Making a Paracord Bracelet , Part One The Lanyard Knot

Over at Bushcraft USA they have a Bushclass, one of the class electives was to make a cobra weave paracord bracelet. Now I'm not a knot tying genius and after getting through the first one it is quite easy and a lot of fun, giving you a convenient way to carry at least 8 feet or more of usable paracord on your wrist depending on the style. There are many different variations on how a bracelet is made with different weaves and buckles and knots, but this is the method I'm currently using as it is functional and simple.

As a picture is worth a thousand words I tried to set up the knots so that they can be done by following the different colored cordage in the order that I make them in with measurements of the cut pieces to minimize waste.

The Two cut lengths are
28" inches for the wrist lanyard
8' feet 2 1/2" for the cobra weave

Starting with the 28" piece you tie a lanyard knot in the end, I like this knot as it makes a nice looking round ball to use as the "button".

The free end of the paracord passes underneath the standing part forming an underhand loop.

The other end passes under the orange  loop you've made, around the free end  and goes over under over.

To make this easier I rotate the work slightly to get the free ends to pass over their opposite standing ends.

And up through the center.

This is the underside of the knot showing how the free ends come up through the center.

This is the finished knot, don't pull it up tight yet as it can be reworked to adjust to your wrist size.








Once you get the knot done you can adjust it to your wrist size by adjusting the strands of the knot, keep in mind that you want it a little large as some of the diameter is reduced by the cobra weave. I also make final adjustments after I'm finished with the cobra weave before pulling it tight
  

Part two, The Cobra Weave


Stay Safe
Bob

Making a Paracord Bracelet , Part Two The Cobra Weave

 In Part One The lanyard Knot we started off with making the piece around the wrist.

Now that you have the wrist loop made and approximately sized you start your cobra weave with your 8 foot piece of cord.

I find it easier if you place a caribiner in the end of the loop, it give you a way to hold it and push the knots up against as you work.

Fold your 8 foot piece in half and you lanyard goes in between the two at the loop.

Take the top (green) over the orange.

And underneath your lanyard.

And up through the loop from behind.

It should look like this, pull this tight and push it against the caribiner.

The pencil points to the loop formed by your knot, this is the side you place on top of the lanyard.

The other end goes over top.

Underneath and up through the loop.

And the process alternates and repeats itself

As I work I try to keep the weave pushed up tight to the previous knots

Once I Have the cobra weave about half an inch away from the lanyard knot I try it on to check the fit, make any adjustments and tighten the lanyard knot.

I pull the last cobra weave knot tight and cut off  the free ends leaving about 1/4" then melt it with a flame, I also trim and melt the free ends of the lanyard knot at this time. I usually wait a second or so before pushing the molten nylon  against the bracelet.








I hope my tutorial is clear and with a little over 10 feet of paracord you can make your own, there are also many variations of weaves and tutorials on this subject on the internet and it is quite an addictive hobby once you get started.









Stay Safe
Bob