Step-by-Step Instructions for a Paracord
A single piece of Paracord 550 is capable of holding more than 500 pounds of hanging weight without breaking, but it is able to do more than just hold back parachutes. A bracelet made out of paracord is a survivalist's accessory. By wearing one you will have a few feet of usable parachute cord on you at all times; cut a length off the end and use it tie something.
Things You'll Need
- 2 1/2-foot length of black paracord
- 5-foot length of red paracord
- Scissors or utility knife
- Lighter
- Gloves
- 5-foot length of blue paracord
- 1/2-inch rod, strip of wood or dowel
Instructions
-
-
1
Fold the 2 1/2-inch length of paracord in half and tie both ends of the cord into a knot about 1 1/2 inches from the loose ends. Make a double knot to keep the cord tied tightly together.
-
2
Trim the last 1/2 inch of the red paracord cleanly with your utility knife; the end of the paracord should be as smooth as possible. Torch the end of this cut for a few seconds with a lighter. Lick your thumb and forefinger or wear gloves as you quickly rub the end of the torched paracord to shape it into a slight point. The paracord will be hot. Allow it to cool for a few seconds.
-
-
3
Tug the core on the inside of the blue piece of paracord so that the white interior pulls out slightly. The blue exterior of the cord may bunch up outside. Pull out about an inch of the core and cut off just the white part. Pull the paracord straight. The inch-long section you have just de-cored will feel flat.
-
4
Insert the end of the red paracord inside the de-cored end of the blue paracord. Torch the area where the two cords meet with your lighter. Dab them again using your fingers or gloves to melt the ends of the blue paracord to the body of the red.
-
5
Place the joined paracord on your work surface with the red section on your right. Place the loop at the bottom of your black lanyard over the join, so that the join itself is between the two black lengths of paracord.
-
6
Push your rod, dowel or wood strip through the top of the paracord loop over the joined paracord.
-
7
Bring the red piece of paracord to the left, over the black piece of paracord. This creates a loop on the right side of the paracord bracelet.
-
8
Bring the blue piece of paracord down, over the red piece and then under the black piece. Tuck the end of the blue paracord through the red loop on the right. Pull both ends of the paracord to make it tight.
-
9
Bring the red piece of the paracord across to the left, over the black paracord. Bring the blue paracord over the red, under the black and through the red loop on the left side this time.
-
10
Repeat the looping process until you are about 1/2 inch from the knot at the end of the black loop. Pull the cord tight between each knot.
-
11
Cut the ends of the blue and red paracord to about 1/4 inch from the body of the bracelet using the utility knife. Torch the ends of the paracord to finish the knot. Repeat with the ends of the knot on the black cord.
-
12
Wrap the bracelet around your wrist and push the knot through the 1/2-inch loop on the cord.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use different colors on your version of the bracelet. The paracord labeled as black will not be seen when the bracelet is finished. The blue becomes the outer layer of the design and the red is the interior of the design.
Torch the paracord for only a few seconds at a time so that you don't set it on fire.
