The Chevron Julia Reel

The Chevron was always my favorite. A basic V-shaped design, it is one of the first patterns that a novice would learn. Most beginners are quick to move on from the Chevron upon its mastery and proceed to designs that are more complex. But even after learning the labyrinthine patterns that gave way to smiley face and yin-yang designs, I remained captivated by its perfectly aligned knots and the beautiful balance that its symmetrical design embodies.I was introduced to knot-tying skills and various beginner patterns of string friendship bracelets at age ten. After learning the Chevron, I created countless bracelets, always striving to tie each knot as symmetrically as possible. Before long, my drawers were overflowing with flawless Chevrons, and bracelets were stacked on my wrist like books assembled on a library shelf.

As I became more advanced, I found that my passion for making bracelets stemmed from so much more than simply tying knots in a trivial routine. When I first embarked on my bracelet-making endeavors, I was just beginning to learn to navigate the classically awkward stages of middle school. Making bracelets became my escape. It gave me the opportunity to break apart from a stressful world outside and find a sense...