People with wild imagination and creative potential have the opportunity to make things out of nothing and give things a second life. Today, preference is given to durable materials that will not fail at the right time. One of these is considered to be paracord - a universal, strong rope that has found application in many areas. It weighs practically nothing, has a core, and thanks to it reliability is ensured. Today it has become very fashionable among needlewomen to weave bracelets from this rope. Many different articles and master classes are devoted to this creative process.
When you have a desire and some free time, why not channel it in the right direction and create a watch bracelet with your own hands.
Weaving a paracord bracelet: master class
As already mentioned, strong nylon rope, from which watch bracelets are woven, is also called a survival strap in life, because a 3.5-meter long paracord rope can withstand a weight of a little more than 200 kg. This is how useful it is sometimes to have such a miracle bracelet with you, which is absolutely simple to make.
To create it you will need very little free time, an element with a dial, 1.5 meters of paracord, scissors, a ruler or tape measure, a lighter for processing the ends, a plastic and surgical clip.
To better understand the process, you can first watch a video that demonstrates in detail the sequence of work.
Weaving algorithm
Before starting the main work, measure your wrist to get your bearings and have an idea of what size your bracelet will be.
- We fold a 1.5 meter long piece in half and fix one part of the fastener, holding the ends of the rope together, and pull the buckle through the center of the lace to make a knot.
- We pass the clock mechanism through the cables and place it in the middle of the future bracelet. Refer to your wrist measurements. To do this, take the beginning of the tape measure, set aside the diameter of the wrist, position the workpiece so that one end with the clasp is at mark 0, and stretch the other free end to the opposite side. Add 1.5 cm to make it easier to fasten the finished product.
- We begin to weave special knots, which have several names - cobra, Solomon bar, we will do this from left to right. We take the left lace and thread it through the central part of the guide cables located between the ends of the fastener. Then we pass the right lace through the resulting knot from the left one.
- We strongly pull the ends of the rope in opposite directions to tighten them well. We do the same with the right lace. As a result, after the second turn, you should get a pronounced knot.
- Next, we repeat the procedure, alternating the sequence. If it is broken, the bracelet will begin to twist to one side.
- Following the algorithm described above, continue weaving knots until you reach the second element of the fastener. Take your time, do everything very carefully. When creating a new knot, hold the previous one so that the turns are the same size. Once you finish weaving the bracelet, you will need to cut the ends of the laces with scissors, as shown in the photo. Using a lighter or other fire source, trim the edges to prevent the paracord from unraveling.
If the work was done correctly, as the instructions stated, then the result should please you. The very first bracelet may not work out or not live up to expectations. Remember that with each new product you gain experience, hone your skills, and get better at it. Don’t be afraid to experiment, use laces of different colors, based on existing designs, create your own. Make sketches on paper in advance, as the diagram will always help you navigate at the right time.
Other options for weaving paracord bracelets
Paracord bracelets can be made without a fastener, then the ends of the finished strap are tied together and hidden inside the weave.
The main thing you need to know and be able to do in order to get a variety of accessories is to master the basic patterns of knots, from which it will then be easy to create interesting, original, designer things. The most common types of nodes are:
- Diamond or Diamond knot;
- Chinese clover or four leaf clover;
- Lanyard knot;
- Monkey fist.
Paracord weaving is a truly exciting craft. At first glance, you won’t believe that such beautiful gifts as wrist bracelets are created from ordinary packaging rope. They are especially popular with men who prefer fishing and hunting, since the durable material of the strap can help in unforeseen situations during a hike.
Video on the topic of the article
Paracord is a lightweight cord made of polymer. Initially used in parachute lines and for military purposes, it later became widespread among the civilian population. Now it is widespread in EDC (every day carry), paracord bracelets, which are also called “survival bracelets,” are very popular - they unravel easily and allow you to quickly get up to four meters of strong rope.
Before World War II, paracord was used by airborne troops, although all types of troops had access to it. It was only after the war that it was applied to other areas of life through the sale of military surplus to civilians. Later, civilian cords, also called paracord, were introduced, but they may not meet the original standards for color, strength, or construction. Poor quality analogues may have fewer threads in the core and braid or are not made of nylon.
