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How To Make A Paracord Bracelet

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Learn How To Make A Paracord Bracelet - Have Fun & Be Prepared At The Same Time

Every hiker, backpacker, camper or anyone who spends time outdoors knows that having extra cord handy is at the top of the list, and knowing how to make a paracord bracelet is common knowledge among this crowd. The uses for this extra cord can be many, and not having it when you need it most can be critical in some situations. Of course you can always simply wind up a section of cord and pack it away in case it's needed, but why not spend a few minutes learning how to make a paracord bracelet and some other useful items out of that same cord?

Most people who want to learn how to make a paracord bracelet simply like the way paracord bracelets and strands look... they ARE cool. Using a variety of colors and lengths you can get really creative. And there's really no limit to the things you can make and do with it, once you have the really simple process down. When my family is camping or backpacking we always take extra cordage and practice making different lengths or types of strands. Things we've made include key fobs, pack straps, knife lanyards, belts... on and on. Making a paracord bracelet is just the beginning of the many fun things you'll be able to create.

Contents at a Glance

Rope & Paracord Can Save Your Life
I Highly Recommend This Paracord For Bac...

How To Make a Paracord Bracelet Step 1
Great For Fundraisers
How To Make a Paracord Bracelet Step 2

There are many instances where having a length or rope or paracord could prove useful or even life saving. Nearly every hiker I know makes it a point to carry extra paracord in their packs or in the form of bracelets or other woven items. And you may know from my other articles that I think it's important to always fit family time into our daily lives and to find creative ways to do more together. This is another great opportunity to do something fun and creative with your family, teaching your kids (and yourself) a valuable skill. Whether at home or sitting in your camp, you can spend time together and make a paracord bracelet and other paracord items. The only limit is your imagination.

With that said let's dig in. To learn how to make a paracord bracelet you'll need to first get some quality paracord. Paracord is short for the parachute cord that was popularized when it began being used in U.S. military parachutes. The term you'll most often hear when discussing paracord bracelets is 550 cord, the term used in the military that refers to the cord used in parachutes and which is rated to hold up to 550 lbs per strand (there are plenty of second rate knock-offs that WILL NOT hold 550 lbs of weight per strand). Here's a spec sheet from Wikipedia that lists the ratings for various sizes of paracord as used by the military, and an image that shows what "real" 550 paracord should look like (it's a single cord made up of 7 individual cords inside, and each of those 7 is made up of 3 individual strands):

Paracord Specifications

Paracord Components

Why do you care? If you will never rely on your cord (or braided products) for weight bearing, then it won't matter. But if you're thinking of using these for your camping or backpacking outings then you should take the extra effort and have the peace of mind in knowing that your cord can hold your weight should the need ever arise. Beware, there are a LOT of sellers claiming their product is 550 Paracord and unfortunately a lot of it is not.

I Highly Recommend This Paracord For Backpackers & Campers

Due To The Reflective Tracers Woven In

This is genuine Mil-Spec 550 Paracord and the reflective tracers woven into the strands make it great for backpackers, campers, and for really cool bracelets and other braided gear. When you're ready to make a Paracord Bracelet this is top notch cord. Tip - use something cheaper for learning how to make a paracord bracelet and save this for your final projects.

How To Make a Paracord Bracelet Step 1

To begin you will first determine what you're going to be making. In our example we're learning how to make a Paracord Bracelet so we know what length we'll need to start with. If you're making something else then you'll have to experiment a little to get the proper lengths. Fortunately paracord is relatively cheap so if you know you're going to be experimenting or teaching others then buy the cheapest paracord you can find, and only use the real stuff for the final product.

Note: When cutting paracord it will unravel and the cover will slip from the internal strands, so once you cut the cord have a lighter handy to "singe" the cut ends, which melts the inner and outer pieces together on the tips. Be careful, though, the melted nylon stays hot for a bit!

For our example paracord bracelet you'll cut two lengths of cord- one 8 foot length (red cord in our example) and one 2 foot length (black cord in our example), then lay them out as pictured above. The 8 foot section will stretch out in front of you left to right, and the 2 foot section is folded in half and laid flat on top of the longer section.

