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How to make a Fishtail Loom Bracelet

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A hand displaying a fishtail loom bracelet with instructions labeled on the palm.
 
Loom Bracelet are really popular right now, and my kids spend so much time making them any different styles and colors. They love making the traditional bracelet but they got eager to learn a new style. We decided to give the Fishtail Loom Bracelet a try and actually found it to be easier than the traditional bracelet. First, choose your color combination. You can use any number of colors. I prefer using two or three. The instructions here are shown using three colors.
 
This loom bracelet only uses 2 pegs from your loom so choose whichever side you feel most comfortable working on. 
Rainbow loom setup with a pink rubber band being looped on clear plastic pegs.
 1. On your two corner pegs, twist your first band into a figure 8 and push down. This will be the only time you use a figure 8. 
Transparent loom bands on a blue loom with a red arrow and pink x indicating instructions or errors.
2. Add your second color on top of the figure eight.
Transparent suction cups attached to a blue object with a red arrow.
 3. Add your third rubber band on top. Push down the rubber bands to make room for the next step.
Test tubes with blue liquid secured by a red tube rack clamp.
 Here is the side view with the three rubber bands. The bottom one making a figure 8 and the next two regular. Notice how they are pushed down.
A loom hook tool pulling a pink elastic band through a loop on a loom board during the process of making a rainbow loom bracelet.
 4. Use your hook to take off one side of the rubber band. Bring in around so it is in the center of your bands.
Plastic loom with hooks engaged in rubber band weaving, showing a close-up of the bands and tool structure.
 5. Repeat using your hook with the other side. 
Close-up of a loom band being woven with a hook on a plastic pegboard.
 This photo shows how you will bring the band around.
Plastic loom with hooks and rubber bands in the process of weaving a bracelet, viewed from above.
 If done correctly, your bottom band (figure 8) will look like this.
Top-down view of a transparent orthodontic retainer with a pink and blue structure.
6. Add your next band on top. When using three colors, I have found it easiest to keep track of which color comes next, by adding the same color band as you just took off. For example, we just brought the pink band to the center, so we will add a pink band. 
A set of blue liquid-filled test tubes secured with a pink rubber band.
 7. White was now your bottom band. Follow the same step to bring each side to the center.
 
A set of test tubes filled with blue liquid, connected by a red tubular structure, placed on a lab bench.
Since white was the color you just brought around, you will add a white band to the top.
Plastic gear mechanism with a red arrow indicating direction of movement.
8. Red became your bottom band, so you use your hook, to bring it up and around over your white band. You will now add your red band regular to the top.
  
A close-up of a rainbow loom creation with blue pegs, using pink and white rubber bands.
 
A loom bracelet in progress with pink and white bands on a plastic loom tool.
  This side view shows how you are working with the bottom band always and bringing it around.
A handcrafted bracelet made with pink and white rubber bands on a loom kit.
Repeat these steps over and over again. Add a band, bring around bottom band. Add a band, bring around bottom band.
 
Until you get here:
Close-up of a colorful loom band bracelet with a plastic s-clip.
 9. When your Fishtail Loom Bracelet is at your desired length and a C clip or S clip to one end. I prefer an S clip, but this really is a matter of taste.
A finger using a hook tool to loop a rubber band on a loom for crafting bracelets.
10. Pinch your bands so they stay together and remove from loom.
 
Close-up of hands linking colorful plastic chains together.
11. Hold loops together and add to other side of clip
Two hands stretching a pink and white braided rubber band bracelet.
 12. Voila, you are done!
A set of multicolored loom bracelets with plastic clasps displayed on a white surface.
 
Since this type of bracelet only uses 2 pegs, my kids have enjoyed having multiple going at one time.
 
Tips that I have found work best in making the Fishtail Loom Bracelet:
  • Work with 2-3 colors
  • Use a smaller hook
  • Always push down your bands after you bring the new color around
  • I am right handed and found it easiest to work from the left side. My daughter is left handed and prefers the right side. 

You can buy your Loom Bracelet Kit on Amazon.

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