Paracord is often used for:
- for weaving accessories (belts, bracelets, lanyards, etc.);
- for tying cargo;
- securing equipment.
10.5 meters of paracord were even used when astronauts repaired the Hubble Space Telescope.
Separately, the core and sheath threads are used when a thin, strong thread or less elastic cable is needed, for example, for mending clothes, as fishing line or shoe laces. The undoubted advantage of this cord is that nylon does not rot or mold.
How to spot a fake
Due to the increased demand for paracord, there are a huge number of ordinary cords on the market that resemble the original only in appearance, but bear the same name. Of course, they have completely different properties, and if you have to use the rope for its intended purpose (to tie something, for example), then it will easily let the owner down. To avoid disappointment with the cord, you need to know how to choose real paracord.
It is usually produced in the USA, the most famous brand is Rothco. Of course, they can write whatever they want on a fake brand, so you shouldn’t rely on that alone.
Here are the most characteristic signs:
If the cord is purchased not only for weaving, but also for its intended use, you should pay attention to breaking weight parameter. Chinese analogues usually withstand up to one hundred kilograms, but the average weight is considered to be up to 250. You can ask the seller for a certificate of conformity, which is necessarily attached to wholesale quantities.
Weaving patterns
The pattern for weaving a paracord survival bracelet should allow you to quickly unravel the cord. Of course, such a bracelet should be made from one whole rope, and not from several small ones.
You can knit anything you want from paracord with your own hands, because the instructions and diagrams are quite detailed. You can also make a “machine” for fastening threads yourself, for example, as shown in the first picture: you need to take a paper clip and attach it to the surface with tape or glue. If a special board is used for weaving, you can even attach it with a nail. This is a simple and convenient option, and it will also allow you to weave anywhere you can attach a clamp.
You can weave a two-color paracord bracelet in a simple way. Cords of the same color will do, but it is advisable to take different ones, then it will look more beautiful. First measure the volume of your hand. For men, on average, 20−22 cm, for women - 16−18, but it is more reliable, of course, to measure. Then you need to measure two threads of each color, leaving 1-2 cm in reserve, and weave around them. It is best not to cut, but to place the threads as shown in the sixth picture.
In order to weave a bracelet according to the second pattern, you need to fuse four different colors. Paracord melts easily, so this will be easy. In this case, the length is the black threads. This is also a simple weave, so getting such a bracelet will not be difficult.
The simplest weaving, often used in macrame. It is called "cobra" or "Solomon's stripe". The bracelet will turn out to be one color, but the cords that show the length will be visible if the braid is loose, so you can take them in a different color. To make a two-color one, you need to use two different threads, folding them so that the short ends form the length and the long ends form the braid.
The advantages of this option In addition to its simplicity, it also means that the bracelet can be quickly unraveled if necessary. It is better to use twist fasteners for it, because the fastex will have to be broken before unraveling.
This type of weaving (green picture) is called a snake. It is more complicated, but anyone can figure it out by looking at the diagram. It requires one long cord; how to indicate the length is shown in the third and fourth pictures.
In this case, the length of the bracelet is formed from the same thread from which it is woven, so on average you will need 10 meters.
As you can see in the diagrams, in order to use the fastener, you need to start weaving with it. There are different types of fasteners, you can take a carabiner, fastex, as shown in the diagram, or come up with something of your own. Fasteners in the form of an anchor are very popular, they are called that. You need to weave an anchor on one side of the bracelet, and leave a loop on the other to thread it through and close it.
The size of even the smallest clasp must be taken into account when measuring the threads that indicate the length, because if you leave it completely and then weave in additional elements, the bracelet will simply turn out to be large and will fall off.
This is also a single thread weave. You can make a lanyard for a knife in the same way. The bend in the first picture is the length of the bracelet.
There is a Paracord Extreme braiding kit designed for children. You can weave it according to any pattern, but you need to take into account that the length of each of the two cords included in the set is only 220 cm. Therefore, if the bracelet is intended for an adult, it is better to use options that do not require long threads. In addition to the paracord, it includes a compass and two locks.