What we're going to be doing is creating a Cobra Knot repeatedly to create the visual design, and in effect "store" the cord for easy carry. That is, rather than carrying a wadded up section of paracord you simply carry it on your wrist. The original idea was that if you ever need cord you could simply undo the bracelet (or other object you've made) and have the cord ready to go.

To make a Paracord Bracelet using a Cobra Knot you'll be repeating reversing moves; there are essentially just two movements, one from left and one from right, so once you have them down the process is really simple. We're using red and black cord in our example for better visibility. So here we go.

With the cord laid out in front of you as shown above, grasp the longer section (red) on the right side and lay it on TOP of the small section (black) of cord as shown, creating a "Z" (hopefully your Z looks better than mine!).

Paracord Bracelet 2

Now grasp the left side of the longer strand and thread the end over and through the first loop (bottom left) of the "Z" and UNDER the small strand then back out through the second loop of the "Z" (top right).

Paracord Bracelet 3

Now simply pull on both ends of the longer strand to gently tighten the knot up. Early on you'll have to adjust the knot and cord as you go to keep them nicely aligned. This is how it should look at the end of this first step. Yours should be a little more snug than the picture shows.

Great For Fundraisers

You can make these to sell as a side business (lots of people do), or to make and sell for your group or organization. They're particularly great for school and church fundraisers because local residents are happy to pay $5 - $10 for these to show their support, and you can get the group members to make these pretty quick and easy once they have the technique down. If using as a school fundraiser simply order the cord in the school's colors and you're all set! Make a paracord bracelet today!

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Check Out This Awesome Survival Related Website

If you're like me and believe in Emergency Preparedness or just like all things camping and survival related then you'll like this site, too.

How To Make a Paracord Bracelet Step 2

Now, moving on to step 2 of learning how to make a Paracord Bracelet. Grasp the longer section of the cord (red) on the left side and lay it on TOP of the small section of cord as shown below, creating an "S". The first step outlined earlier involved laying the cord out in a Z shape. This time lay it across in an "S" shape... these two steps will be used throughout the entire process regardless of what you're making. Z, S, Z, S, Z, S...

Paracord Bracelet 5

Now we'll reverse the procedure from step one and grasp the right side of the longer strand and thread the end over and through the first loop (bottom right) of the "S" and UNDER the small strand (black) then back out through the second loop of the "S" (top left), as shown below.

Paracord Bracelet 6

Once again you will gently pull both ends of the long strand (red) to tighten the knot. When you are done it should look like the two images below.

Paracord Bracelet 7

Paracord Bracelet 8

That is essentially ALL there is to braiding with paracord. You will repeat those two steps as many times as needed, again depending on what you're making and how long you want it to be. When you finish braiding and have reached the length you want, tie a simple knot in the bottom of the short strand (black cord in our example). This knot will let you fasten the bracelet around your wrist, hooking it into the loop at the top, and will also serve to stop the braid from unraveling in other projects. It's easier than you thought to make a Paracord Bracelet isn't it?

Paracord Bracelet 9

Paracord Bracelet 10

Paracord Bracelet 11

Once you completed the bracelet and are happy with it, cut off the excess cord and using a lighter singe the ends so they don't fray. Some people leave the strands and using a very small needle nose pliers or other tool work the excess back up into the woven bracelet for a much nicer and more finished look. Either way will work fine for the purposes of a survival paracord bracelet. You can also add any hardware you want to before you start braiding by simply looping the short strand through the object. For example, we attached a braided segment on a camping knife as seen below.

Paracord Bracelet 12

Paracord Bracelet 13

Now you have learned how to make a Paracord Bracelet and can hone your skills and do even more, use different color paracord, expand your skills using different knots and weaves... there's no limit to the great things you can create and the fun you can have.

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Monkey Fist How To

There are so many things that you can do with braided cord once you've learned how to make a Paracord Bracelet, and one of them that I like is making a Monkey Fist. While it is different than the braiding we used above, its still a simple process you can master in no time. Especially great for women, a braided Monkey Fist is, by day, just an add-on for your keys or flashlight that you carry in your purse. By night it can be a potent self defense tool. At the very least it's a great conversation piece and again, something creative to do with your family.

