How to Make a Turkish Paracord

Paracord is thin but strong.

A Turkish knot---also known as a Turk's head knot---is named after its resemblance to the turbans worn by members of the Ottoman Turk empire. Tying knots with Paracord is a technique used to carry a large amount of Paracord in a small space. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, Paracord is a strong cord without being prohibitively heavy to carry which can be used for everything from setting traps to hanging shelter.

Things You'll Need

• Cylindrical item
• Paracord
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Pull out about 10 feet of Paracord to use as the working or cut end. Wrap the cord around your cylindrical object from front to back, then cross the working end over the rest of the cord.

2. Pass the working end around the cylinder a second time.

3. Pass the working end over the second wrap around the cylinder and under the first wrap.

4. Spin the cylinder toward you so that the threading end is on the bottom of the cylinder, and you see two parallel loops around the cylinder.

5. Pull the parallel loop opposite the end where the threading end is hanging down over the other parallel loop, creating an eye between the loops.

6. Thread the end through the eye, over the loop which has been pulled over and under the loop that was not, to complete the Turkish knot.

7. Repeat the weave as needed until all of the cord you wish to wrap is tied in one knot, then cut off any excess cord.

Tips & Warnings

• When repeating the weave, continue wrapping the cord directly next to the previous iteration, starting with the two loops around the cylinder, then over-and-under and so on through the progression. Any sections which would be passing over another part of the cord should pass over that part of the cord for the current iteration and all previous iterations, and all sections which pass under another section of cord must be threaded under the cord from the current iteration and all previous iterations.

References

• Folsom's: How to Tie a Turk's Head