The diameter of the laces in the set is only 3 mm, so it will be convenient to make a watch strap from them.
You can weave a paracord bracelet using any of the suggested methods, but you can also come up with weaving yourself by soldering different colors and using various techniques. In addition, you can weave small details into the bracelet at your discretion.
Paracord bracelets, also called survival bracelets, are made from strong parachute cord. Paracord consists of numerous intertwined strands of nylon with a core. If you divide it into two parts, you can see that under the outer shell of intertwined threads, inside there is a light cable woven from several single cords, each of which consists of many interwoven fibers.
Bracelet with rivet
Why is a bracelet woven from paracord thread called a “survival bracelet”? The thing is that, if you get into an extreme situation, it easily unravels, turning into a strong rope, indispensable for many purposes. In addition, a paracord survival bracelet can be woven into a variety of necessary outdoor gear that can help out at the most necessary moment. Therefore, a paracord bracelet is an indispensable assistant for all tourists and extreme sports enthusiasts, which in everyday life looks like an original decoration.
The bracelet can be unwoven in a few seconds to be used for its intended purpose. There are many purposes for use:
- Medical care: rope and its fibers can be used as a hemostatic tourniquet, a splint for applying to a broken limb, dental floss, and can also be used to stitch wounds and make stretchers.
- Foraging for food. Paracord fibers are used as fishing line, bow string, making traps, hanging food or bait.
- Repair of clothes, tools. Used to sew up clothes, bandage shoes, tie up pants, and replace shoelaces. It is an indispensable thing when repairing equipment, bandaging parts of any structures, making handles for bags and other devices for transporting objects and things.
- Survival. It is used in the manufacture of weapons: rewinding handles, fixing the tip to an arrow or spear, and also as a bowstring in the manufacture of a crossbow for hunting. An indispensable thing when creating and securing parts of a shelter, tying the logs of a raft, making snowshoes, making fire. To start a fire, you can use flammable individual paracord fibers or use it as a bow string when starting fire by friction.
- Other purposes that can be achieved in everyday life: use as a cable for a car, a collar for animals, handcuffs, securing a load to a car, a sled, as well as paracord for drying clothes and as a rope ladder.
It should be taken into account that paracord is not used for dynamic loads, i.e. not suitable for any actions with the weight of a person (descent and ascent of a mountain, mountaineering, etc.).
DIY paracord survival bracelets
Bracelet made of quality material To make a paracord bracelet with your own hands, you will need from 2 to 5 or more meters of this thread, depending on the width of your wrist. As a rule, there are 1-2 meters of thread per 10 cm bracelet. In addition, you will need: a fastener, a lighter to burn the ends of the thread from unraveling, tweezers and scissors. In addition to a bracelet, paracord can be used to weave a watch strap, keychain, belt, and other accessories.
Survival Bracelet: Weave
There are many patterns on how to weave a bracelet. Each of them has its own pros and cons, but the main requirement is that the rope must unravel easily in a few seconds. With any weaving pattern, the survival bracelet should fit comfortably on the hand and have a flat shape.
How to make your own survival bracelet? You need to follow the instructions:
- The ends of the rope must be burned with fire to prevent unraveling.
- Four loops are made in the slot of the fastener.
- You need to make a loop from the long piece of paracord by pulling it through the first four.
- It extends about 5 cm, and tightens from right to left.
- Four loops need to be slightly loosened, then, using tweezers, pull out three more loops between each of them, leaving the fourth on the side.
- The loops need to be turned so that their left parts are in front.
- The cord is threaded through four loops, as in step 3.
- To complete the first row, you need to tighten the loops from right to left. Do not tighten them too tightly or twist them, this can ruin the appearance.
- Steps 3,4,5 should be repeated until the required bracelet length is reached.
- Once the desired length is reached, you need to pull the running cord through the last row. Its end should be on the right. You need to make gaps between the loops, and three more loops around the back of the fastener.
- You need to finish the weaving by pulling the end of the rope through the loop, then cauterize it or tie it in a knot. The last option is more convenient when untying.
To unravel the bracelet, you need to untie the knot, remove the clasps and pull the end of the paracord out of the outer four loops. If you pull the end, the bracelet will come loose.
