How to Make a Fishtail Bracelet on the Rainbow Loom Without Losing Your Mind

Look, if you’ve ever stared at a pile of tiny rubber bands and felt a creeping sense of dread, you aren't alone. It’s a craft. It’s a fad that somehow never actually died. It’s also a giant mess waiting to happen. But learning how to make a fishtail bracelet on the rainbow loom is basically the "Hello World" of the rubber band world. If you can't do this, you're stuck making the basic single chain forever, and honestly, that’s just sad.

The fishtail is the classic. It’s chunky. It’s durable. It looks way more complicated than it actually is, which is the best kind of craft. You don’t need the fancy metal hook—though it helps—and you definitely don't need a PhD in engineering. You just need two pegs and a little bit of patience. Maybe a lot of patience if you have cats. Cats love stealing these bands.

The Gear You Actually Need (And What You Don’t)

Don't go out and buy a $50 "pro" kit just yet. Most of the stuff in those kits is filler. To get this done, you need your Rainbow Loom, a hook (plastic is fine, metal is better for your sanity), a handful of C-clips or S-clips, and about 40 to 60 rubber bands.

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Why 40 to 60? Because wrists vary. A kid's wrist might only need 35, but if you're making this for an adult, you'll be pushing 50+. Pro tip: stick to two or three colors for your first few tries. When you use ten different colors, it’s easy to lose track of the pattern, and suddenly your "masterpiece" looks like a rainbow threw up on your arm. Stick to a solid duo like black and neon green or maybe a classic navy and white.

The loom itself is just a base. For a fishtail, you only need two pegs. You can even use your fingers, but your circulation will hate you after ten minutes. Just use the loom.

Setting Up Your First Three Bands

This is where everyone messes up. Seriously. The first step is the only time you’re going to twist a band. If you twist them later, the whole thing gets wonky and tight in weird places.

Take your first band. Stretch it between two pegs, but twist it into a "figure 8" or an infinity symbol shape. This is your anchor. It’s the foundation. Without this twist, the whole bracelet just unspools the second you take it off the loom.

Now, place two more bands on top of that infinity shape. Do not twist these. They should just be regular circles sitting flat on the pegs. You should now have three bands on your two pegs: the twisted one at the bottom and two straight ones above it.

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The Rhythm of the Hook

This is the part that becomes a sort of zen meditation once you get it. You always work with the bottom band. Take your hook, grab the bottom-most band (the twisted one) from the outside of the peg, and pull it up over the top of the peg into the center. Do this for both sides of that bottom band.

Now, you have two bands left on the pegs.

Here is the golden rule of how to make a fishtail bracelet on the rainbow loom: You must always have three bands on the pegs before you loop. Since you just looped one, you need to add another straight band to the top.

1. Add a band (straight, no twist).
2. Pull the bottom band up and over into the middle.
3. Push the bands down to make room.
4. Repeat until you want to scream or the bracelet is long enough.

Common Mistakes That Ruin Everything

I’ve seen people get twenty minutes into a fishtail only to realize they skipped a step. If the bracelet looks "loose" or you see a giant loop of rubber hanging out the side, you probably forgot to add a band before looping the bottom one.

The tension matters. If you pull too hard on the hook, you might snap a band. If a band snaps in the middle of the process, it’s usually game over. You can try to surgical-fix it, but honestly, it’s usually faster to just restart. Also, make sure you are grabbing the very bottom band. Sometimes the bands get bunched up and you accidentally grab the middle one. If you do that, the pattern breaks, and the "fish scales" look jagged.

Tension and Length

How do you know when it’s done? Don't trust your eyes. The bracelet is under tension on the loom, so it looks longer than it actually is. Periodically, take the end of the bracelet (the part dangling under the loom) and wrap it around your wrist while it’s still attached.

If it meets the pegs, you’re good. If there's a gap, keep going. Most people stop too early and end up with a bracelet that cuts off their blood flow. Not a great look.

Finishing the Fishtail Without It Exploding

The end is the scariest part. You have two bands left on the pegs, and you’re ready to call it a day. Instead of adding a third band, just loop the bottom one over. Now you’re left with only one band on the pegs.

Carefully—and I mean carefully—transfer both loops of that final band onto one peg. Or, if you’re feeling brave, just slide your hook through both loops and lift it off. This is where your C-clip comes in.

Securing the Clip

Slide the C-clip or S-clip onto the two loops you just pulled off the loom. Once that’s secure, find the very first band you started with—the one you twisted into a figure 8. That loop should be hanging out at the bottom. Snap the other side of the C-clip onto that loop.

Boom. You have a fishtail.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Fishtails

Once you've mastered the standard, you can try the "Hexafish" or the "Inverted Fishtail." The inverted version is particularly cool because it looks like the scales are turned inside out, but it requires a much more specific hooking technique where you reach inside the middle band to grab the bottom one. It's a bit of a brain-teaser.

If you want a thicker look, you can also double up the bands. Use two bands every time you’re supposed to use one. It makes the bracelet massive and very sturdy, though it uses up your supplies twice as fast.

Actionable Tips for Better Looming

• Organize by color first: Don't dig through a bucket of mixed bands while you're working. You'll lose your rhythm. Sort out 50 bands before you start.
• Use a metal hook: The plastic ones that come in the cheap kits flex too much. A metal hook gives you way more control and won't snap when you're working with high-tension designs.
• Check for "cracked" bands: Cheap rubber bands dry out. If you see tiny white cracks on a band, throw it away. It will snap halfway through your bracelet.
• The "Pull" Test: Every few loops, gently tug the finished part of the bracelet from underneath the loom. This sets the stitches and ensures the tension is even throughout the whole piece.

Troubleshooting 101

If your bracelet looks like a tangled mess of knots instead of a sleek braid, check your starting point. You likely twisted more than just the first band. If the bracelet is "hollow" in the middle, you probably used a single-chain technique on a fishtail setup.

When you're learning how to make a fishtail bracelet on the rainbow loom, the biggest hurdle is just keeping the "three-band rule" in your head. Add one, loop one. Add one, loop one. It's a cycle. If you get distracted by a TV show or a text and forget where you are, count the bands on the peg. Two? Add one. Three? Get to looping.

Once you get the hang of it, you can finish one of these in about ten minutes. It’s a great way to use up those odd colors you have left over from more complex projects. Just remember to keep the tension consistent, or you'll end up with a bracelet that’s thick at one end and skinny at the other.

Next Steps for Your Looming Hobby

Now that the fishtail is in your repertoire, try experimenting with "striped" patterns by alternating colors every two bands instead of every single one. You can also slide beads onto your rubber bands before putting them on the loom to create a "beaded fishtail," which looks surprisingly high-end for something made of office supplies.

If you find that your wrists are getting irritated, check the material of your bands. High-quality silicone bands are generally better for sensitive skin than the cheaper latex-based ones found in discount bins. Always store your finished bracelets out of direct sunlight, as UV rays turn rubber bands brittle and sad in a matter of weeks.

To keep your loom in good shape, occasionally wash it with mild soap and water to remove the oils from your hands, which can make the pegs slippery and difficult to work with. Happy looming.

Practical Next Steps:

1. Sort your bands: Choose two contrasting colors and count out 25 of each to ensure a consistent pattern.
2. Inspect your loom: Ensure the pegs are facing "up" (the open side of the U-shape should be facing you) to make hooking easier.
3. Test the stretch: Pull on a few bands to make sure they aren't brittle or prone to snapping before you start the anchor twist.
4. Secure your clip: Have your C-clip sitting on the table next to you so you aren't fumbling for it when you reach the end of the chain.