Sue Quilliam is an artist and crafter that specialises in all things wool.

She runs the Glen Mooar Retreat, based in Tholt y Wyll which offers arts workshops and courses on felting, weaving and many other textiles crafts, and is also part of the ’Fibrespace’ collective of like-minded artists and wool crafters.

’I’ve spent many years doing crafts with wee ones but I must say the most joy has come from showing kids how to finger knit and how to make things like friendship bracelets,’ said Sue.

’Sometimes these simple crafts can be so calming in these difficult times.

’My grandchildren love making bracelets with anything, wool, string and shoelaces.’

Making a bracelet or braid.

Take two lengths of wool or string.

Holding both lengths together as one length of material, make a slip knot by forming a loop and, holding this loop with between your left thumb and index finger, make another loop by pulling the length through.

Hold onto the knot base with your left hand then lightly pull up the loop with your right hand until it cinches into a slip knot. Pull the long length yarn through the slip knot.

You have to pinch the long length, and bring it through to make another loop.

Don’t pull it all the way through, as this will stop it and the loop you need to carry on with will disappear.

You can pull the yarn all the way through at the end when the bracelet is the length you want. You repeat this process again and again until you have woven a chain.

In fact, it’s like a chain stitch if you were using a crochet hook, only you are using your fingers.

You could actually use your finger like a crochet hook by placing the slip knot over your finger before wrapping the yarn round then passing the bottom loop over the top loop then tighten up.

This is also known as Celtic knotwork, as the finished braid looks like inter-woven Celtic knot designs.

To make more interesting bracelets, you can use more than one colour yarn and add a button to one end to make a fastener.

You can turn the braids into a decorative hanging, with various bits and bobs, such as shells, charms, beads or whatever woven into them.

These friendship bracelets are wonderful things to make to send to people or to give to your friends when you see them next.

More details are available on the 'Fibrespace' Facebook page.