Paracord diagram for a cobra bracelet To weave a bracelet not only for the sake of a lace, you can expand its functionality and weave into it, for example, fishing accessories: fishing line, several hooks, sinkers. Weaving stages:
- The paracord is folded in half and attached to a clasp.
- From one end of the cord you need to remove 3-5 cm of internal fibers.
- The freed space inside the cord is filled with weights, 2-3 pieces are enough.
- The cut ends are joined together with glue, the protruding threads are singed with a lighter.
Another option is possible: attach the sinkers with tape or tape to the cord so as not to violate its integrity. But the appearance of the bracelet will suffer.
Fishhooks are simply glued to electrical tape, then wrapped around the bracelet.
- The required length of paracord is measured and secured with a clasp.
- The fishing line is wound around the paracord of the required length. You can also push it inside the cord if it is not too thick. Usually 6 meters of fishing line is enough.
- Next, around these two threads the main weaving begins, numerous visual examples of which can be found on the Internet.
Anastasia Volkova
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Content
To survive in extreme conditions, a paracord bracelet is useful; you can weave it in any way, there are many patterns, the most popular is the snake. The big advantage of this accessory is the ability to quickly dismantle the bracelet and use it for other purposes. However, it also looks very interesting and stylish on the hand, so you can wear it just for beauty.
What is a paracord bracelet
Now decorations are made from any available means: elastic bands, ribbons, beads, yarn, etc. Paracord occupies a special place in this industry. It is a very light rope made of polymer. The fibers that make up this rope are made from nylon cord. Thanks to this manufacturing method, the material is smooth. Initially, rope was used for military purposes, for example, it was used to make parachute rafters. Later, the material began to be used for other purposes: for hunters, belts, decorative survival bracelets.
What is it needed for
A paracord survival bracelet is necessary for people who may be in an extreme situation: military operations, travel, hunting, tourism, etc. It would seem, what benefit will a trinket on your hand bring? The point is that a paracord bracelet unravels very quickly: in 30-40 seconds, and the rope can be long (3-4 meters, depending on the type of weaving).
Paracord is a very strong cord, so it can be useful in many situations. However, what you cannot do with this rope is lift a person; it cannot withstand too much weight. The cord can be used for the following purposes:
- for survival: building a shelter, making a spear, a raft, wrapping a weapon handle, making fire by friction;
- for obtaining food: making traps for animals and birds, hanging food, bow string, fishing line;
- for providing medical care: making splints, suturing wounds, tourniquets, stretchers;
- for equipment: equipment repair, production of fastenings, light cable;
- for clothing repair;
- for fixation or as handcuffs, etc.
Types of weaving paracord bracelets
There are two main types of shape: round and square. Patterns for weaving paracord bracelets are presented in a wide variety. The main weavings are cobra, monkey fist, snake, scolopendra:
- The cobra is a beautiful decoration with an interesting relief. The shape of the bracelet is convex, round, reminiscent of the body of a snake. The length of the rope can reach 5 m.
- The monkey's fist visually resembles the relief of a basketball. It turns out to be a ball, the length of the rope can be up to 1 m or exceed 3-4 meters of paracord. This ball is used as part of a bracelet or keychain. To keep it floating on the water, a hollow plastic ball is placed inside.
- The snake can be woven from one or two colors, the length of the rope is about 3-4 meters. Visually it resembles a braid, of small thickness.
- Scolopendra is a two-color bracelet in which the threads alternate across the product. It quickly disassembles, and the rope is approximately 3.5 m long.
How to weave a paracord bracelet
Weaving paracord bracelets is easy, it is only important to follow clear instructions. To make an accessory, you need to choose the right material. For military purposes, high-quality paracord is produced that meets all standards, but civilians may not be sold exactly the product that buyers are counting on. To distinguish high-quality material from a fake, you need to check it:
- Paracord should be soft.
- If you set fire to a rope, the fire will be smoky with black smoke, and the smell will be of burnt plastic.
- When burning, the sheath of the rope will burn separately from the core and faster.
