How to Do a Rounded Snake Weave

Paracord features a nylon cover and is available in a variety colors.

Paracord weaving is a method of tying one or more pieces of paracord to create a braided lanyard. Paracord is a cord which contains seven inner strands and a nylon sheath and is rated to hold several hundred pounds of weight, making it ideal survival cord. The snake weave combines two pieces of paracord together to create a round braid that is cylindrical when repeated. Once tied, the braid can be hooked on a carabiner, a metal clip that locks to prevent the ring and its contents from falling, and hung off the strap of a backpack for hiking or camping in the woods.

Things You'll Need

• 2 paracord strands
• Lighter
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Melt one end of one of the paracord strands by holding a lighter under the end and then pinching the end down with light swipes of the thumb and index finger around the perimeter of the cord. Do not simply grab the end and pinch once firmly between both fingers. The multiple light, swiping pinches protects you from the heat and creates a tapered point as opposed to a wide, flat end. This is cord A.

2. Melt both ends of the other cord, cord B.

3. Pinch the interior fibers of cord A, then pull back the outer sheath to reveal 1/2 inch of the core fibers, and cut off the fibers. This creates a short hollow section.

4. Insert one melted end of cord B into the hollowed-out section of cord A, then melt around the perimeter of the overlapping section with the lighter. This will join the two cords.

5. Hold the cords with the joined section pointing up and cord B hanging down as the right loose end; then pass cord B behind cord A and around back in front of cord A and across itself. This creates two loops: a small loop made from the part of cord B wrapped around cord A, and a larger loop between the joined section and where cord B is passed behind cord A.

6. Weave cord A in front of the loose end of cord B, then through the large loop and the small loop from behind.

7. Pull on the two loose ends to tighten the first knot.

8. Pass cord B behind cord A, then loosen the loop in the prior knot made from cord A and pass cord B through the loop. Pull the knot tight.

9. Rotate the knot 180 degrees so cord A is on the right.

10. Pass cord A behind cord B, loosen the lowest loop of cord B, pass cord A through the loop and pull tight.

11. Repeat the weave, first rotating 180 degrees, then wrapping the new right loose end behind the other cord and through the last loop in the other cord and pulling tight, until your braid is as long as desired.

12. Snip the loose ends of cord with scissors and melt the ends with a lighter to secure the braid.

References

• Knot of the Week: Snake Knot