Here's a great video outlining how to make these Monkey Fists using the same cord we've used to make our bracelets.

How To Make a Paracord Monkeyfist Keychain: by OTEP1234567891011 | video info

535 ratings | 268,903 views

Most commonly asked questions: "Do I have to use a ballbearing?" -No. No you do not. Having a perfectly spherical object in the center makes for a better looking monkey's fist, as it allow for the paracord to have something to form around. In fact, it doesn't have to even be something spherical. It can be a roundish rock, a balled up piece of paper, or even a large fishing-line sinker. You can get marbles and "hobby balls" (no, not my balls, wooden balls used for small projects) at Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart and other crafting stores. "Where can I find paracord/550 cord/that cord that you're using?" -You can find 550 paracord at most military surplus stores. Even some hunting stores will sale "550 paracord", but be careful. When shopping for 550 cord, it must be rated for 550 pounds and contain 7 inner strands of braided nylon. Paracord is 100% Nylon (with the exception of a few manufactures who replace one or two of the inner strands with Kevlar ones). I also recommend shopping at "thesupplycaptain", an online paracord seller who, in my opinion, makes the best quality paracord. "Would these make good self-defense keychains?" -No. The mass of the keys, usually, weigh more than the monkey's fist itself. Furthermore, if you're carrying many EDC object with you (such as a CountyComm Micro Pry Bar), then your keys would do much more damage than the actual monkey's fist. Regardless, neither the monkey's fist nor the keys make for a safe, controlled means of self-defense. I, personally, believe that a kubaton would do much better on your keys than a monkey's fist, if your main priority is self-defense. "What are monkey's fists used for?" -I can't give a definitive answer, so I'll just say what I use mine for. I use mine for my keys, as it makes it easier to pull them out of your pocket. Smaller ones I use for zipper-pulls, knife lanyards, and even bookmarks. People also love them as gifts, which is what I've been mainly using them for here lately. They will see you as Zeus if you give them a monkey's fist. "How much cordage do you start with?" -I start with approximately 2 meters (about 6 feet). This amount was used for a 4 pass monkey's fist with a center of 3/4". "Is your favorite word "distorted?"" -No. I guess I'm just retarded, I don't know. I made this impromptu. Cut me some slack. "My fingers hurt after this. Is that normal?" -Yes. If you keep doing it, they will get used to it. Suck it up. "What is paracord?" -It used to be used by the United States Military for parachutes, but since the 90's, many manufacturers have swapped to Kevlar-based paracord. Nylon-based paracord is now mainly used for utility purposes. "Will you make me a monkey's fist?". -No. If any more questions begin to surface, I will add them here so others can benefit. If you have any other questions, post it in the comments as well as sending it to me in a message. Happy tying, Hatfield

curated content from YouTube

The Monkey Fist In Action

Take a look, you'll quickly see why the Monkey Fist, properly made and with a steel ball inside, is an awesome self defense weapon. Of course the model shown in this video has an apparently long leader so it has much more momentum, but in general it's an incredible tool to have.

Monkey Fist On Amazon

If you just want to buy some of these (instead of making them) for the loved ones in your life then here you go. They are definitely worth the price for the added peace of mind. But you can still make a paracord bracelet on your own, right?

Expanding Your Skills With the Cobra Knot

Here's a good video which shows you how to expand on the Cobra Knot (referred to in the video as the Solomon Bar - they're the same knot). The technique he uses in the video to attach the brass (or hardware) can also be used when you make a Paracord Bracelet like we're demonstrating above. You would simply loop the small black segment of cord from our example above around whatever fastener you want to use on the bracelet, whether it be a metal clasp or plastic buckle. Once you know how to braid these you can get really creative and make some nice gear, but I would urge you to get the basics down (master how to make a Paracord Bracelet) first so you don't get overwhelmed and quit! ;) Have fun!

If you like braiding and want to learn more, these will definitely help.

