or even cause injury).
        Thanks
        Helpful 18 Not Helpful 3
      • You can modify any of these patterns to make rings, necklaces, or headbands. Just weave shorter or longer bands before joining the ends with the clip.
        Thanks
        Helpful 14 Not Helpful 3
      • You can also use a rainbow loom to make it easier. A rainbow loom hook helps too.
        Thanks
        Helpful 12 Not Helpful 4
      Show More Tips

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • If you notice your fingers turning purple, move the bands or take them off to help the circulation.
      • Be careful, some people are allergic to loom bands.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make Loom Band Patterns Without the Loom
      How to
      Make a Rainbow Loom Bracelet
      Making a Fishtail Bracelet With & Without a Rainbow Loom
      How to
      Make a Starburst Bracelet Using the Rainbow Loom
      How to
      Make Loom Bracelets
      How to
      Make a Double Band Fishtail Loom Bracelet
      How to
      Make a Single Loom Bracelet
      How to
      Make Loom Bands with Beads
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://artzycreations.com/make-rainbow-loom-bracelets-using-two-pencils/
      2. ↑ http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2010/11/01/popular-childrens-bracelet-concerns-parents/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make a basic loom bands bracelet, start by twisting 1 band into an “8” and folding it in half to make a circle, which you can slide into a C-clip to start your bracelet. Then, slide a new band halfway through the circle and pull the ends together to form a loop. While you’re holding the loop, slide a new band through it. The previous band will become a link in the bracelet and this new band will become the band you pull into a loop to create the next link. Continue adding bands in this way until your bracelet is long enough, then slide the remaining loop into the C-clip to finish your bracelet. To learn how to make a fancier triple fishtail or hexafish bracelet, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 430,263 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Amelia R.

        Aug 19

        "Before, it was really hard for me to loom, but now I can make lots of different patterns."
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement