To keep this post simple and straightforward, each has been sized with 18 outer border pins and 19 center pins. Thicker bracelets, or those that use more bands for this length on the loom, have more tension and therefore end up a little shorter than simpler bands. Looser designs of this length, such as the first 7 listed, would fit a first grader like Drakeson, and tighter designs would still fit a preschooler like Milli. Depending on the length you require, adjust the border size accordingly or extend the bracelet slightly until it fits. (Most rainbow loom bracelets are extended on one side only, but I don't see why. Isn't it prettier to have two loops on each side and the clasp in the middle? I suppose if you'd rather have a clasp wandering about a part of your wrist that you can't remember, that isn't my problem.)
Every pattern here begins with two attached looms with the arrows facing away from you and the middle column offset towards you. Each starts with 38 border bands starting at the bottom center pin, moving away from you, and meeting again at the 19th center pin to form an elongated hexagon. Every looping step moves away from you to one of its original pins unless otherwise specified, and each bracelet is finished with an extra band and a C clip. Below are the steps to take between setting up the border and finishing the bracelet.
Select your color scheme, set up your border, and choose a bracelet! If you're confused, start at the beginning of the list. Have fun.
All bracelets have been made and photographed by my little sister!
16 horizontal bands twisted once.
Each band connects the 2nd outside pins, 3rd, and so on through the 17th.
For Taffy Twist, triple horizontal bands, twisting and placing 3 at a time.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop border.
16 horizontal bands connecting the 2nd outside pins, 3rd, and so on through the 17th.
Each horizontal band is threaded through one bead.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop border.
Double Beaded Ladder
18 vertical bands placed up center pins.
16 horizontal double-beaded bands connecting outside pins 2-17.
Beads should straddle center bands.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop center and then loop border.
Ladder
Set up like Railroad.
18 vertical bands placed up center pins.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop center.
16 additional horizontal bands connecting outside pins 2-17.
(This will create a sandwich of horizontal bands.)
Loop border.
Triple Single
18 vertical bands placed up center pins.
16 horizontal bands connecting outside pins 2-17;
The bottom of each horizontal band stretches downwards over nearest middle pin.
(Each creates a triangle.)
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop center and then loop border.
Triple Single with Rings
18 vertical bands placed up center pins.
16 side equilateral bands for one side;
Each of these will overlap a vertical border band but extend inwards to the middle pin.
16 side equilateral bands for the other side;
Each of these will mirror previous equilateral bands.
16 horizontal bands connecting outside pins 2-17;
Each horizontal band stretches downwards over nearest middle pin to create a triangle.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop center and then loop border.
Turtle Back (very similar to "Sun")
34 connecting bands from center to sides.
These are angled away from you to make a V.
18 cap bands go on center pins 2-19.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop upside down V bands outwards;
Note that these loop towards you.
Loop border.
Confetti Criss-Cross
16 side equilateral bands for one side;
Each of these will overlap a vertical border band but extend inwards to the middle pin.
16 side equilateral bands for the other side;
Each of these will mirror previous equilateral bands.
17 quadruple cap bands go on center pins 2-18.
Apply regular cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
From center pin 2, loop equilateral band around both outer pins.
Repeat for entire side.
Loop second side and then loop border.
Twisty Wisty
18 vertical bands placed up center pins.
18 horizontal bands connecting outside pins 1-18;
The first will extend upwards to middle pin 2 to create a triangle.
The next 16 will extend upwards and downwards, overlapping and creating diamonds.
The last will extend downwards to middle pin 18 to create a triangle.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop 1 center band upwards and 2 V bands (border) outwards.
Loop both sides of horizontal band upwards onto middle pin.
Loop 2 side border bands.
Repeat 1 center band, both sides of horizontal band, and 2 side border bands until finished.
You'll end by looping everything to the top center pin.
Zippy Chain
18 center bands and 34 connecting bands from center to sides.
Place 1 center band and then 2 bands angled towards you to make an upside down V.
Repeat until finished and end with last center band.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop 2 V bands (border) outwards and 1 center band upwards.
Instead of repeating, loop 2 border bands upwards.
Repeat 2 V bands, 1 center, and 2 border bands until finished.
X-Twister (Very similar to "Arrowhead" or "Firecracker")
18 center bands and 34 connecting bands from center to sides.
Place 1 center band and then 2 bands angled away from you to make a V.
Repeat until finished and end with last center band.
18 cap bands go on center pins 2-19.
Rotate loom.
Loop first center band forwards and 2 upside down V bands outwards;
Note that the upside down V bands loop towards you.
Repeat until center is finished; you will end with a center loop.
Loop remaining border.
Bow Tie
18 center bands and 68 connecting bands from center to sides.
Place 1 center band.
Two at a time, place 4 bands angled towards you to make an upside down V.
Each pair of connecting bands are twisted once to create a figure 8.
Repeat until finished and end with last center band.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop first center band forwards and 4 twisted V bands outwards.
Repeat cycle of 3 bands until middle is finished.
You will end with last center band.
Loop border.
Sailor Knot
36 zigzag bands overlapping bottom and top border bands;
These go back and forth from middle pins to one side only.
36 zigzag bands overlapping bottom and top border bands;
These go back and forth from middle pins to other side only.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop top zigzag upwards, loop lower zigzag upwards, and loop border.
Team Spirit
68 connecting bands from center to sides.
These create X's centering on middle pins 2-18.
Place 2 bands into an upside down V first;
Then place 2 bands into a V with the same vertex to finish the X.
Repeat until final X reaches outer pin 18.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop 2 V bands (border), 2 upside down V bands forwards, and continue until middle is finished.
Loop remaining border.
Liberty Twist
Set up exactly like Team Spirit.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop 2 V bands (border).
Loop 2 outer border bands, 2 upside down V bands forwards, and 2 V bands.
Repeat pattern of 6 until finished.
Loop remaining 2 border bands.
Holiday
Set up exactly like Team Spirit.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop 2 V bands (border), 2 upside down V bands forwards, and 2 side border bands until finished.
You will end on 2 upside down V bands looped to the top center pin.
Starburst
102 center star bands
6 at a time, start with center pin 2 and move upwards to right outer pin 2.
Continue from same center pin, going clockwise.
6th band should connect center pin 2 to center pin 3.
Continue creating 6-band stars around even numbered center pins.
9 cap bands go even numbered center pins.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
Loop one star at a time, starting with closest center band.
The first band loops into the center and the rest loop outwards.
Star looping will move in a counter-clockwise pattern.
Once stars are finished, loop border.
Rock Candy
Rock Candy is exactly like Starburst,
But each star band has a quadruple cap band around its middle.
In addition to 102 center star bands,
You will need 102 (clear or sparkly) bands to make quadruple cap bands.
Form quadruple cap bands around hook and pull regular bands through.
Fen's Fantastic
86 connecting bands;
6 bands create a flower connecting bands from middle pin 2 to the pins surrounding it.
Place 6 bands from middle pin 2 extending outwards.
We will choose the following order: SW, S, SE, NW, N, NE.
5 bands form a flower connecting from middle pin 3.
Because this flower already has the S petal, place SW, SE, NW, N, and NE.
Continue adding 5 bands to each middle pin until bands reach top pins.
Apply cap band to final center pin and rotate loom.
To prepare for the repeating sequence, loop first two borders outwards and first center band forwards.
Starting with the first outer pegs, loop left up towards center, then right up towards center.
Loop center up towards left, center up towards right, and center forwards.
Loop 2 borders.
Repeat this 7-step pattern until bands reach top pins.
Arrow Stitch
18 center bands and 36 connecting bands;
18 vertical bands placed up center pins.
Stretch 2 connecting bands from center peg 1 all the way outer pegs 2;
Your last 2 connecting bands will stretch over the top of the border!
Rotate loom.
18 horizontal bands connecting outside pins 18-1;
Each horizontal band stretches downwards over nearest middle pin to create a triangle.
Note that first horizontal band will overlap top border.
No cap band needed.
Loop vertical center band up to center pin 18.
Loop 2 long V bands to center pin 18.
Continue with 3 loops onto center pin 17, and repeat until finished.
Loop border.
