| Wish Bracelets: Why Not Crochet Them?
This is issue #69, and I expect to send out #70 in August after I return from having my first market booth at CGOA's Chain Link conference in San Diego, July 23–25!
 Wish bracelets are friendship bracelets that you wear until they fall off. (At that point your wishes come true.) This means that the way you fasten them on is different from other bracelets.
The two small photos below show the usual fasteners for removable bracelets (far left) vs simple yarn ends long enough for tying. I like to twist the ends together.
  A wish bracelet is tied on with a quick, simple, permanent overhand knot unlike other friendship bracelets that can be easily unfastened. Usually, a friend or special someone ties the wish bracelet.
Where are the Crocheted Wish Bracelets?
It's my Summer of 2015 inspiration. I've discovered fun variations of chain stitches and have created a 20-minute wish bracelet demo for the CGOA conference this month! (See right column.)
Below are some unusual things to do with a chain stitch. Not beginner-level things, but perfect for a demo! From top to bottom: chain "post" stitch. chain "bullion" stitch. Yellow & black one is just chain stitches with alternated yarn color; the pink and black is a double-layer chain stitch. Love!
We’re in the midst of a thriving fashion trend for friendship bracelets that goes beyond the usual teen summer camp tradition. Find funky boho ones by searching “festival bracelets;” anklets, barefoot sandals, and headbands too. An eclectic mix of stitches, knot textures, and materials is a big part of this beachy chic look. Very inspiring!
Why are so few of them crocheted? Crochet is such a natural choice for today’s eclectic trend. It shares a kinship with macramé, which tends to be used for these bracelets. Chain and slip stitches are also used in knotting. The macramé half hitch is used in crochet to make limpets and some Tunisian increases. Crochet is as fast and easy as its sister macramé, maybe more so for some people.
No Weaving in Ends!
Crocheters can just use the yarn ends for wish bracelet ties. No weaving in ends, no special fasteners.
Just use small yarn amounts: I only needed about 3 feet (36" or 91 cm).
Even a crochet hook is optional! I finger crocheted some of the bracelets pictured. (A.k.a. "hand chaining.")
Make one quickly with simple skills and easy to find materials, or can get as fancy as you like with special beads and stitches.
Summer Happy Wish Time!
A wish bracelet is certainly a style commitment. Even if you don’t opt for a brightly colored one, you can count on it looking old and worn after awhile, in a good way: they look even better as they get sun bleached and sandy! We're talking summer, so they feel cool to the touch as they dry after a swim instead of being annoying.
If your school or workplace doesn’t allow them for aesthetic or safety reasons, you can still get the wish bracelet look with a removable version. (Make extra because they'll never really go out of style among middle and high school students.)
I'm collecting friendship bracelet styles in a new Pinterest board: "Friendship Bracelet Trends."
That's it for #69. If you know someone who would enjoy this kind of newsletter, please forward this to them so that they can subscribe. (Click here to subscribe: ) If you have any comments or suggestions, please email me. Thanks! --Vashti Helpful links:
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