The Ashley Book of Knots takes us back to a time when knots saved lives and put dinner on the table. Whether out at sea or in a pioneer cabin, knots were a part of daily life, one that is nearly lost today. But in this attractive, well-organized archive of more than 3,900 different knots--presented through 7,000 illustrations--the art of knot tying lives on, both as a historical reference and a reservoir of handy knowledge. Considered by many to be the Knot Bible.

The Complete Book of Decorative Knots is a very handy guidebook that includes eighty ornamental and useful knots with easy-to-follow; with step-by-step illustrations. An excellent resource for the beginner to expand their abilities.

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I REALLY enjoy your feedback so please leave a comment if you enjoyed learning how to make a Paracord Bracelet. Many thanks.

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ddixonart May 30, 2012 @ 10:14 pm | delete

I made my first (and 2nd) paracord bracelets today! Great lens.

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Frankster May 30, 2012 @ 9:29 am | delete

Excellent. I love learning how to do creative and practical things like this. Thanks for sharing. Blessed. Bear hugs, Frankster

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richard May 20, 2012 @ 1:57 am | delete

I love everything military surplus so another use for paracord is always a good idea - particularly when it is a fun idea

Reply

Bill Apr 5, 2012 @ 12:03 pm | delete

Great step by step instructions!! I completed my desert camo bracelet last night and a woodland green camo this morning. It only took me literally 10-15 minutes to make both bracelets. Thank You again

Reply

bookwormlaser Apr 2, 2012 @ 8:24 pm | delete

Great pictures. Inspiring me to finely get in gear and make a few myself. Thanks

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goodee Mar 31, 2012 @ 2:58 pm | delete

This is great! I love to backpack, so it is great to be able to make these myself now.

Reply

Hagglecoins Mar 9, 2012 @ 12:06 pm | delete

I've tried this in the past through vids on youtube, and struggled. Thanks for the step-by-step pics, they REALLY helped me finally get my first one made!

Reply

JoshK47 Feb 4, 2012 @ 10:32 am | delete

Great information! Thanks for sharing it, and sharing it extremely well, to boot. Blessed by a SquidAngel!

Reply

WriterJanis Feb 4, 2012 @ 2:52 am | delete

Wonder instructions and a great idea.

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daedrea Feb 3, 2012 @ 4:47 pm | delete

lovet this lense! Very creative. This is great to link to on my next lens. :)

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Blessedmombygrace Feb 2, 2012 @ 7:51 pm | delete

Very cool. Blessed.

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KitandCaboodle Feb 2, 2012 @ 7:43 pm | delete

I really like this idea. We hike occasionally. This would be great to have on hand (wrist) in case of emergency.

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Sylvestermouse Feb 1, 2012 @ 5:30 pm | delete

Well now, this is just down right awesome! I need to make several of these. I have a couple of mountain climbing brothers and we all hike. Really, really awesome!

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RenaissanceWoman2010 Jan 26, 2012 @ 7:56 pm | delete

I had been wanting to make a paracord bracelet so your instructions were very helpful. Thank you for these important survival resources. I did not know about the monkey fist. Looks like a great self defense weapon.

Reply

spartakct Jan 23, 2012 @ 9:00 pm | delete

Great lens!

Reply

Tipi Jan 13, 2012 @ 1:53 am | delete

How very cool and functional with great instruction for others to successfully make a paracord bracelet! Blessed.

Reply

paperfacets Dec 31, 2011 @ 8:24 pm | delete

Knots are as fascinating as folded paper.

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How To Make A Paracord Bracelet

Learn How To Make A Paracord Bracelet - Have Fun & Be Prepared At The Same Time

Contents at a Glance

Contents at a Glance

Rope & Paracord Can Save Your Life

I Highly Recommend This Paracord For Backpackers & Campers

Due To The Reflective Tracers Woven In

How To Make a Paracord Bracelet Step 1

Great For Fundraisers

Leatherman 830850 Skeletool CX Multitool

How To Make a Paracord Bracelet Step 2

Show Me The Love

Monkey Fist How To

The Monkey Fist In Action

Monkey Fist On Amazon

Expanding Your Skills With the Cobra Knot

If you like braiding and want to learn more, these will definitely help.

Featured Lenses Others Have Enjoyed

Sharing Is Caring

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