The most popular is the survival bracelet. You need to follow a number of recommendations to make a paracord bracelet with your own hands:
- The ends of the rope are burned so that they do not unravel.
- 4 loops are woven into the slot of the fastener.
- A loop is made from a long piece of paracord, which is pulled through the four described in the previous paragraph. It is stretched to a length of 5 cm, and then tightened from right to left.
- 4 loops are loosened a little, and then three loops between them are pulled out with tweezers, and the fourth remains on the side.
- Thread the cord through 4 loops, as in step 3.
- The first row is completed by tightening the loops on the right under the left parts: not very tight, without twisting.
- Points 3 and 4 are repeated until complete.
- When the required length is available, the main cord is pulled through the last row.
- To complete the weaving, the end of the rope is pulled through a loop, burned or tied in a knot.
Watchband
You can make a watch strap from paracord in much the same way as a bracelet, the types of weaving are the same. The only difference is the place that will be attached to the dial. The work consists of stages:
- Measure your wrist.
- Attach a clamp to the doubled rope at one end, then pull it through the holes of the clock and fix the second clamp at the required distance.
- Repeat point 2 again.
- Next, weaving is carried out on two main threads with the help of additional ones.
- You can use several different colors.
Snake
The narrow, elegant bracelet is a snake. It will require about 2 m of rope depending on the size of the hand and the length of the bracelet. Stages of work:
- The rope is folded in half and pulled through a clip or other fastener used.
- The loose ends pass through the loop and are tightened.
- Insert the second part of the clasp, measure the required length of the cord depending on the size of your wrist and secure.
- Then knots are woven, similar to a pigtail: the right free rope is hooked from the inside under the left main one, and the left one under the right one.
- Repeat the knots the required number of times.
- Trim and singe the ends.
In light of the latest thoughts of HC “Saboteur” and for propaganda purposes, the next article will be devoted to paracord survival bracelets. Seemingly an ordinary and elegant thing, the bracelet has become firmly established in wide circles of survivalists, extreme sports enthusiasts and others who are “as the earth carries them.” But the main thing in it, of course, is not beauty, but functionality. Let's take a little look at this important subject in case of PD.
Material of manufacture
The bracelet itself is made of paracord (a special sling), cleverly woven by the author of the product.
Paracord weaving
Paracord is a lightweight nylon rope with a core, a very durable thing, some samples can easily withstand a person (up to 250 kg). It was originally used as a parachute line, but smart people have found many other uses for it.
Application of the bracelet
External functionality
Nowadays, the paracord bracelet can be seen in both military and civilian environments. Watch and compass straps, waist belts, key chains, knife handles, various fasteners and even dog collars - a beautifully woven paracord survival bracelet finds its application in a wide variety of applications.
Paracord collar
What's inside?
But this is only its external side. The main value for a seasoned survivalist is its contents - when unwoven, the length of a strong rope on average ranges from 3 to 5 meters. In especially difficult conditions, such a gift can play an important role, and given its dual functionality, it is simply an irreplaceable thing in a camping kit.
In addition, some useful items in nature can be woven inside a survival bracelet (for example, fishing gear, a wire saw). In appearance, you may be an ordinary peaceful butterfly lover, but when you get into the forest, you instantly turn into an evil enemy of nature, crushing centuries-old trees on your way - and it’s all about an ordinary small bracelet.
Wire saw inside bracelet
I want more
Special factory models of bracelets pay special attention even to the buckle clasps, for example, by installing a flint, knife, whistle, cyanide capsule. Such decisions add even more desire to purchase a bracelet.
You can weave a name tag into a paracord bracelet, a kind of replacement for wearing tags around your neck. We, ordinary peaceful hardball players from distant harsh lands, have also approached a similar idea to create club symbols. I hope we will publish the results of this project a little later after production.
Token in bracelet
How to do it?
Well, since we’re talking about manufacturing, it’s worth noting that you can (and probably should) make a survival bracelet with your own hands exclusively for yourself. There are plenty of ways to make a bracelet yourself on the Internet, and an entire article could be devoted to this. If you get your hands on paracord, perhaps this article will see the light of day, but for now we offer one of the options for weaving a bracelet.